Patients with DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders more likely to die after surgery

A just-released study by Yale University finds that patients who had DNR orders were more likely to die after a surgery.  Yes, these patients were more likely to be sicker, but the study's author found that controlling for sickness (and other factors) did not even the scales. One of the researchers, Dr Roman, was quoted in the Courant:

"Of course the question is 'Why is that?'" she said. There may be other "non-spoken" factors, she said.


"Do doctors treat them differently? Do they try less hard? I don't think this really answers that question, but it does raise those questions."

The Courant also stated:

"The study further found that patients with DNR orders also suffered a greater percentage of complications due to surgery and required longer hospital stays."

Here's a concise definition of DNR by the Courant:

"Do Not Resuscitate is a legal document signed by either a patient or the patient's familiy, stipulating that 'extraordinary means' — such as putting the patient on a respiratory machine — should not be administered should the patient suffer a cardiac or respiratory arrest."

Here's a link to the article if you'd like to learn more about it:

http://www.courant.com/health/connecticut/hc-weir-do-not-resuscitate-0419-20110418,0,247026.story