[Guidelines on do-not-resuscitate orders in Norwegian hospitals].

BACKGROUND

All somatic hospitals in Norway should have guidelines on do-not-resuscitate orders, according to a directive issued by the Norwegian Board of Health in 2002.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All 31 Norwegian hospital trusts were asked to send in such guidelines. 20 submitted guidelines were assessed, analysed and compared according to 19 questions.

RESULTS

The guidelines have various contents. Key aspects such as indications, definitions, participation in decision-making by patients and relatives, strategies for conflict resolution, competence to consent, and advanced directives are in many guidelines either not commented, or described in an ambiguous manner. There are minor differences between the guidelines developed before and after the legal directive was issued in 2002, but legal provisions have become more heavily emphasized.

INTERPRETATION

National guidelines should be developed to clarify key questions and contribute to more consistent practice concerning do-not-resuscitate orders.