Table 4

Do not attempt resuscitate decisions and escalation

VariablesSuspected sepsis
(n=509)
DNAR in place on presentation, n(%)
 Yes113 (22.2)
 No318 (62.5)
 Not documented78 (15.3)
DNAR discussed in the ED, n(%)
 Yes, and implemented15 (2.9)
 Yes, and already in place9 (1.8)
 Yes, and not implemented2 (0.4)
 Considered by ED clinician2 (0.4)
 Yes, by the medical/ICU team11 (2.2)
 No documented discussion or form470 (92.3)
Escalation of care (explicit), n(%)
 Ward level care decision by ED team25 (4.9)
 Ward-level care decision by medical team5 (1.0)
 Full escalation44 (8.6)
 For early medical review2 (0.4)
 Under palliative care team8 (1.6)
 Not documented425 (83.5)
ICU decisions, n(%)
 Considered ICU, but decision for ward level care by team17 (3.4)
 Decision for ICU referral if not improving3 (0.6)
 Discussed with ICU:
 Admitted under medical team4 (0.8)
 For treatment/medical review initially2 (0.4)
 Referred to ICU33 (6.5)
 Seen by ICU team, and decision for level 0 care8 (1.6)
 Seen by ICU team, and decision for level 1 care1 (0.2)
 Seen by ICU team, and decision for level 2 care13 (2.6)
 Seen by ICU team, and decision for level 3 care9 (1.8)
 Referred to ICU by medical team2 (0.4)
 Not needed*388 (76.2)
 Not documented62 (12.2)
  • *Included records where it was explicitly documented that the plan was to transfer to ward or specialty referral, with no specific ceiling of care reasons documented. Where this was not written or if there was any ambiguity then the record was not included in this category.

  • DNAR, do not attempt resuscitation; ED, emergency department; ICU, intensive care unit.