Perspectives of Iranian Medical Nurses about Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Orders

To study the attitudes of Iranian medical nurses towards the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) decision. In this cross-sectional study, 200 nurses working in Imam Khomeini Hospital, (affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran) were enrolled. They answered to a questionnaire with two sections: the first one consisted of demographic questions (age, sex, and level of education), and the second included questions about DNR orders derived from a previously conducted study by Hosaka et al. A total of 168 questionnaires returned (response rate (RR=85%)). About 61% felt that DNR order is sporadically necessary. Near 66% had participated in DNRs in their practice and the most case was the patient with terminal cancer. The most common person who decided DNR orders were physicians. Sixty seven percent believed that DNR cards are useful for establishing in clinical settings. As DNR is not routine in Iran, enrollment of nurses in this decision should be clearly defined.