DNACPR - Discharge Letters

A recent trust audit showed the majority of new DNACPR decisions made during hospital admission are not being communicated to general practitioners on discharge letters. The accurate communication of DNACPR status of patients to primary care is vital therefore, a section on the discharge letter template is being implemented, which will require an answer regarding DNACPR status. 

Hopefully, this means new DNACPR status’ and existing DNACPR status on admission which is still present on discharge, is communicated to GPs. This will not affect ED & paediatric discharge letters.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If discharge letters are completed whilst the patient is still in hospital, you should be able to see the ‘DNACPR’ status on V6/Meditech. If the discharge letter is completed once the patient has left hospital/the electronic system, this status will NOT automatically appear and you will have to look through the notes or through the ‘order history’ to see if a ‘DNACPR’ form was put in electronically during admission.

Please email: gobini.mohan2@nhs.net if you have any questions about this.