Resuscitation orders and withdrawal of life-prolonging treatment
What a not-for-CPR order and a goals-of-care plan do and don't mean, CPR outcomes that inform the decision, who decides under Australian law and ANZCOR guidance, and the practical steps for withdrawing ventilation, NIV, dialysis, nutrition and ICDs.
Tier 1Topic overview
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- A resuscitation plan or goals-of-care plan records a medical decision about treatment limits. It isn't a consent form.
- Not for CPR means only that: no compressions, defibrillation or intubation at arrest. It isn't "not for treatment".
- Doctors needn't offer CPR that can't work, but must discuss and document the decision. ANZCOR warns against making a DNAR order without consulting the patient or their substitute decision-maker.
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Sources
- National Consensus Statement: Essential elements for safe and high-quality end-of-life care (2nd edition)AU/NZAustralian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2023
- ANZCOR Guidance Statement 10.5.3: Legal and ethical issues related to resuscitation - withholding and withdrawal of resuscitationAU/NZAustralian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation, Current at November 2026
- Therapeutic Guidelines: Palliative Care, version 5AU/NZTherapeutic Guidelines Limited, 2024 (version 5, December 2024)
- Reisfield GM et al. Survival in cancer patients undergoing in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a meta-analysis. Resuscitation 2006;71:152-160Resuscitation, 2006
- Lampert R et al. HRS expert consensus statement on the management of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices in patients nearing end of life or requesting withdrawal of therapy. Heart Rhythm 2010;7:1008-1026Heart Rhythm Society, 2010
- Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (Qld), s 63AAU/NZQueensland Government
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Turnstile bot check on sign-in and signed-out feedback