Do Not Resuscitate Practices in ICU: A Descriptive Study

BACKGROUND: Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders represent one of the most ethically complex decisions in the intensive care unit (ICU). Despite their significance, the implementation and communication of DNR decisions remain inconsistent, particularly in regions like the Middle East where data are limited. OBJECTIVES: To describe current DNR practices in a tertiary ICU in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the frequency, timing, context of issuance, and family involvement in DNR decisions. METHOD: This retrospective descriptive study included adult patients (16 years or older) who were discharged from a large Ministry of Health ICU in central Saudi Arabia between January 1 and March 31, 2025, and had a documented DNR order. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and DNR decision details were extracted from electronic medical records. RESULTS: Of 889 ICU discharges, 168 patients died, and 77 (45.8%) had a DNR order. The average age of DNR patients was 51 (22) years; 62.3% were male. Common diagnoses included sepsis/septic shock (28.6%), malignancies (14.3%), and ischemic stroke (13%). Only 24.7% of DNR orders were issued within 48 hours of ICU admission, while 62.3% followed a successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Family involvement in the DNR decision was documented in only 22.1% of cases. All secondary outcomes late DNR issuance, post-CPR DNR decisions, and limited family involvement were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DNR orders in this ICU were often delayed, issued reactively after CPR, and made without informing or involving families. These findings highlight the need for timely, proactive, and communicative end-of-life planning. Institutional policies and clinician training are essential to promote ethically sound and patient-centered DNR practices.