Provider Perspectives on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Frail Surgical Patients

Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and geriatricians hold differing views on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for frail surgical patients. While judgment on CPR appropriateness depends on multiple factors including patient goals, comorbidities, and arrest cause, moral distress can arise from performing resuscitation in such patients. The study also highlights biases like ableism and ageism affecting clinicians’ perspectives and emphasizes the inadequacy of evidence for risk stratification of frail patients undergoing CPR. The divergent views impede goal-concordant care, necessitating further research on risk stratification, patient-centered outcomes, and addressing potential biases.