It is a question that nearly every adult admitted to a hospital will be asked at some point in their life. “If your heart stops or you stop breathing, would you want us to attempt resuscitation?” About half the time, patients answer quickly. The other half look at us like a deer caught in headlights. Understandably so. It can be a frightening question, especially when you are already vulnerable, sick, and worried about your health.
Many people assume that being asked this question means their physician thinks something terrible is about to happen. Most of the time, that is not the case. The question is not meant to scare you. It is asked so that your health care team understands your wishes and can respect them should an emergency occur.
Unfortunately, many patients do not fully understand the difference between a code status and an advance directive. They are related, but they are not the same thing. An advance directive is a legal document, or set of documents, that allows you to appoint a health care surrogate, someone who can make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. It also allows you to document your health care wishes and values. Depending on the state, this may include a living will and other advance care planning documents. A living will goes beyond whether you want to be resuscitated. It addresses questions such as:…