Counterpoint: is it ethical to order “do not resuscitate” without patient consent?

CA Manthous - Chest, 2007 - journal.chestnet.org
While beneficence, nonmalfeasance, and justice are cornerstones of medical bioethics, 1
respect of patient autonomy is arguably the ascendant ethical principle of American
medicine. A preponderance of patients believe they should consent to health-care
interventions, 2, 3 and 90% of patients wish to choose or reject CPR during hospitalization. 3
Even though it is most often ineffective, CPR is the only medical intervention that may affect
the outcome of cardiopulmonary arrest. Respect of autonomy requires that, when possible …