When is Dead, Dead? The Ethics of Resuscitation in Emergency Care

Each year thousands of people suffer a cardiac arrest. Technology, care provider education, and emergency services access have made it possible to successfully resuscitate many patients. The outcome however, may not always be positive for the patient or their family. This article looks at the ethics of resuscitation and how to determine when to start and stop resuscitation so that patients, families, and emergency care providers may make informed and acceptable decisions related to resuscitation and its potential outcomes.