When can CPR be withheld?

Virtually all hospitals have policies which describe circumstances under which CPR can be withheld. Two general situations arise which justify withholding CPR:

• when CPR is judged to be of no medical benefit (also known as "medical futility"; see below), and
  
• when the patient with intact decision making capacity (or when lacking such capacity, someone designated to make decisions for them) clearly indicates that he / she does not want CPR, should the need arise.