Would you like your heart restarted if it stopped?

Radical Nurse Talk

Have you ever asked a patient about their resuscitation preferences? Or what we refer to as code status—whether they would want their heart restarted if it stopped? Most nurses have asked this question in some form during various practice encounters. While it might seem like a straightforward inquiry, there is much more beneath the surface.

In this episode, Dr. Sharyn Milnes, an Australian critical care nurse, scholar, and educator, offers valuable insights and practical guidance that will resonate with nurses everywhere. Sharyn is currently the Manager of Communication and Education for the iValidate program's clinical education and training at Barwon Health in Geelong, Australia. iValidate ("Identifying Values, Listening, and Advising High-risk Patients in Acute Care") is a unique and evidence-based Australian communication program designed to enhance conversations between healthcare teams, seriously ill patients, and their families.

In our discussion, Sharyn explores how questions about code status intersect with or can complicate efforts around advanced care planning, which is being increasingly promoted in healthcare settings. With a strong foundation in ethics and shared decision-making, Sharyn examines the language commonly used in healthcare settings—language that we often assume patients understand. She explains how important conversations can be inadvertently shut down and how treatment momentum can unintentionally send messages, shape patients' and families' understanding, and influence the decisions they make. Throughout it all, Sharyn emphasizes the profound impact that nursing communication can have, particularly through a technique she calls "a circuit breaker."

For more information and to access resources visit: radicalnursetalk.com