Resuscitation – risk management implications for training and decision making

NHS trusts are required to have a resuscitation policy in place by April of this year. Chief executives were sent guidance in September 2000, to ensure that policy takes account of patients’ rights and that appropriate arrangements are in place to supervise resuscitation decisions, to audit practice and develop staff training. Existing clinical risk management standards assessed by the NHS Litigation Authority also require that staff are competent to perform basic life support whenever called upon to do so, as there is a “public expectation that clinical staff can undertake basic life support”. This article explores some of the current risk management and clinical governance issues in relation to developing and maintaining a robust policy on resuscitation that aims for high standards of practice, alleviates public concern and will be supportable within the Human Rights Act 1998.