Podcast 6 - On Death, Dying and DNR

Pulmcast hosts Jeremy and John interview a physician, Craig, about code status and advanced care planning. The discussion begins with a common ICU scenario and quickly moves to strategies for efficient communication with family members regarding a patient's condition. Craig explains the rationale behind separating code status from broader goals of care, advocating for the use of DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) over A&D (Allow Natural Death) for clarity, and the elimination of the term "partial code." The conversation explores the nuances of end-of-life discussions, the importance of the Georgia POLST (Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Therapies) initiative, and the roles of various healthcare providers in facilitating these crucial conversations. The podcast concludes with a look at the next steps for integrating the Georgia POLST into the hospital system, aiming to improve patient and provider satisfaction with advanced care planning.