Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) orders have been shown to be independently associated with patients receiving fewer treatments, reduced admission to intensive care and worse outcomes even after accounting for known confounders. The mechanisms by which they influence practice have not previously been studied. Objectives: To present a rich qualitative description of the use of the DNACPR form in a hospital ward setting and explore what influence it has on the everyday care of patients.
