Mastering the Code Status Conversation

It can be difficult to hear as a patient or family member, and it can be equally uncomfortable to start the conversation as a provider around resuscitation status. Effective communication strategies for broaching code status and resuscitation discussions rely on a step-wise, compassionate, and goal-oriented approach. There are some simple strategies that can be followed to have these discussions, as much as possible, before a patient is critically ill, scared, and not cognitively at their best, in the hospital.