Preliminary development of two predictive models for DNR patients in intensive care.

The purpose of this study was to identify which variables are the best predictors of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) classification and develop a model to predict the nursing care required by DNR patients in the ICU. Data collected on DNR and non-DNR patients included nursing care requirements, severity of illness, resource allocation and sociodemographic characteristics. One model identified the best predictors of a DNR classification in intensive care as the origin of admission and the severity of illness score on the day of admission to intensive care. The second model identified the best predictors of nursing care requirements for DNR patients in intensive care as the number of days spent in intensive care prior to the DNR order, the average daily resource allocation points after the DNR order, and the severity of illness score on the day the DNR order was designated.