DNR/DNI Orders After Suicide Attempts

Decisions regarding Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) and Do Not Intubate (DNI) orders following suicide attempts present a complex intersection of ethical, clinical, and legal considerations. While patient autonomy is a cornerstone of medical ethics, its application in cases of attempted suicide, particularly when patients may be experiencing acute psychiatric distress, raises significant questions about capacity, intent, and the role of medical professionals in preserving life. Yet there is a lack of empirical research on best practices for navigating DNR/DNI decisions in this context. This pilot study aims to explore how ethics consultants, psychiatrists, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) clinicians approach DNR/DNI orders after suicide attempts. This project will identify the core ethical and clinical tensions surrounding DNR/DNI decisions after suicide attempts. It will also generate realworld insights to inform the development of empirically grounded best practice guidelines to support ethically sound and clinically appropriate decision-making in these complex situations.