Resuscitation resources for health professionals

Developed by

Queensland Health, in consultation with:

• government agencies
• Queensland Coroners
• health professionals
• health services.

Acute resuscitation plan (ARP)

An Acute Resuscitation Plan (ARP) is a medical order initiated and completed by a medical officer through the completion of the ARP form SW065 Acute Resuscitation Plan.

The form is authorised by the most senior medical practitioner available and provides information about:

• the patient’s health condition
• medically appropriate resuscitation management plans in the event of an emergency
• treatment that is available and is recommended
• substitute decision-maker(s) if the patient loses capacity to make their own health decisions
• preferences about life-sustaining measures, including whether it is medically appropriate to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

If you don’t work in Queensland’s public sector, make sure you read the legislative, legal and indemnity information first.

Quick guide and cover sheet

Read the ARP form SW065 example and quick guide (PDF 646 kB) before filling in the form.

Make sure you attach the ARP cover sheet (PDF 258 kB) when transferring patients between health services, facilities, or to their home.

Clinical guideline

Acute resuscitation plan (ARP) clinical guideline (PDF 1939 kB). Please note: This clinical guideline document is presently under review.

Legislative, legal and indemnity resources

The Queensland Health ARP form has been developed as a clinical support tool for use in ‘public sector health services’ and ‘public sector health facilities’ as defined by Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld). The ARP form includes references to legal considerations, policies, indemnities, procedures and conditions of use which may apply only to usage in ‘public sector health services’ and ‘public sector health facilities’. For usage in other services and facilities, these considerations may not apply and/or other considerations may apply, for which independent legal advice or other professional advice is recommended. While usage of the ARP form by other services and facilities is authorised by Queensland Health, it is the responsibility of medical practitioners and other health professionals completing the ARP form or using a completed ARP form, without limitation, to independently and adequately satisfy themselves of all relevant matters to the standards applicable at law. To the fullest extent permissible by law, Queensland Health excludes all warranties, representations and liability in relation to the use of this ARP form.

• Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld)
• The National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards
• Powers of Attorney Act 1998 (Qld)
• Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (Qld)
• Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld)
• Mental Health Act 2016 (Qld)
• Criminal Code 1899 (Qld)

Further information

• Advance care planning including the role of health professionals and the process to follow
• Clinical practice guidelines: Queensland Ambulance Service
• Withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining measures: decision making framework (PDF, 1.6MB) provided by the Office of the Public Guardian
• End of life law for clinicians: Education and information for clinicians and medical students about the law relating to end of life decision-making
• Consent to provide health care to adults flowchart (PDF 1995 kB)
• Withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining measures Legal considerations for adult patients (PDF 177 kB)
• Informed decision-making in healthcare guide: 2nd edition (PDF 1108 kB)

Queensland Health staff may also search QHEPS for quick reference guides about creating ARP in the ACP Tracker via The Viewer and creating an ARP/PARP in ieMR.