Acute resuscitation plan (ARP) information for patients

An Acute Resuscitation Plan (ARP) form is a form that your doctor completes after they have had discussions with you or your substitute decision-maker(s) about your preferences for emergency treatment including resuscitation planning. It outlines what the emergency teams should do if you suddenly deteriorate and become critically unwell.

These discussions are an opportunity for you to ensure that your views, wishes and preferences about medical treatments and your end of life care are known to your doctor and documented in the medical records.

What an ARP form means to you

An ARP form means that a medical order has been made about what medical treatments would or would not be beneficial to you in an acute emergency. This usually includes whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is medically appropriate in your individual circumstance and situation.

What is in an ARP

The ARP form provides a record of the discussions between you and your doctor and includes:

• your health conditions
• the resuscitation management plan the doctors consider to be the most beneficial for you, and to which you agreed, if you suffer a critical event
• the treatments your doctor recommends if your health deteriorates
• what your views and wishes are if your health deteriorates
• who your substitute decision-maker(s) are and their contact details
• whether you have participated in advance care planning conversations or have advance care planning documents (Advance Health Directive, Enduring Power of Attorney, Statement of Choices)
• the length of time the ARP is to remain active (up to a maximum of 12 months)
• your doctor’s signature.

Getting a copy of an ARP form

The doctor completing the ARP form should provide you with a copy. If it is completed in a hospital setting a copy should be included in your discharge documentation. If you have a Care Alert Kit, you can store it inside.

The original ARP form is filed in your medical record at the location that it was completed. You can ask for a copy at any time.

ARP form reviews

An ARP is reviewed any time you are admitted to hospital, if your circumstances change, or every 12 months—whichever comes first. This process will involve discussions with you or your substitute decision-maker(s).

If you don’t agree with what is written on your ARP form

Inform your doctor immediately.

There should be no surprises in your ARP form. Your doctor must discuss the ARP with you when it is being completed.

More information

If you feel you need more information, please speak to your doctor and health care providers. They will be able to provide you with information that is specific to your circumstances.

Resuscitation resources for health professionals