Code Status
/ˈkoʊd ˈsteɪtəs/
Definitions
- (n.) A medical directive indicating a patient's preferences for life-sustaining treatment and resuscitation efforts, relevant in legal and healthcare contexts.
The hospital must document the patient's code status to guide emergency medical decisions.
Forms
- code status
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Though primarily medical, code status has critical legal implications concerning patient autonomy and end-of-life decision-making.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.