What is ‘fake’ CPR, and why do doctors sometimes do it?

As this video points out, many TV depictions of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) avoid the brutality of CPR. The heart is roughly 2 inches below the skin; compressions need to be hard and can easily break ribs, cause liver lacerations and lung hemorrhages, especially in frail elderly patients.
Even when done properly, brain damage can result. Studies show that less than 25% of patients who receive CPR in a hospital setting survive and get discharged.  That number is much lower for those already near the end of life.
A 2020 study of 237 respondents (1/2 of whom were medical residents) found that:
-69% of surveyed clinicians reported a slow code had been performed on a patient under their care at some point
-Over 1/2 of them had seen one in the last year.
-Over 1/2 of ICU physicians and nurses believe “slow codes” could be ethical.

Legal pressures combined with family (and perhaps patient) emotions have resulted in the “hidden” practice of “slow codes,” “show codes,” or “short codes.”  These types of codes are deliberate attempts to “put on a show” of attempting to save someone’s life when the clinician believes the code would be medically futile and/or cause more harm than good.

This 20 minute video examines the ethical issues around this little discussed practice.