Overcoming barriers to in-hospital cardiac arrest documentation

(1) To describe the introduction of standardised cardiac arrest documentation to Auckland City Hospital, highlighting how barriers to using the Utstein template were overcome. (2) To determine the adequacy of documentation of cardiac arrest time intervals.

A retrospective audit of cardiac arrest documentation for a 3-year period following the introduction of a standard documentation form.

There was an initial improvement in use of the template (29% (95%CI 22-37%) to 88% (95%CI 82-92%), p<0.001) after identification of barriers and implementation of tailored strategies. Use of the template declined (77%, 95%CI 69-84%, p=0.023) after the key facilitator left the hospital. Time interval documentation ranged from 66% (95%CI 54-77%) for tracheal intubation to 91% (95%CI 80-93%) for first dose of adrenaline (epinephrine).

Designated 'hands-off' senior clinicians were required for accurate documentation of time intervals. Time interval documentation was sub-optimal and further efforts are required to improve this. Transfer of ownership beyond the key facilitator was integral to sustainability of the process. Future reports of in-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes should include baseline information on the adequacy of documentation of time intervals.