There is another way: empowering frontline staff caring for acutely unwell adults

It is estimated that only 17% of patients survive an in-hospital cardiac arrest. Medical evidence indicates that many patients show signs of deterioration during the 24 h period prior to their cardiac arrest.

At Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (SRFT) 135 patients (outside critical care areas) suffered a cardiac arrest between March 2007 and April 2008.

Quality improvement method-The breakthrough series (BTS) collaborative approach, change package-reliable manual vital signs, nurse-led response to the deteriorating patient, code red, structured ward round, ceilings of care, nurse-led do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNA-CPR) protocol and allocated roles.

The project was delivered over two phases with a total of 23 wards (12 wards in Phase One and 11 wards in Phase Two). Frontline teams worked to develop changes with the aim of reducing cardiac arrests by 50%.

The primary outcome measure was the number of cardiac arrests per 1000 admissions outside of critical care areas. Process and balancing measures were also used to evaluate the impact of the intervention.

The results showed a positive relationship between the change package and a reduction of 41% in cardiac arrests outside of critical care areas from the baseline period (April 2007-March 2008) to December 2012. The BTS model has the potential to reduce cardiac arrests without the need for initial large-scale financial investment.