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In-hospital cardiac arrest: characteristics and outcome after implementation of systematic practice-oriented training
Emilie Ramberg1, Emil Wolsk2, Jeanie McAleer Elkjær1
1Intensive Care Unit, Holbæk Hospital, Holbæk, Denmark.
Insights
Improving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality through staff education did not significantly impact survival rates for in-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) patients in this study. Further research is needed to enhance patient outcomes after cardiac arrest.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Medical Education
Background:
- Survival rates following in-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) remain critically low.
- The quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) directly influences patient survival outcomes.
- Effective CPR and do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) decision-making requires specialized training for healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical impact of a hospital-wide CPR education intervention on return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and 21-day survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest (CA).
Main Methods:
- This retrospective study evaluated outcomes before and after a systematic CPR education program for all healthcare professionals.
- Data included 33 in-hospital cardiac arrests (CAs) in the 12 months prior and 176 CAs in the 36 months following the intervention.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference was observed in return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or 21-day survival rates between the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods.
- Despite a systematic educational intervention, the overall clinical impact on survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest was not significant.
Conclusions:
- A hospital-wide CPR education initiative did not yield significant improvements in survival outcomes for patients experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest.
- The findings suggest that current CPR education strategies may need re-evaluation to effectively improve patient survival rates after cardiac arrest.
Abstract:
Survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) has been reported to be surprisingly low without any major improvement during the last decade. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality affects survival after CA, and specific education is necessary for health care professionals participating in CPR. Decisions regarding CPR and do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) orders remain demanding, as does including patients in the process. Addressed training regarding CPR/DNAR orders is necessary to improve the CPR/DNAR decision process used by physicians. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the clinical impact (return of spontaneous circulation and 21-day survival after CA) of an intervention within one single hospital, including a systematic education of all health care professionals in CPR. In total, there were 33 in-hospital CAs before (12 months) and 176 after (36 months) the intervention. No significant difference was found between the 2 calendar periods.
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