Ethical dilemmas during cardiac arrest incidents in the patient's home

The majority (70%) of cardiac arrests in Sweden are experienced in the patient's home. In these situations, the ambulance nurses may encounter several ethical dilemmas.

The aim was to investigate Swedish specialist ambulance nurses' experiences of ethical dilemmas associated with cardiac arrest situations in adult patients' homes.

Nine interviews were conducted with specialist ambulance nurses at four different ambulance stations in the southeast region of Sweden. Data were analysed using content analysis.

Ethical principles mandated by the Swedish Research Council were carefully followed during the whole process.

Two main themes with six sub-themes were identified: The scene - creating a sheltered space for caring and Ethical decision-making. The results showed that ethical dilemmas might occur when trying to create a sheltered space to preserve the patients' integrity and dignity. A dilemma could be whether or not to invite significant others to be present during the medical treatment. Ethical decision-making was dependent on good communication and ethical reasoning among all parties. In certain situations, decisions were made not to commence or to terminate care despite guidelines. The decision was guided by combining the medical/nursing perspectives and ethical competence with respect to the human being's dignity and a will to do good for the patient. The nurses followed the voice of their heart and had the courage to be truly human.

The ambulance nurses were guided by their ethos, including the basic motive to care for the patient, to alleviate suffering, to confirm the patient's dignity and to serve life and health.