In-hospital sudden cardiac arrest protocol analysis

In-hospital sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is an event that is linked to high mortality. Data analysis of SCA and the course of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) allows for its better understanding and improvement.

Analysis of cases of SCA and the procedures taken by the medical staff of University Hospital.

A retrospective analysis of 104 protocols of SCA, from May 2014 to December 2015. Actions taken by medical staff before the arrival of the resuscitation team (RT) and RT proceedings. Data are presented as median and mean ± standard deviation.

52.88% of cases were women, and their mean age was 70.82 ± 13.32 years. Resuscitation activities (basic life support: 48.08%, advance life support: 42.31%) were performed before the RT arrival, and no action was taken in 5.77% of cases. The cardiac arrest occurred most commonly in the afternoons hours, and the Emergency Room was the place of CPR in 41.35% of cases. The waiting time for RT was on average 4.47 ± 5.85 min. Non-defibrillation rhythms occurred in 79.80%, and the efficacy of resuscitation was 40%.

Resuscitation protocols should be registered not only as an important part of medical records, but also as a source of information during the CPR training of staff. The lack of rescue activities before the arrival of the RT indicates the urgent need to identify the cause of the problem and eliminate these negative behaviours.