Resuscitation
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Comparative Study
In-hospital cardiac arrest: is outcome related to the time of arrest?
Whether outcome from in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is poorer when it occurs during the night remains controversial. This study examined the relationship between CPR during the various hospital shifts and survival to discharge. ⋯ Although unwitnessed arrest is more prevalent during night shift, resuscitation during this shift is associated with poorer outcomes independently of witnessed status. Further research is required into the causes for the increased mortality observed after night shift resuscitation.
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The purpose of this study was to determine how long it takes rescuers to complete five cycles of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using a compression-ventilation (CV) ratio of 30:2. ⋯ Five cycles of CPR using a CV ratio of 30:2 takes approximately 1 min 45 s to complete. Using this CV ratio, trained individuals find it difficult to count out five cycles of CPR. It may be simpler to train individuals to give CPR for a specified time (2 min) instead of a specific number of cycles.
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The lay public have limited knowledge of the symptoms of myocardial infarction ("heart attack"), and inaccurate perceptions of cardiac arrest survival rates. Levels of CPR training and willingness to intervene in cardiac emergencies are also low. ⋯ Awareness and knowledge of CPR, and reactions to cardiac emergencies, reflect relatively low levels of CPR training in London. Publicising cardiac arrest survival figures may be instrumental in prompting members of the public to train in CPR and motivating those who have been trained to intervene in a cardiac emergency.