Resuscitation
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Review Comparative Study
Emergency department factors associated with survival after sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the US. Recent innovations in post-arrest care have been demonstrated to increase survival. However, little is known about the impact of emergency department (ED) and hospital characteristics on survival to hospital admission and ultimate outcome. ⋯ An estimated 175,000 cases of SCA present to or occur in US EDs each year. Percutaneous coronary intervention capability, ED volume, and teaching status were associated with higher survival to hospital admission. Emergency departments with higher annual SCA volume had lower survival rates, possibly because they transfer fewer patients. An improved understanding of the contribution of ED care to survival following SCA may be useful in advancing our understanding of how best to organize a system of care to ensure optimal outcomes for patients with SCA.