Resuscitation
-
Determining patients' cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) preferences in the emergency department (ED) is common practice but the stability of these preferences and their recollection by patients has been questioned. Therefore, this study assessed the stability and recall of CPR preferences of older patients at and following ED discharge. ⋯ In this study, one-in-three older ED patients who initially expressed definite resuscitation preferences had changed their minds at one month follow-up. Preferences were more stable at six months but only a minority were able to recall their preferences.
-
Perceptions about expected outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) influence treatment decisions, and there is a need for updated evidence about outcomes for the elderly. ⋯ Medical history was the most frequent reason for EMS not to start or continue resuscitation, indicating a need for a discussion about, and documentation of, advance directives in this age group. When EMS attempted resuscitation, most survivors had a good neurological outcome, both in healthcare institutions and at home.
-
We aimed to evaluate the duration and frequency of communication between EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and ED (Emergency Department) staff during handoff and the subsequent time to critical cardiac care (rhythm determination, defibrillation) using CA (cardiac arrest) video review. ⋯ There is no standardization for handoff reports from EMS to ED staff for CA patients. Using video review, we demonstrated the variable communication during handoff. Improvements to this process could reduce the time to critical cardiac care interventions.
-
We sought to describe the characteristics of at-school out-of-hospital cardiac arrests cases, subsequent basic life support, as well as ultimate patient outcomes. ⋯ At-school out-of-hospital cardiac arrests were rare in France, however demonstrated favourable prognostic features and outcomes. The use of automated external defibrillators in at-school cases, while more common than cases occurring elsewhere, should be improved.
-
The relationship between the bystander witness type and receipt of bystander CPR (BCPR) is not well understood. Herein we compared BCPR administration between family and non-family witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). ⋯ This study found differences in BCPR administration between family and non-family witnessed OHCA cases. Elucidation of witness characteristics may be useful to determine populations that would benefit most from CPR education and training.