Improvement in the hospital organisation of CPR training and outcome after cardiac arrest in Sweden during a 10-year period

• Published in: Resuscitation 2011-04, Vol.82 (4), p.431-435
• Main Authors: Aune, S, Eldh, M, Engdahl, J, Holmberg, S, Lindqvist, J, Svensson, L, Oddby, E, Herlitz, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - education; CPR training; Education; Emergency; Emergency and intensive cardiocirculatory care. Cardiogenic shock. Coronary intensive care; Follow-Up Studies; Health Personnel - education; Heart Arrest - mortality; Heart Arrest - therapy; Hospital Administration - education; Hospitals; Humans; In hospital cardiac arrest; Intensive care medicine; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Retrospective Studies; Survival; Sweden - epidemiology; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0300-9572; 1873-1570; 1873-1570
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2010.11.021

Abstract Aim To describe (a) changes in the organisation of training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the treatment of cardiac arrest in hospital in Sweden and (b) the clinical achievement, i.e. survival and cerebral function, among survivors after in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in Sweden. Methods Aspects of CPR training among health care providers (HCPs) and treatment of IHCA in Sweden were evaluated in 3 national surveys (1999, 2003 and 2008). Patients with IHCA are recorded in a National Register covering two thirds of Swedish hospitals. Results The proportion of hospitals with a CPR coordinator increased from 45% in 1999 to 93% in 2008. The majority of co-ordinators are nurses. The proportions of hospitals with local guidelines for acceptable delays from cardiac arrest to the start of CPR and defibrillation increased from 48% in 1999 to 88% in 2008. The proportion of hospitals using local defibrillation outside intensive care units prior to arrival of rescue team increased from 55% in 1999 to 86% in 2008. During the past 4 years in Sweden, survival to hospital discharge has been 29%. Among survivors, 93% have a cerebral performance category (CPC) score of I or II, indicating acceptable cerebral function. Conclusion During the last 10 years, there was a marked improvement in CPR training and treatment of IHCA in Sweden. During the past 4 years, survival after IHCA is high and the majority of survivors have acceptable cerebral function.