In-hospital cardiac arrest: is outcome related to the time of arrest?

Background: 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.

Methods: CPR attempts occurring in a tertiary hospital with a dedicated, certified resuscitation team were recorded prospectively (Utstein template guidelines) over 24 months.

Performance of department staff in the window between discovery of collapse to cardiac arrest team arrival.

Introduction: Guideline-directed therapy during the first minutes of resuscitation may be life saving. This study assessed the performance of American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines by trained departmental staff in the period between discovery of collapse and emergency team arrival.

Methods: Over a period of 24 months, departmental performance prior to the arrival of the emergency team (median 180 s) was assessed by debriefings conducted within 24h of each event in a 740-bed tertiary hospital with a dedicated certified resuscitation team.