There is significant variation in survival rates after in-hospital cardiac arrest care. It is not clear whether better care is associated to better outcomes.

Hospital performance was assessed using six recommendations standardized for American hospitals participating in the program “Get with the Guidelines-Resuscitation”. 

The analysis included 149551 patients presenting in-hospital cardiac arrest in 447 centers between the years 2000 and 2012. The centers with best performance according to these guidelines also shown longer survival rates after resuscitation. Following cardiac arrest, for each 10% increase in hospital performance, chances of survival increased by 18%.  

Conclusion

Assistance quality based on the existing evidence on cardiopulmonary resuscitation varies largely throughout American hospitals and is associated to longer survival in patients presenting both shockable and non-shockable rhythms.

Monique L. Anderson
2014-11-17

Original title: Association between hospital performance and patient outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest care.