Options for improving the resuscitation chain - conclusions from a study based on national data

Abstract

Background: Cardiac death in a hospital environment is a common occurrence. Identifying the causes can help in prevention, because although there are some conditions where even a perfectly performed resuscitation may not be successful, it is important to ensure that the resuscitation process is performed properly and that the patient's chance of survival does not depend on the organisation.

Objective: Our objective is to raise awareness about the possibilities to increase the effectiveness of resuscitation in healthcare institutions.

Method: Based on our research on this topic and the data that have since been entered into the NEVES system, we will present correlations, and present suggestions for improvement based on literature references and institutional good practice.

Results: Our survey revealed significant differences in institutional, departmentalal and equipment availability of cardiac resuscitation in hospital conditions in our country. It is worth for each institution to perform its own survey, but the data and the opinions of the interviewed experts suggest that there is potential for innovation in education and communication improvements in several institutions.

Discussion: Ensuring the quality of care is an important criterion for improving institutional-level performance, but improvements in equipment and human resources, training about resuscitation and the resuscitation chain, and improving institutional communication can also increase hospital performance.

Conclusion: The institutional operation of the resuscitation chain is a very complex process where good practice is not always associated with successful resuscitations. The objective of this communication is to describe the reasons behind possible failures in the resuscitation chain and to provide appropriate solutions and potentially working good practices.