Advantages of a cohort study on cardiac arrest conducted by nurses

Abstract

Objective:Identifying factors associated to survival after cardiac arrest. Method: An experience report of a cohort study conducted in a university hospital, with a consecutive sample comprised of 285 patients. Data were collected for a year by trained nurses. The training strategy was conducted through an expository dialogue lecture. Collection monitoring was carried out by nurses via telephone calls, visits to the emergency room and by medical record searches. The neurological status of survivors was evaluated at discharge, after six months and one year. Results: Of the 285 patients, 16 survived until hospital discharge, and 13 remained alive after one year, making possible to identify factors associated with survival. There were no losses in the process. Conclusion: Cohort studies help identify risks and disease outcomes. Considering cardiac arrest, they can subsidize public policies, encourage future studies and training programs for CPR, thereby improving the prognosis of patients. DESCRIPTORSHeart Arrest; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Survival Analysis; Nursing; Epidemiology; Cohort Studies. DOI: 10.1590/S0080-623420150000500008 Advantages of a cohort study on cardiac arrest conducted by nurses* Vantagens do estudo de coorte realizado por enfermeiros em parada cardiorrespiratória Ventajas del estudio de cohorte llevado a cabo por enfermeros en paro cardiorrespiratorio

Results of the implementation of integrated care after cardiorespiratory arrest in a university hospital

“…At admission, the following variables were collected: age, gender, skin color, presence of comorbidities, previous CRA events, pre-CRA neurological status, presence of consciousness, breathing and pulse at the arrival of the patient in the ER, place where the CRA occurred, if there were witnesses, presumed immediate cause, initial rhythm of CRA and interventions performed during care 5 .…”