CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) is the heroics employed when a person collapses and stops breathing. CPR can take place anywhere, but is often required in hospitalized patients who have unexpected deterioration.
Although CPR protocols are standardized among hospitals and doctors, how long to continue CPR is based on the judgement of the physician ‘running the code’…and this can vary. A recent study reviewing resuscitation efforts in over 64,000 patients demonstrated improved outcomes in hospitals that spent more time performing CPR.
So…rather than being a futile effort in sick patients, it appears that spending more time to ‘make sure’ that resuscitation has failed is a critical judgement. With this study, it is presumed the CPR will go on for longer time in more hospitals, and will provide improved outcomes.
Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/05/health/research/doctors-may-be-ending-cpr-efforts-too-soon-study-says.html?hp