Practices and perspectives in cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempts and the use of do not attempt resuscitation orders: A cross-sectional survey in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Objective:The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempts, the perspectives of junior doctors involved in those attempts and the use of do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) orders.Methods:A cross-sectional telephone survey aimed at intern doctors working in all medical/surgical wards in government hospitals. Interns were interviewed based on the above objective.Results:A total of 42 CPR attempts from 82 hospitals (338 wards) were reported, 3 of which were excluded as the participating doctor was unavailable for interview. 16 (4.7%) wards had at least 1 patient with an informal DNAR order. 42 deaths were reported. 8 deaths occurred without a known resuscitation attempt, of which 6 occurred on wards with an informal DNAR order in place. 39 resuscitations were attempted. Survival at 24 h was 2 (5.1%). In 5 (13%) attempts, CPR was the only intervention reported. On 25 (64%) occasions, doctors were “not at all” or “only a little bit surprised” by the arrest.Conclusions:CPR attempts before death in hospitals across Sri Lanka is prevalent. DNAR use remains uncommon.

An Open-Access Data Set of Hospitalized Cardiac Arrest Patients: Machine Learning-Based Predictions Using Clinical Documentation

“…The ischemic coronary illness causes over 70% of cardiac arrests and is the leading cause of cardiac dysfunction. Risk factors include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, age, and family history of coronary diseases [2]. In Sri Lanka, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) account for a high mortality rate of 534 deaths per 100,000 [3].…”