The Effect of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Clinical Audit on the Patient Survival in the Emergency Room

Abstract

Background: The ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is among the most important professional skills for physicians and nurses. There is a wide difference among different countries respecting resuscitation success rate. Studies show weaknesses in performing resuscitation. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the effects of clinical audit of CPR in the emergency room based on the Situation Stabilization Model (SSM). Materials and Methods: This quasi‑experimental study was done in 2017 in the emergency room of Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Using the Adib checklist, 35 resuscitations were assessed based on the steps of clinical audit. Then, a 1‑month educational program was held for the resuscitation staffs in the study setting. Then, 35 new resuscitations were assessed using the same checklist. Finally, the results of the two measurements were compared. Results: There were significant differences between two measurement time points regarding the mean scores of different resuscitation skills (P < 0.001). Primary resuscitation success rate increased from 6 (17.1%) cases at baseline to 8 (22.9%) of the cases after the intervention. This increase was not statistically significant (P = 0.47). Conclusions: Clinical audit in the emergency room based on the SSM improves the quality and the success rate of CPR. The success rate is in our study increased. Furthermore, the reported data were not statistically significant for improving the success rate; it is clinically important. Because primary resuscitation success rate increased from 6 (17.1%) cases at baseline to 8 (22.9%) cases after the intervention. These findings highlight the necessity and the importance of the clinical audit of care services as well as the implementation of educational interventions based on the existing weaknesses. Given the great importance and sensitivity of resuscitation, health‑care staffs need to receive regular theoretical and practical in‑service resuscitation‑related training.