An eight year audit before and after the introduction of modified early warning score (MEWS) charts, of patients admitted to a tertiary referral intensive care unit after CPR

Resuscitation. 2011 Feb;82(2):150-4. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2010.09.480. Epub 2010 Nov 5.

Abstract

Aims: To determine whether cardiac arrest calls, the proportion of adult patients admitted to intensive care after CPR and their associated mortalities were reduced, in a four year period after the introduction of a 24/7 Critical Care Outreach Service and MEWS (Modified Early Warning System) Charts.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data during two four-year periods, (2002-05 and 2006-09) in a UK University Teaching Hospital Comparisons were via χ(2) test. A p value of ≤0.05 was regarded as being significant.

Results: In the second audit period, compared to the first one, the number of cardiac arrest calls relative to adult hospital admissions decreased significantly (0.2% vs. 0.4%; p<0.0001), the proportion of patients admitted to intensive care having undergone in-hospital CPR fell significantly (2% vs. 3%; p=0.004) as did the in-hospital mortality of these patients (42% vs. 52%; p=0.05).

Conclusion: The four years following the introduction of a 24/7 Critical Care Outreach Service and MEWS Charts were associated with significant reductions in the incidence of cardiac arrest calls, the proportion of patients admitted to intensive care having undergone in-hospital CPR and their in-hospital mortality.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Heart Arrest / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Male
  • Medical Audit*
  • Middle Aged
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult