Advanced cardiac life support in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A case study

Abstract

Background: Public Health Center (PHC), especially in rural areas, is one of the primary healthcare facilities that have an important role in the chain of survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. Despite of limited facilities, prehospital resuscitation can be performed by optimizing the available emergency facilities and infrastructure. Purpose: To provide a comprehensive overview of the resuscitation management of OHCA patients at a PHC in East Java Province in Indonesia. Method: Case study of a 43-year-old woman who was brought to PHC by residents after suddenly losing consciousness while working. The clinical condition when the patient arrived was unresponsive, no pulse, no respiratory effort, cold extremities, and oxygen saturation of 80%, the patient was medically diagnosed as OHCA. Results: Resuscitation organization was carried out by involving 1 doctor, 2 nurses, and 1 midwife. The patient was given basic life support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) by optimizing diagnostic tools, airway, breathing, circulation, and available drugs. The patient successfully Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) after the third cycle and successfully reached the referral hospital to receive further life support. Conclusion: ACLS in the prehospital setting at PHC in Indonesia has a potential to be performed. Inter-professional collaboration, airway, breathing, and circulation optimization in providing BLS and ACLS on OHCA patients can increase the patient's chance of getting further care in the hospital.