Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 infection has a high rate of mortality and morbidity and is extremely contagious. COVID-19 has raised attention to safety issues involving healthcare workers who perform CPR. The risk of transmission produces a dilemma to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, patient and/or family preferences, as a factor associated with Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR). This commentary wants to provide an overview or other perspectives that may be the subject of further research so that there will be evidence base practice for health workers, especially nurses in code blue situations. Discussion: COVID-19 pandemic has clearly had a significant impact on the epidemiology and outcome of cardiac arrest in both out-of-hospital and in-hospital settings. All potential COVID-19 patients should be offered the advantage of CPR by attempting to revive them after taking all required safety precautions, and the patient should only be confirmed dead after CPR has been performed. Provision of further information regarding CPR to patients and/or families for consideration, including the advantages and disadvantages of CPR, before making a final decision regarding the administration of CPR. COVID-19 patients with a poor prognosis might benefit from Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) but this is causes dilemmas in nursing profession. Conclusion: Although the survival rate for COVID-19 patients is poor, it is anticipated that CPR attempts will still be performed during the COVID-19 pandemic by following several guidelines. COVID-19 patients with a poor prognosis might benefit from Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) if the patient and/or family who are accountable provide their approval and everything is in order. As a nurse, we must respect the decisions that patients or families make because it is their right and their authority.