Prospective Observational Survey of the Utilisation of Anaesthetists and the Outcome following Cardiac Arrest Calls

Abstract

We wanted to determine whether the practice of routinely sending an anaesthetist to cardiac arrests is common within Scotland. We also wished to evaluate the interventions performed by our intensive care anaesthetist when responding to cardiac arrest calls. We performed a telephone survey of the 26 Scottish hospitals with an intensive care unit. We conducted a prospective observational survey over a period of six months in one Scottish teaching hospital. Structured interviews with the anaesthetist who responded to the cardiac arrest call were undertaken. Routine attendance of an anaesthetist at cardiac arrests occurs in 25 of the 26 hospitals surveyed. We analysed 68 of 73 arrest calls. In 28 calls (41%) there was no requirement for anaesthetic intervention. In 40 (59%) the anaesthetist intervened. The interventions were for cardiac arrest procedures in 33 cases and ventilatory failure in the remaining 7 cases. One patient survived to hospital discharge: a mortality of 98%. Patients who remain in cardiac arrest upon the arrival of the anaesthetist have a very high mortality. The practice of routinely sending an anaesthetist to cardiac arrest calls is not justified.