Cardiorespiratory Arrest of the adult patient in a hospital environment: nursing contributions

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyse the scientific production regarding cardiorespiratory arrest (CA) in adult patients in a hospital environment, as to support nursing knowledge. This is a systematic review, which were used Scielo, Lilacs and Medline databases from 1997 to 2007. Most of the articles used in the analysis referred to the survival prognostic factors of patients submitted to cardiopulmonary ressucitation (CPR) and to the results of this intervention. The prospective studies were methodologically prevalent. The nursing scientific production was numerically small when compared to the medical area. The importance of a nursing team trained and apt for CA treatment and prevention was pointed out; continual education programs were stimulated. The conclusion arrived at is that there are few nursing studies about CPR, and continual incentive to the scientific production regarding its acting both in CA prevention and RCP management is imperative.