Outcomes of skilled cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a long-term-care facility: futile therapy?
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by in-house physicians is effective for long-term-care residents.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Long-term-care facility with an intermediate care unit, skilled care unit, and a convalescent and assessment unit at a retirement community for veterans.


METHODS
All residents resuscitated from April 1987 to August 1990. All participants were male. The mean age was 75 years +/- 7.3 (range 42-93 years).


METHODS
Charts were abstracted for demographics, advanced directives information, information about the arrest, and post-resuscitation course.


RESULTS
Forty-five elderly residents underwent resuscitation during this period. Nine residents (20%) were successfully resuscitated, with seven dying within 24 hours of hospitalization. No residents survived to return to long-term care (95% CI, 0-7%). The diagnoses were consistent with age-related chronic disease. Seventeen (38%) arrests were witnessed. The predominant rhythm at onset of resuscitation was asystole.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that cardiopulmonary resuscitation, even when performed by a trained and experienced physician and team, has limited benefit for elderly long-term-care populations.
Awoke
S
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United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, Washington, DC.
Mouton
C P
CP
Parrott
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies