title: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation standards for clinical practice and training in the UK.
abstract: The Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Royal College of Physicians, the Intensive Care Society and the Resuscitation Council (UK) have published new resuscitation standards. The document provides advice to UK healthcare organisations, resuscitation committees and resuscitation officers on all aspects of the resuscitation service. It includes sections on resuscitation training, resuscitation equipment, the cardiac arrest team, cardiac arrest prevention, patient transfer, post resuscitation care, audit and research. The document makes several recommendations. Healthcare institutions should have, or be represented on, a resuscitation committee that is responsible for all resuscitation issues. Every institution should have at least one resuscitation officer responsible for teaching and conducting training in resuscitation techniques. Staff with patient contact should be given regular resuscitation training appropriate to their expected abilities and roles. Clinical staff should receive regular training in the recognition of patients at risk of cardiopulmonary arrest and the measures required for the prevention of cardiopulmonary arrest. Healthcare institutions admitting acutely ill patients should have a resuscitation team, or its equivalent, available at all times. Clear guidelines should be available indicating how and when to call for the resuscitation team. Cardiopulmonary arrest should be managed according to current national guidelines. Resuscitation equipment should be available throughout the institution for clinical use and for training. The practice of resuscitation should be audited to maintain and improve standards of care. A do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) policy should be compiled, communicated to relevant members of staff, used and audited regularly. Funding must be provided to support an effective resuscitation service.
authors.affiliation: Working Group, Resuscitation Council, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gabbott
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colquhoun
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: Jasmeet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soar
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pitcher
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spearpoint
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000592:standards; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000592:standards; D006113:United Kingdom