title: Every second counts: innovations to increase timely defibrillation rates.
abstract: Early defibrillation is an essential step in the "chain of survival" for patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest. To increase the rate of early defibrillation by nurse first responders in noncritical care areas, our institution employed a quality resuscitation consultant, implemented nursing education programs, and standardized equipment and practices. Automated external defibrillator application by nurse first responders prior to advanced cardiac life support team arrival has improved from 15% in 2011 to 76% in 2013 (P < .001).
authors.affiliation: Rescue Care and Resiliency (Ms Borak), Center for Nursing Professional Practice and Research (Mss Francisco, Stokas, Maroney, and Bednar and Dr Pakieser-Reed), and Department of General Surgery (Dr Miller), The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borak
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Francisco
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stokas
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maroney
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bednar
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pakieser-Reed
mesh_terms: D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods; D004506:Education, Nursing; D004554:Electric Countershock; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D061665:Time-to-Treatment