RATIONALE: We hypothesize that despite excellent evidence supporting use of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) after cardiac arrest, only some of Connecticut hospitals utilize this technique for cardiac arrest patients. METHODS: Telephone survey of all adult acute care Connecticut hospitals between January and April 2010. RESULTS: Among 31 adult acute care hospitals, 27 care for cardiac arrest patients. Seventeen out of 27 hospitals use TH (63%) for cardiac arrest patients. No significant association was found between use of TH and hospital size (P=0.14), ICU type (P=0.07) or BC/BE critical-care physician staffing (P= 0.22). Lack of resources and cost of TH were commonly mentioned as barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic hypothermia is underutilized in Connecticut with almost half of all hospitals currently not employing TH. Given the slow adoption rate of TH, state-level leadership may be indicated to accelerate implementation of this life-saving technique.
RATIONALE: We hypothesize that despite excellent evidence supporting use of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) after cardiac arrest, only some of Connecticut hospitals utilize this technique for cardiac arrestpatients. METHODS: Telephone survey of all adult acute care Connecticut hospitals between January and April 2010. RESULTS: Among 31 adult acute care hospitals, 27 care for cardiac arrestpatients. Seventeen out of 27 hospitals use TH (63%) for cardiac arrestpatients. No significant association was found between use of TH and hospital size (P=0.14), ICU type (P=0.07) or BC/BE critical-care physician staffing (P= 0.22). Lack of resources and cost of TH were commonly mentioned as barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic hypothermia is underutilized in Connecticut with almost half of all hospitals currently not employing TH. Given the slow adoption rate of TH, state-level leadership may be indicated to accelerate implementation of this life-saving technique.
Authors: Jukka Vaahersalo; Pamela Hiltunen; Marjaana Tiainen; Tuomas Oksanen; Kirsi-Maija Kaukonen; Jouni Kurola; Esko Ruokonen; Jyrki Tenhunen; Tero Ala-Kokko; Vesa Lund; Matti Reinikainen; Outi Kiviniemi; Tom Silfvast; Markku Kuisma; Tero Varpula; Ville Pettilä Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2013-02-16 Impact factor: 17.440