CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a time-dependent clinical intervention. Unlike most other clinical interventions (eg, antibiotics for sepsis, chemotherapy regimens, and duration of mechanical ventilation) that are marked with distinct start and stop times, attempts at CPR are dependent on many process times requiring intense multidisciplinary teamwork in a short period of time. Process times that are simultaneously coordinated and recorded include the following: when the nurses and physicians arrive in the patient’s room; the administration of medication; the cycle of chest compressions; pulse and rhythm checks; defibrillations or cardioversion attempts; and the last recorded time in a resuscitation, return of spontaneous circulation, or death. The resuscitation team leader declares, “the end,” and the team’s work stops