Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) - Key Information for Patients awareness
Pic Source: Science Photo Library
This post covers below questions with the interest of Patient information
1) What cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is ?
Cardiopulmonary arrest means that a person’s heart and breathing has stopped. When this happens it is sometimes possible to restart their heart and breathing with an emergency treatment called CPR. CPR can include:
• repeatedly pushing down very firmly on the chest
• using electric shocks to try to restart the heart
• ‘mouth-to-mouth’ breathing; and
• artificially inflating the lungs through a mask over the nose and mouth or a tube inserted into the windpipe
2) How decisions about CPR are made ?
CPR is most often used in emergency situations, for example if you have a serious injury or suffer a heart attack.
However, CPR is not always automatically used; this depends on the circumstances and the doctor’s estimate of how likely it is to work.
If you are already very seriously ill and nearing the end of life, there may be no benefit in trying to revive you.
In this case, CPR may not be attempted. CPR will not be used if you have said in advance that you do not wish to receive it.
The information in this leaflet has been written to help you to decide whether or not you want to make this decision. It is important to remember that your relatives, friends or carers cannot make this decision for you
3) Does CPR always work?
The chances of CPR restarting your heart and breathing will depend on:
• why your heart and breathing have stopped
• any illness or medical problems you have (or have had in the past)
• the overall condition of your health. When CPR is attempted in a hospital it is successful in restarting the heart and breathing in about 4 out of 10 patients. However only about 2 out of 10 patients survive long enough to leave hospital.
The figures are much lower for patients with serious underlying conditions and for those not in hospital. It is important to remember that these figures only give a general picture and not a definite prediction of what you personally can expect. Everybody is different and your healthcare team will explain how CPR might affect you
4. Can CPR ever be harmful?
The techniques used to start your heart and breathing sometimes cause side effects, for example, bruising, fractured ribs and punctured lungs.
Attempts at CPR do not always restart the heart and breathing despite the best efforts of all concerned. Success depends on why your heart and breathing stopped, and on your general health. It also depends on how quickly your heart and breathing can be restarted.
People who are revived are often still very unwell and need more treatment, usually in a coronary care or intensive care unit. Some patients make a full recovery; some recover but have health problems. Some people never get back the level of physical or mental health they previously enjoyed. Some have brain damage or go into a coma. People with many medical problems are less likely to make a full recovery
5. Can I decide in advance that I DON’T want to have CPR if my heart or breathing stops?
If you know that you do not want CPR, you can inform your doctor, who will ensure that your decision is respected. You may also find it useful to make a living will (also known as an Advance Decision) to document your wishes. If you have a living will, you should let your healthcare team know about it so they can keep a copy of it in your healthcare records. You should also let the people close to you know so they are aware of your wishes.
6. Can I decide in advance that I DO want to have CPR if my heart or breathing stops?
If you think you would like to have CPR, then it is a good idea to discuss this with your doctor and make sure that they know your views.
However, CPR will only be given if the doctor believes it is clinically appropriate. This will depend on your current state of health and other underlying medical problems.
Your doctor can explain the chances of CPR being effective in your case. If there is a chance that CPR could restart your heart and breathing but it is likely to leave you severely ill or disabled, your opinion about whether these chances are worth taking are very important. Your doctor will listen to your opinions and, if you choose to involve them, the opinions of your family, carers and friends.
If you disagree with your doctors opinion about whether CPR is appropriate for you, you can ask for a second opinion. You can also seek mediation or counselling or use the formal complaints procedure.
Source: NHS East of England
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