Necessity of immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in trauma emergency

The ability to respond quickly and effectively to a cardiac arrest situation rests on nurses being competent in the emergency life-saving procedure of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the types of trauma and survival of patients that require immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in trauma emergencies. A total of 13301 patients treated as accident victims between July 2004 and December 2006 were evaluated in a prospective study. Patients requiring immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation at admission were identified. The type of injury and the survival of these patients were evaluated. Of the 65 patients included in the study, 30% had suffered from gunshot wounds, 19% had been run over, 18% had been involved in car crashes, 13% in motor cycle accidents, 9% stabbings, 1% by cycle accidents and 10% other types of accidents including burns, hangings and falls. In only 12 of these patients, immediate resuscitation was successful and procedure such as chest drainage, exploratory laparotomy and interventions in the surgical center were performed. However all patients evolved to death; eight within 24 hours, two between 24 and 48 hours and the other 2 after 48 hours. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation after accidents is a sign of high mortality requiring further studies to review indication and the ethical aspects involved.