Results of the implementation of integrated care after cardiorespiratory arrest in a university hospital

OBJECTIVES: to identify the care measures performed after cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) and to relate them to the neurological status and survival at four moments: within the first 24 hours, at the discharge, six months after discharge, and one year after discharge. METHOD: retrospective, analytical and quantitative study performed at the Emergency Department of a university hospital in São Paulo. Eighty-eight medical records of CRA patients who had a return of spontaneous circulation sustained for more than 20 minutes were included and the post-CRA care measures performed in the first 24 hours were identified, as well as its relationship with survival and neurological status. RESULTS: the most frequent post-CRA care measures were use of advanced airway access techniques and indwelling bladder catheterization. Patients who had maintained good breathing and circulation, temperature control and who were transferred to intensive care unit had a better survival in the first 24 hours, after six months and one year after discharge. Good neurological status at six months and one year after discharge was associated with non-use of vasoactive drugs and investigation of the causes of the CRA. CONCLUSION: the identification of good practices in post-CRA care may help to reduce the mortality of these individuals and to improve their quality of life.