Assessing neurological prognosis in post-cardiac arrest patients from short vs plain text EEG reports: A survey among intensive care clinicians

BackgroundElectroencephalography (EEG) patterns are predictive of neurological prognosis in comatose survivors from cardiac arrest but intensive care clinicians dependent neurophysiologist reports to identify specific patterns. We hypothesized that the proportion correct assessment would be higher short statements confirming EEG compared with descriptive plain text reports.MethodsVolunteering at two university hospitals were asked assess a fictional patient high neuron enolase. They presented 17 authentic and three statements, whether “highly malignant”, “malignant” or “benign” pattern was present. Primary outcome who correctly identified poor consistent highly malignant Secondary outcomes how assessed benign patterns.ResultsOut 57 participants, by 61% 93% statement malignant” Unaffected 28% 40% Good 64% pattern.ConclusionStandardized statement, present”, as descriptions reports, is associated more accurate identification arrest.