Factors Influencing the Quality of Standardized Treatment for Patients with Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES For the present study, we investigated the factors that influence the quality of standardized treatment for patients with post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) to improve the quality of PCAS treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We collected data on patients with cardiac arrest (CA) who were admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) of 11 hospitals-Class II Grade A or above-in Suzhou from January to October 2013. Indexes of standardized treatment were observed within 72 hrs of CA. We analyzed monitoring techniques, monitoring frequency, ICU human and material resources, and intensivists' knowledge of PCAS treatment to explore how those factors affected the management of patients with PCAS. RESULTS The bed/nurse ratio and the frequency with which core temperature was recorded correlated closely with the implementation of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) within 6 hrs of CA. The bed/doctor ratio and intensivists' knowledge about PCAS correlated closely with high-quality blood glucose control within 6 hrs of CA. Furthermore, the frequency with which core temperature was recorded was an independent factor influencing the quality of TH implementation, and the number times blood gas was analyzed was an independent factor influencing how well partial pressure of carbon dioxide was kept within the normal range in the 6 hrs after CA. CONCLUSION The frequency of core temperature measurements and the number of times blood gas is analyzed are the most important factors influencing the quality of standardized treatment for patients with PCAS.