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Variations in the provision of resuscitation equipment: survey of acute hospitals

Department of Geriatric Medicine, St Helier Hospital, Carshalton, Surrey, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr A Bhalla
Department of Geriatric Medicine, St Helier Hospital, Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 1AA, UK; abhalla{at}sghms.ac.uk

Background: There are wide variations in survival after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The aim of this survey was to describe how equipment provision of resuscitation trolleys was deployed in a range of clinical ward areas.

Methods: The equipment in randomly selected resuscitation trolleys in all 14 South West Thames Region hospitals was surveyed. The gold standard for equipment provision was referenced from the document CPR Guidance for Clinical Practice and Training in Hospital.

Results: There were significant differences in the provision of circulation equipment (p = 0.004) and in the rates of drug items present (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in provision of airways equipment (p = 0.24) or immediate access items (p = 0.55).

Conclusions: There are variations in the provision of resuscitation equipment in many clinical areas. Hospitals need to review the procedures for ensuring adequate provision of resuscitation equipment in all clinical areas.

Abbreviations: A&E, accident and emergency; CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; CCU, coronary care unit

Keywords: resuscitation; cardiac arrest; hospitals