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Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) algorithms are commonly taught, but how well are they implemented? Researchers collected code-team checklists from resuscitations for 403 adult patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest at a single academic hospital. They randomly selected 74 who did not survive and 75 who survived to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The survivors were significantly older (by an average of 7 years) and had significantly higher expected mortality.
When ACLS protocols were followed, patients were significantly more likely to achieve ROSC. Multivariable logistic regression analysis that controlled for age, location, and expected mortality did not change the findings. Incorrect timing of actions or drug administration…