Have you ever had to use CPr on the job or anywhere else?

[amy3072]

I Just finished a CPR class and was wondering how often you use CPr as nurses and if anyone has had to use it in an emergency situation outside of the job? CPR used to seem sort of like no big deal, before I took the class, now I feel like if I had to I could actually save someones life with it .

PS .Im a nursing student that hasnt gotten to clinicals yet so this is my first exposure to any kind of technical training.

I look forward to hearing of your experiences.

Thanks All

Amy

[dcastlewood]

I didn't realize it was that low, I guess I thought it was a bit higher. What about the type of breaths? It isn't a normal type breath, it is a deep breath pushed out quickly. Wouldn't that make a difference?

Slow your roll, please. We also need to realize that the air we all breathe is 21% oxygen. 17% oxygen respirations are better than no respirations at all. Just keepin' it real.....

[jimthorp]

They've actually changed the ratio for CPR for adults. I belive it's now 30compressions: 2 breaths.

Who's standards is this? I just challenged the ARC CPR recert in July and it was 15:2.

[Aneroo, LPN]

Who's standards is this? I just challenged the ARC CPR recert in July and it was 15:2.

Exactly. I did my CPR re-cert in october, and it was still 15:2 then.

I didn't realize this until there was a code going on nearby and I could hear the beep from when they'd do compressions, and I thought "Are they gonna stop?", and a coworker started talking about it.

During the first minutes of VF SCA, rescue breaths are probably not as important as chest compressions113 because the oxygen level in the blood remains high for the first several minutes after cardiac arrest. In early cardiac arrest, myocardial and cerebral oxygen delivery is limited more by the diminished blood flow (cardiac output) than a lack of oxygen in the blood. During CPR blood flow is provided by chest compressions. Rescuers must be sure to provide effective chest compressions (see below) and minimize any interruption of chest compressions.

This 30:2 ratio is based on a consensus of experts rather than clear evidence. It is designed to increase the number of compressions, reduce the likelihood of hyperventilation, minimize interruptions in chest compressions for ventilation, and simplify instruction for teaching and skills retention. A manikin study suggests that rescuers may find a compression-ventilation ratio of 30:2 more tiring than a ratio of 15:2.182 Further studies are needed to define the best method for coordinating chest compressions and ventilations during CPR and to define the best compression-ventilation ratio in terms of survival and neurologic outcome in patients with or without an advanced airway in place.

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/112/24_suppl/IV-19

ETA- There is also an article regarding it in this months Nursing2006.

[Sara, RN]

My career started on general units, I have now been ED and ICU for many years. I have used CPR in many locations and I have seen RN's standing at the bedside unsure where to begin in more than one area despite their "book" learning, one RN hunched in the corner of their patients room while we tried to get a history. Just remember airway, initially! That first 10-15 seconds is always a little chaotic, just grab the bag and start there, take a deep breath and finish with ABC's. Also, when in the workforce get ACLS and PALS, it helps with the whole process.

[Butterflybee]

I have had to use CPR over the years several times.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

The 30:2 ratio is the newest standard released by AHA (in early December) - being rolled out in provider & recert. courses as local chapters receive their new materals.

To the OP: if you were questioning, how often does this happen, really ... just remember that patients in hospitals are SICK (that's why they're there), and many are unstable. Codes happen.

If you're lucky, they don't happen in the elevator when you're transporting the pt. to the unit.

[compassion1]

I've been part of quite a few codes when I worked in a hospital setting. I remember several when I worked LTC when even my supervisiors stood back not sure what to do. One being especially memorible when we happened to have 2 supervisiors on. One couldn't remember what to do and the other c/o her back ached so she couldn't do it! I got a new grad to help me and we did the job as I coached her. Wasn't even on my unit. Anyway, the pt. made it! True, most don't but it's great when it all comes together and works! One time I heard a strange sound behind me in church. I looked around and saw a man with "that look". My mom said I jumped over 2 sets of pews to get to him. Asked who knew CPR and got a woman who learned in high school. Well we brought him back several times before EMTs got there. We continued to work on him till he went out to the hospital where he later died. Messed up the sermon that day! Found out later that he was on the list for heart transplant so he didn't stand much of a chance. But it was satisfying in that the family was so very grateful. And a couple of weeks later the woman I coached that day saw an accident, stopped and did CPR on the victim who did make it. Learn CPR 'cause you never know when you'll need it. And even if you don't remember to do everything by the book, the person has a better chance than if nothing was done.

[gracer]

I've had two pt's require CPR in two years of nights on a surg ward, neither was straight forward. The first had collapsed between furniture and was asolutely covered in vomit so very slippery and difficult to hold ambu bag, but the two of us RNs on the ward did our best until the ICU team arrived and he was revived after a long time when I thought he was gone, he did die later that day in ICU, but had a few extra hours with family. The other was awaiting a heart valve transplant, a very big man and sitting upright in a chair when he arrested, we were unsuccessful then as he had no cardiac output at all but continued for 30 mins until the Dr called it, partly due to the pts famiy being present, until they finally said enough. Both were upsetting particularly when it's a pt youv'e got to know well but in the situation adrenaline starts pumping and you do what needs to be done. In New Zealand it has been recently publicized for the public to commence compressions and not worry about mouth to mouth, I think due to the reluctance for contact, any attempts at all in an arrest situation are better than none. I certainly would have a problem giving mouth to mouth to someone covered in vomit.

[farishtaRN]

I have performed CPR lots of times. I used to work cardiac intensive care and floated for ER and PICU. I also have had a couple of experiences outside of the hospital setting where I have performed CPR. I have seen it work and fail, but I've always known that I did everything in my power to help that person. Ultimately, our lives are in God's hands and there are always going to be circumstances where no matter what you do, the patient will not make it. But to adopt a fatalistic view and just say 'oh well, they'll probably die anyway' in my opinion is a sign that you need to find another job.

[sandiLa]

I performed CPR all the time while working as an EMT. I worked in New Orleans and we got a lot of bad calls there. I haven't had to do it at work as of yet. I'm sure I will someday.

Sandy