CPR In Hospitals: The Unspoken Truth About Hospital CPR Doctors Want You To Know

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in hospitals is deemed as a last resort, a life-saving mechanism executed by doctors when life is about to go out. Unbeknownst to many, there are certain CPR-related secrets that only doctors and medical practitioners know.

Low chance of being back to normal

CPR is performed in hospitals unless the patient wanted a DNAR, otherwise known as Do Not Attempt Resuscitation. Medscape said CPR includes chest compressions, medications, ventilation and the ultimate recourse - defibrillation.

Far from the concept of many that by applying CPR in hospitals the patient will return to its normal or previously healthy state, a doctor said in Huffington Post that the chances are relatively low. There are many cases when patients no longer return to their previous level of functionality.

No survival guarantee

When doctors pose the "code question" like "If your heart stops or you stop breathing, do you want us to do everything," answering "yes" does not necessarily guarantee 100 percent survival. CPR in hospitals can only do so much but it is not an assurance that you will enjoy life the way you used to.

A Journal of the American Medical Association article presented the stark contrast between reel-life resuscitation and real-life resuscitation. If the patient is young and healthy, successful resuscitation is at 30 percent. If the patient is in a nursing home suffering from medical issues, his chances are at a measly 1-3 percent.

Health condition matters

Another factor to consider when considering CPR in hospitals is the health of the individual. If one is suffering from chronic medical condition like COPD and dementia, his chances of surviving cardiac arrest is low. It is in the same vein that liver damage, low blood pressure and kidney damage affect survival rate.

While many people would like CPR to be applied on loved ones whenever they are at the point of nearing death, it is still best to weigh the pros and cons of it all. CPR in hospitals may or may not restore patients into their previous level of functioning or health.