Follow-up care after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A pilot study of survivors and families' experiences and recommendations.

2021-09

Mion, Marco

Case, Rosalind

Smith, Karen

Lilja, Gisela

Blennow Nordström, Erik

Swindell, Paul

Nikolopoulou, Eleni

Davis, Jean

Farrell, Kelly

Gudde, Ellie

Karamasis, Grigoris V

Davies, John R

Toff, William D

Abella, Benjamin S

Keeble, Thomas R

Assessment

Cognitive impairments

Out-of-hospital heart arrest

Patient involvement

Patient outcome

Psychosocial functioning

Journal Article

10.1016/j.resplu.2021.100154

Cognitive and physical difficulties are common in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA); both survivors and close family members are also at risk of developing mood disorders. In the UK, dedicated follow-up pathways for OHCA survivors and their family are lacking. A cohort of survivors and family members were surveyed regarding their experience of post-discharge care and their recommended improvements. 123 OHCA survivors and 39 family members completed questionnaires during an educational event or later online. Questions addressed both the actual follow-up offered and the perceived requirements for optimal follow-up from the patient and family perspective, including consideration of timing, professionals involved, involvement of family members and areas they felt should be covered. Outpatient follow-up was commonly arranged after OHCA (77%). This was most often conducted by a cardiologist alone (80%) but survivors suggested that other professionals should also be involved (e.g. psychologist/counsellor, 64%). Topics recommended for consideration included cardiac arrest-related issues (heart disease; cause of arrest) mental fatigue/sleep disturbance, cognitive problems, emotional problems and daily activities. Most survivors advocated an early review (<1month; 61%). Most family members reported some psychological difficulties (95%); many of them (95%) advocated a dedicated follow-up appointment for family members of survivors. The majority of OHCA survivors advocated an early follow-up following hospital discharge and a holistic, multidimensional assessment of arrest sequelae. These results suggest that current OHCA follow-up often fails to address patient-centred issues and to provide access to professionals deemed important by survivors and family members.

link

Resuscitation Plus 2021; 7: 100154

Resuscitation Plus