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Defibrillation Shock Comes Too Late for Some in Hospitals

In Hospitals Do Not Deliver Defibrillation Shock Within Recommended Two Minutes in 30% of Cardiac Arrests, Study Finds, Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report today describes a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showing that...

"70% of participants received defibrillation to restart their hearts within the recommended time of less than two minutes after their cardiac arrest, with a survival rate of 39%. About 17% of participants received defibrillation between three and five minutes after their cardiac arrest, with a survival rate of 28%..."

Also, the study showed a likelihood for delays in defibrillation increased by...

• "23% for black participants"
• "18% when cardiac arrests occurred on nights or weekends"
• "27% when cardiac arrests occurred in hospitals with fewer than 250 beds"

More research is needed to determine if delays in defibrillation for black participants resulted because of "geographical differences in access." View full article.

From Medical Malpractice Law News posted 2008-01-04.