Relatives’ experiences of unsuccessful out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempts: a qualitative analysis

Relatives’ experiences of unsuccessful out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempts: a qualitative analysis

Relatives of patients who have experienced an out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) experience confusion and distress during resuscitation. Clear information from ambulance clinicians and the opportunity to witness the resuscitation helps them navigate the chaotic scene. However, UK-based evidence concerning relatives’ experiences of unsuccessful resuscitation attempts and interactions with ambulance clinicians is lacking. This qualitative study explores those experiences to inform ambulance clinician practice.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 relatives of OHCA non-survivors. Thematic analysis identified four themes. Cardiac arrest is a traumatic event for relatives, with chaotic noisy scenes increasing their distress. Many described feelings symptomatic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder since the event. During resuscitation, participants needed information from clinicians about what was happening, and provided information about their relatives’ wishes. Participants needed reassurance from clinicians that everything possible was done to save their relative and were reassured when they could witness some of the resuscitation. Participants were surprised how long resuscitation seemed to last; some were distressed that it lasted so long.

Caroline Huxley, Eleanor Reeves, Justin Kearney, Galina Gardiner, Karin Eli, Rachael Fothergill, Gavin D. Perkins, Michael Smyth, Anne-Marie Slowther & Frances Griffiths

https://bmcemergmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12873-024-01117-4

BMC Emergency Medicine

05 november 2024

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