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Post-Cardiac Arrest Therapeutic Hypothermia in New Jersey Hospitals: Analysis of Adoption and Implementation

Date of Publication
July, 2012
Publication Type
Journal Article
License
Open Access
DOI Entry
10.1089/ther.2012.0008
Citation (AMA)

BACKGROUND: While national guidelines recommend the use of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) for the treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), adoption of the technique has been slow. In addition, little is known about how TH is applied in practice. This study sought to characterize the adoption and implementation of TH by acute care hospitals in the state of New Jersey. METHODS: A survey of all 73 acute care hospitals in New Jersey was conducted to solicit information about TH adoption, application, and methods. Additional information was gained through a review of 18 written TH protocols (covering 21 hospitals). RESULTS: After growing slowly from 2004 to 2008, TH use among New Jersey hospitals accelerated between 2009 and 2011. By 2011, 68.4% of New Jersey hospitals had a TH program in place, with an additional 13.6% indicating plans to begin one. Most hospitals indicated low volumes of OHCA patients (e.g.,