Outcomes of Skilled Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in a Long‐Term‐Care Facility: Futile Therapy?

To assess whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by in‐house physicians is effective for long‐term‐care residents. Retrospective chart review. Long‐term‐care facility with an intermediate care unit, “skilled” care unit, and a convalescent and assessment unit at a retirement community for veterans. All residents resuscitated from April 1987 to August 1990. All participants were male. The mean age was 75 years ± 7.3 (range 42–93 years). Charts were abstracted for demographics, advanced directives information, information about the arrest, and post‐resuscitation course. Forty‐five elderly residents underwent resuscitation during this period. Nine residents (20%) were successfully resuscitated, with seven dying within 24 hours of hospitalization. No residents survived to return to long‐term care (95% CI, 0–7%). The diagnoses were consistent with age‐related chronic disease. Seventeen (38%) arrests were witnessed. The predominant rhythm at onset of resuscitation was asystole. We conclude that cardiopulmonary resuscitation, even when performed by a trained and experienced physician and team, has limited benefit for elderly long‐term‐care populations.