The impact of telemetry on survival of in-hospital cardiac arrests in non-critical care patients.

OBJECTIVE: Since the introduction of telemetry over a half century ago, it has expanded to various units and wards within health care institutions outside of the traditional critical care setting. Little is known on whether routine telemetry use is beneficial in this patient population. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of telemetry monitoring on survival of in-hospital cardiac arrests in patients admitted to non-critical care units.

METHODS: A retrospective study of cardiac arrests in patients admitted to non-critical care units within the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority from 2002 to 2006 inclusive was performed. Baseline demographic, cardiac arrest, and outcome data were collected.

RESULTS: Of the total 668 patients, the mean age was 70±14 years with 404 (61%) males. Patients presenting with asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA) demonstrated an increased mortality as compared to those presenting with ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Overall, 268 of 668 patients (40%) survived their initial arrest, 66 (10%) survived to hospital discharge and 49 (7%) survived transfer to another facility. Patients on telemetry vs. no telemetry had higher survival rates immediately following cardiac arrest (66% vs. 34%, OR=3.67, p=0.02), as well as higher survival to hospital discharge (30% vs. 6%, OR=7.17, p=0.01). Finally, patients with cardiac arrest during the night and early morning benefited proportionally the greatest from telemetry use.

CONCLUSION: Regardless of whether cardiac arrest was witnessed or unwitnessed, telemetry use was an independent and strong predictor of survival to hospital discharge.