The roles of pharmacists in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Abstract

In January 2007, Daini Okamoto General Hospital introduced a new system in which pharmacists, together with physicians and nurses, address patients with cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival and inpatients with de novo cardiopulmonary arrest. Over the past 2 years since the introduction of the system, the role of pharmacists in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the hospital has become increasingly established. Pharmacists prepare drugs for CPR, measure intervals during drug administration, and check the heart rhythm, produce records, pass drugs to physicians and nurses, and serve as CPR staff. CPR involves a large number of processes, and requires rapid responses. The participation of pharmacists in time management and drug administration, playing specific roles, has promoted role-sharing among physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, as well as the establishment of a "resuscitation team" in the hospital. Emergency medicine is in a difficult situation. We believe that our efforts have helped pharmacists contribute to emergency care and provide high-quality CPR. © 2010 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.