“All citizens of the world can save a life”. With these words, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) is launching the first global initiative – World Restart a Heart (WRAH) – to increase public awareness and therefore the rates of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for victims of cardiac arrest. In most of the cases, it takes too long for the emergency services to arrive on scene after the victim's collapse. Thus, the most effective way to increase survival and favourable outcome in cardiac arrest by two- to fourfold is early CPR by lay bystanders and by “first responders”. Lay bystander resuscitation rates, however, differ significantly across the world, ranging from 5 to 80%. If all countries could have high lay bystander resuscitation rates, this would help to save hundreds of thousands of lives every year. In order to achieve this goal, all seven ILCOR councils have agreed to participate in WRAH 2018. Besides schoolchildren education in CPR (“KIDS SAVE LIVES”), many other initiatives have already been developed in different parts of the world. ILCOR is keen for the WRAH initiative to be as inclusive as possible, and that it should happen every year on 16 October or as close to that day as possible. Besides recommending CPR training for children and adults, it is hoped that a unified global message will enable our policy makers to take action to address the inequalities in patient survival around the world. / Revisión por pares

IHNÁT RUDINSKÁ, Lucia: Forensic Aspect of Injuries Associated with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové; Hradec Králové: 2017, 97 s. Injuries associated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) present the actual issue on the boundary of several medical specialities. The prevalence of CPR associated injuries is very high; the spectrum of these injuries is wide (from clinically irrelevant to injuries incompatible with life). The primary aim of the study was to evaluate frequency and seriousness of CPR associated injuries; the secondary aim was the analysis of factors, which might have participated in the development of CPR associated injuries. In total, 80 persons were enrolled in the study. All included individuals were resuscitated before death and underwent an autopsy at the University Hospital Ostrava within the study period (1. 9. 2012 - 30. 8. 2015). Injuries associated with CPR were revealed in 93.7% of resuscitated persons; injuries were multiple in the vast majority of these persons. Skin injuries, head and neck injuries, rare intra- abdominal injuries and frequent intrathoracic injuries were identified within the study group. Clinically serious injuries associated with CPR were revealed in 41.2% of persons (lung contusions or lacerations,...

O ensino de enfermagem em ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (RCP) deve refletir a prática baseada em evidências, as diretrizes da American Heart Assossiation (AHA) e basear-se nos cenários de prática clínica incluindo o reconhecimento da parada cardiorrespiratória, em qualquer ambiente de atenção à saúde. Este estudo trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura e tem como referencial teórico a prática baseada em evidência. Buscou-se identificar e analisar na literatura as evidências oriundas dos estudos primários que abordassem as estratégias de ensino e aprendizagem da RCP em adultos, para os estudantes de graduação em enfermagem. A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL e LILACS, no período de 2000 a 2011. Das 591 referências encontradas, 18 estudos primários fizeram parte desta amostra. Foi realizada a extração e análise dos dados, por dois revisores. Foram encontradas as seguintes evidências nos estudos primários: sete de nível II, dois de nível III, dois nível IV e sete estudos de nível VI. Instrução por pares, aprendizagem assistida por computador, aprendizagem baseada em problemas, simulações de alta e baixa finalidade, autoinstrução por leitura de manuais do BLS, autoinstrução por vídeo e a estratégia tradicional têm sido explorados pelos pesquisadores para ensinar e avaliar o nível de aquisição e da retenção dos conhecimentos e das habilidades dos estudantes de enfermagem em RCP. Os estudos de evidência II apresentam comparações entre a estratégia de simulação com o padrão da AHA, com os menequins de média e alta fidelidade, com os estudantes de diferentes níveis de formação; dois estudos comparam estratégias Instrução por pares com a estratégia de ensino tradicional e outro estudo comparando a autoinstrução com a tradicional e com a web-based. O uso da estratégia de simulação com cenários estruturados e com manequins de alta fidelidade mostrou-se, em relação as demais estratégias, a que melhor apresentou subsído para a retenção do conhecimento e aquisição de habilidades na realização da RCP, de acordo com as recomendações das diretrizes da AHA. Os estudos primários mostraram que a retenção do conhecimento e das habilidades apresenta declínio com o passar do tempo, independente da estratégia utilizada pelo professor, sendo necessárias sessões de repetição para que as habilidades não se deteriorem. / Nursing teaching of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should reflect the evidence-based practice, the guidelines of the American Heart Association (AHA), and be based on clinical practice scenarios, including the recognition of cardiopulmonary arrest in any environment of health care. This study is an integrative literature review and has the evidence-based practice as the theoretical referential. It aimed to identify and analyze in the literature the evidences from the primary studies that addressed teaching and learning strategies of CPR in adults for undergraduate nursing students. The search was conducted in the PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL and LILACS databases in the period from 2000 to 2011. Of the 591 found references, 18 primary studies were part of this sample. Data extraction and analysis were performed by two reviewers. The following evidence in the primary studies were found: seven of level II, three of level III, two of level IV, and six studies of level VI. Peer instruction, computer-assisted learning, problem based learning, high and low-fidelity simulations, self education by reading BLS manual, self education by video and traditional strategy have been explored by researchers to teach and evaluate the level of acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills of nursing students in CPR. Studies of evidence II show comparisons among the simulation strategy with the AHA standard, with the medium and high-fidelity mannequins, and with students of different levels of training; two studies comparing peer instruction strategy with traditional teaching strategy, and another study comparing self education with traditional and web-based strategies. The use of simulation strategy with structured scenarios and high-fidelity mannequins was that showed, in relation to other strategies, better subsidy for the retention of knowledge and skill acquisition in CPR, according to the recommendations and guidelines of the AHA. The primary studies showed that the retention of knowledge and skills declined over time, regardless of the strategy used by the professor, requiring repeated sessions so that skills do not deteriorate.

Orientador: Izilda Esmenia Muglia Araujo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T20:04:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bellan_MargareteConsorti_M.pdf: 1469477 bytes, checksum: 6b246d40e4df19b1a0571c088ab4f183 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: A equipe de enfermagem freqüentemente é quem testemunha a parada cardiorrespiratória (PCR). Portanto, deve possuir conhecimentos suficientes para realizar os primeiros atendimentos. O sucesso da reanimação cardiorrespiratória (RCR) depende do tempo entre a ocorrência e o início do tratamento, da harmonia e sincronismo da equipe e da capacitação dos profissionais. Foram objetivos do estudo: elaborar um programa de capacitação para enfermeiros na RCR, capacitar o enfermeiro para o atendimento da PCR, avaliar o conhecimento dos enfermeiros antes e após sua participação no programa e comparar a atuação dos enfermeiros submetidos ao programa com os do grupo controle. O estudo foi desenvolvido em um hospital universitário e contemplou três etapas: etapa-I, capacitação teóricoprática; etapa-II, avaliação recente do conhecimento teórico-prático; e etapa-III, avaliação tardia. A amostra foi composta por 21 enfermeiros no grupo-A (controle ¿ não participou do programa de capacitação) e 38 no grupo-B (experimental ¿ participou do programa). Os instrumentos teórico e prático foram submetidos à validação de conteúdo e pré-teste. Na avaliação dos juízes não houve discordância significativa quanto à organização (p=0,368), objetividade (p=1,000), exceto quanto à clareza (p=0,042) para o instrumento-I (teórico). Em relação ao instrumento-II (prático), não houve discordância em nenhum dos itens (p=0,05). Na análise de desempenho dos enfermeiros verificou-se que a média das notas da avaliação teórica no grupo-A variou de forma progressiva nas três etapas: 6,45, 6,66 e 7,10; e no grupo-B de forma oscilante: 6,48, 8,36 e 8,0, respectivamente, com diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos nas etapas II e III (p<0,001). Em relação às atividades práticas do suporte básico de vida (SBV) e suporte avançado (SAV), no grupo-A as médias de notas foram 3,90 e 3,49 na etapa-II e 4,32 e 3,72 na etapa-III, respectivamente, enquanto no grupo-B obtiveram as médias de notas 6,92 e 5,66 na etapa-II e 7,08 e 4,99 na etapa-III, espectivamente. As diferenças entre os grupos nas duas etapas das duas atividades foram significativas (p<0,001). Conclui-se que os conteúdos abordados e os instrumentos utilizados subsidiaram de forma favorável a execução e avaliação do programa de capacitação elaborado e implementado para os enfermeiros no atendimento da PCR. Observou-se melhora no desempenho tanto nas atividades teóricas quanto nas práticas. O grupo-B foi superior em ambos os desempenhos em relação ao grupo-A. No entanto, o desempenho na atividade teórica do grupo-B após uma semana foi superior ao de três meses; já na atividade prática do SBV, o desempenho na etapa-III foi superior à etapa-II, enquanto no SAV o desempenho da etapa-III foi inferior ao da etapa-II. O comportamento do desempenho dos sujeitos do grupo-A diferiu tanto nas atividades teórica como na prática em relação ao grupo-B. Na avaliação teórica observou-se uma melhora progressiva nas três etapas, assim como nas duas etapas das atividades práticas de SBV e SAV. Diante destes resultados, acreditase que o programa de capacitação elaborado poderá ser amplamente utilizado na instituição estudada e também adaptado para utilização em outras / Abstract: Nursing team members are frequently cardiac arrest witness, and therefore must acquire knowledge to perform basic (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) depends on the treatment starting time, team¿s harmony/synchrony and involved professionals¿ capability. The study¿s main objectives were: to elaborate a nursing capacitation program in CPR; to train nurses in performing CPR; to evaluate nurses¿ CPR-knowledge before and after their participation in the program; and to analyse, comparatively, the CPR-performance of nurses that took part or not in the program. The study was developed in an university-hospital and faced three stages: stage-I, theorical-practical capacitation; stage-II, recent evaluation of theorical-practical knowledge; and stage-III, delayed evaluation of theorical-practical knowledge. The time interval between stages I and II was one week and between II and III, three months. Nurses were divided into two groups [A ¿ control (n=21), did not participate; and B ¿ experimental (n=38), did participate on the capacitation program]. Theorical and practical instruments were submitted to content validation and to a pre-test. There were no disagreements amongst judges concerning organization (p=0,368) and objectivity (p=1,000), except for clearness (p=0,042) of the instrument-I (theorical). In relation to instrument-II (practical), there were no disagreement in any items (p=0,05). On the analysis of nurses¿ performance, it was verified that group-A average punctuation in theorical evaluation varied in a progressive way on the three stages (6.45, 6.66 and 7.10, respectively), and in group-B in a non-steady way (6.48, 8.36 and 8.0, respectively) [group-B better than group-A on stages II and III (p<0,001; Tukey-test)]. In relation to practical activities on BLS and ACLS in group-A, the average punctuations were 3.90 and 3.49 on stage-II, and 4.32 and 3.72 on stage-III, respectively, while group-B has got average punctuations of 6.92 and 5.66 on stage-II, and 7.08 and 4.99 on stage-III, respectively [group-B better than group-A on the two stages of two activities (p<0,001; Tukey-test)]. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the approached contents and the used instruments helped in a most favorable way the execution and evaluation of the capacitation program elaborated and implemented to improve nurses¿ CPR-performance. It was observed an improvement not only on theorical activities but also in practical ones. Group-B has shown superior performances than group-A. However, it could be verified that theorical activity performance of group-B, within a week (stage-II), was superior in relation to stage-III (after three months); on the BLS practical activity, subjects¿ performance on stage-III was superior to stage-II, while on the SAV, performance of stage-III was inferior to stage-II. Group-A performance behavior differed not only on theorical activity but also on practical one in relation to group-B. On the theorical evaluation, it was observed a progressive improvement in all three stages, and also on both stages of BLS and ACLS practical activities. Facing these results, it is believed that this elaborated capacitation program can be largely utilized in our own institution and possibly could be adapted and extended to other ones / Mestrado / Enfermagem e Trabalho / Mestre em Enfermagem

Orientador: Izilda Esmenia Muglia Araujo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T11:53:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Boaventura_AnaPaula_M.pdf: 414108 bytes, checksum: faae3158a2586452ce01d7978f40b00b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / Resumo: A situação encontrada na prática dos atendimentos da parada cardiorrespiratória é a de que os registros não são feitos adequadamente, ou são incompletos, relatando apenas o horário da PCR e o óbito, quando deveriam conter maior número de informações, como fármacos utilizados durante o atendimento, os ritmos cardíacos, o número de choques realizados, entre outros. Se forem analisados os prontuários médicos de pacientes hospitalizados que apresentaram parada cardiorrespiratória, possivelmente haverá dificuldades na realização de estudos retrospectivos de ressuscitação cardiorrespiratória, pela impossibilidade de coletar dados que poderiam colaborar no aprimoramento e na avaliação da atuação da equipe, como também, de estudos de sobrevida e prognóstico em ressuscitação cardiorrespiratória diante da escassez de dados que são registrados.O presente estudo teve por objetivo validar e aplicar um instrumento para o registro do atendimento da PCR/RCR no ambiente intra-hospitalar de uma instituição de ensino. A validação de um instrumento é etapa de fundamental importância antes da sua utilização pois verifica a qualidade dos dados. Sua aplicação em uma determinada população também permite perceber como se comporta o instrumento no ambiente em que se pretende implementá-lo, para isso, o instrumento adapatado foi submetido a validação de conteúdo e verificada também sua aplicabilidade. O instrumento foi validado por juízes, quanto ao seu conteúdo. Após, os instrumentos foram utilizados pelos enfermeiros das unidades: PS, UTI, EC/CT, Cardiologia e Moléstias Infecciosas para avaliação da aplicabilidade do instrumento. Na análise dos dados da avaliação dos juízes não houve discordância significativa quanto à clareza (p= 0,353), objetividade (p=0,333) e organização (p=0,107) (Teste de Cochran). Foram coletados 54 registros de atendimento da RCR e após o preenchimento os enfermeiros avaliaram o instrumento quanto a sua utilidade, praticidade e objetividade, obtendo-se mais que 90% de respostas positivas. Na análise dos preenchimentos constatou-se que a média de preenchimento dos dados de identificação do paciente foi de 92,7%; da PCR 72,18%; RCR 81,75%; pós-RCR 89,58%; equipe de atendimento 27,41% e anotações apenas 7,41%. Conclui-se que o instrumento adaptado para o registro dos atendimentos da PCR/RCR, no ambiente intra-hospitalar, foi validado e atende às necessidades da realidade desses atendimentos no hospital estudado. Dessa forma a utilização deste instrumento que apresenta menor complexidade poderia estimular a prática de registros do atendimento da PCR / RCR, orientar novos treinamentos, bem como, direcionar investimentos em recursos físicos e materiais adequados para as unidades destinadas ao cuidado de pacientes críticos e contribuir para a melhoria dos atendimentos / Abstract: Usually, during in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), there is a lack of comprehensive records about the whole procedure, or, more often, they are incomplete, reporting only the times of cardiac arrest (CA) and of death. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the present study were to validate and to apply an instrument that was elaborated to record in-hospital CPR maneuvers in a teaching institution. The validation is the fundamental importance before utilization of an instrument, verifies your quality and the application of an instrument in a determined population also is going to perceive as behaves the instrument in environment that him implemented, for that, the instrument was submitted the validation of content and verified also its aplicability. METHODS: The instrument was previously validated by experts judges regarding its subject matter, and thereafter it was applied by registered nurses at the emergency room, adult intensive care unit, clinical and surgical emergency wards, during cardiac arrest events in order to evaluate its pratical applicability. RESULTS: Data analysis has shown that there was no disagreement among judges regarding the instrument¿s intelligibility (p=0,353), objectivity (p=0,333) and organization (p=0,107). (Cochran¿s test). Fifty- four records of in-hospital CPR have been done, and the nurses were argued to evaluate the instrument¿s utility, praticity and objectivity, within more than 90% of positive answers. Informations concerning patient¿s identification (92,7%), CA characterization (72,18%), CPR maneuvers (81,75%), post-CPR procedures (89,58%), team of attendance (27,41%) and general annotations (7,41%), were possible to be retrieved form the applied instrument. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that an adapted instrument for recording in-hospital CPR procedures could be validated and easily applied by nurses in a teaching hospital. The utilization of this instrument would be able to stimulate to practical of records, news training, direct investments and adequate in-hospital CPR maneuvers in the units destined to take care of critical patients and contribute for the improvement during in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation / Mestrado / Enfermagem e Trabalho / Mestre em Enfermagem

Aim: Spanish-only speaking residents in the United States face barriers to receiving potentially life-saving 911 interventions such as Telephone-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (TCPR) instructions. Since 2015, 911 dispatchers have placed an increased emphasis on rapid identification of potential cardiac arrest. The purpose of this study was to describe the utilization and timing of the 911 system during suspected out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) by Spanish-speaking callers in Metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Methods: The dataset consisted of suspected OHCA from 911 centers from October 10, 2010 through December 31, 2013. Review of audio TCPR process data included whether the need for CPR was recognized by telecommunicators, whether CPR instructions were provided, and the time elements from call receipt to initiation of compressions. Results: A total of 3398 calls were made to 911 for suspected OHCA where CPR was indicated. A total of 39 (1.2%) were determined to have a Spanish language barrier. This averages to 18 calls per year with a Spanish language barrier during the study period, compared with 286 OHCAs expected per year among this population. The average time until telecommunicators recognized CPR need was 87.4 s for the no language barrier group compared to 160.6 s for the Spanish-language barrier group (p < 0.001). Time to CPR instructions started was significantly different between these groups (144.4 s vs 231.3 s, respectively) (p < 0.001), as was time to first compression, (174.4 s vs. 290.9 s, respectively) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study suggests that Hispanic callers under-utilize the 911 system, and when they do call 911, there are significant delays in initiating CPR. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background: For nurses in hospitals, the presence of close relatives in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be an uncertain experience. In 2015, 91 000 deaths occurred in Sweden, many of them in hospitals. Aim: This study aimed to explain nurses' experiences of relatives' presence at cardiopulmonary resuscitation in hospitals. Method: A literature review based on six qualitative and five quantitative articles was performed. Result: Two main themes, to invite and to not invite, constituted the result with four subthemes. The main theme to invite had two subthemes, good occupational experience and self-confidence. The main theme to not invite comprised likewise two subthemes, insecurity about absent guidelines and worry about relatives' reaction. Conclusion: A majority of the nurses believed that relatives should be present at CPR. Nurses believed that relatives easier could accept their relatives' death if they were able to touch their relative, share the last moments in life and say goodbye. Improvement of guidelines and development work is needed to maintain nurses' positive view of relatives' presence at CPR in hospital settings. To strengthen this, national guidelines are also necessary to assist local guidelines.

Historically, family members are separated from patients during the course of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). More recently, the practice of allowing family members to remain during such events, known as "Family Presence" (FP) has become more commonplace. This integrated literature review examined the opinions and experiences of nurses, physicians, families, and patients involved in FP. Results suggest that FP, when properly facilitated, offers positive benefits to participating families, patients, health care personnel, and hospitals. Additionally, nurses tend to be more accepting of FP than physicians. The findings from this review provide rationale to guide the development of evidence-based guidelines related to FP. Subsequently, these guidelines will promote development of nursing interventions and institutional policies that improve outcomes for families during a particularly stressful time.

Bakgrund: I Sverige finns det inga lagar som reglerar beslut om livsupphållande behandling. I de etiska riktlinjerna och föreskrifter står läkarens roll tydligt definierat men inte sjuksköterskans. Ett ställningstagande till HLR är ett etiskt svårt beslut och när en patient inte är beslutsförmögen kan sjuksköterskans expertis i omvårdnad bidra med kunskap och väglednings i beslut om HLR Syfte: Att belysa sjuksköterskans upplevelser kring beslutsfattandet av att avstå hjärt- och lungräddning. Metod: Författarna har genomfört en litteraturöversikt vilket betyder att kunskap inom ett specifikt område har identifierats och analyserats. Resultat: I resultatet beskrivs sjuksköterskors attityder och upplevelser om de etiska dilemman som uppstår vid ställningstagandet och hur sjuksköterskor önskar att vara delaktiga i beslutsfattandet om HLR. Brist på information om HLR till patienter, personal emellan och olika synsätt på HLR kan orsaka konflikter. Sjuksköterskorna beskriver även hur vårdrelationen påverkas av HLR-beslut. Tre huvudteman och åtta subteman framkom. Diskussion: De mest framträdande delarna i resultatet visade på de etiska dilemman som kan uppstå vid ställningstagandet till HLR. De aspekter som påverkar är kommunikation, informella aspekter och värdering av livskvalitet. Olika handlingsalternativ diskuteras i förhållande till uppsatsens bakgrund, teoretisk utgångspunkt, vetenskaplig litteratur och vetenskapliga studier. / Background: In Sweden there are no laws governing the decision on life sustaining treatment. The ethical guidelines and regulations are clear about the physicians role but do not clarify the nurses role. A decision on CPR is ethically difficult and when a patient is not lucid nurse's expertise in nursing can contribute with knowledge and guidance in decisions about CPR. Aim: To explore the nurse’s experiences of decision-making regarding do-not-resuscitate orders. Method: The authors conducted a literature review which refers to knowledge in a specific area which was defined and analyzed. Results: The result describes nurses' attitudes and perceptions about ethical dilemmas that arise in the decision-making process of CPR and the wish to be involved in the decision. Lack of information on CPR to patients, between staff and different approaches to CPR can cause conflicts. The nurses also describe how the relationship is affected by the CPR decision. Three main themes and eight subthemes emerged. Discussion: The most prominent elements of the result showed the ethical dilemmas which may arise from the standpoint of CPR. The aspects that affect the decision-making process are communication, informal aspects and estimation of quality of life. Various choices are discussed in relation to the thesis background, theoretical basis, scientific literature- and studies.

Bakgrund: Tidigare har närstående inte tillåtits att närvara vid hjärt-lungräddning (HLR) men diskussionen har ökat i omfattning. European Resuscitation Council och American Heart Association förespråkar närståendes närvaro men trots detta tillåter många länder inte detta. Sveriges sjukhus inrapporterade 2586 hjärtstopp år 2014. Närstående upplever lidande när en nära blir sjuk, vilket kopplas till familjefokuserad omvårdnad där de närstående och patienten ska ses som en helhet. Här läggs det vikt vid socialt stöd som har betydelse för en individs hälsa, en sjuksköterska kan vara lämplig som stödjande person. Syfte: Syftet med denna litteraturöversikt var att beskriva sjuksköterskans uppfattningar av att ha närstående närvarande vid HLR. Metod: En litteraturöversikt har gjorts innehållande 12 vetenskapliga artiklar med både kvantitativ och kvalitativ ansats. Resultat: Sjuksköterskor känner oro för hur närstående påverkas av att bevittna HLR, att de ska ingripa i återupplivningsarbetet. Sjuksköterskor uppfattar stöd till närstående som väsentligt för att möjliggöra närvaro vid HLR. Närstående uppfattas påverka den sociala och fysiska miljön. Riktlinjer för sjuksköterskor behövs. Konklusioner: Sjuksköterskor uppfattar att det saknas förutsättningar för närstående att närvara vid HLR. Med en stödperson för de närstående och tydliga riktlinjer kan detta främjas. Däremot finns det hinder så som arbetsmiljö som försvårar möjligheten för närståendes närvaro. / Background: Earlier, relatives’ weren ́t allowed to be present at cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but nowdays the topic is highly relevant. European Resuscitation Council and American Heart Association recommends this practice. However, many countries don ́t allow this. In 2014, 2586 cardiac arrests were reported in Swedish hospitals. Relatives are suffering when loved ones becomes ill, which is linked to family-centered care where relatives and patient should be seen as a whole. This places emphasis on social support which ́s important to peoples health. A nurse may be suitable as a support person. Purpose: The purpose of this literature review was to describe nurses' perceptions of having relatives present during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Method: A literature review was made containing 12 scientific articles with both quantitative and qualitative approach. Results: Nurses are concerned about how relatives are affected by witnessing CPR, that they may interfere in the resuscitation efforts. Nurses perceive that support for the relatives are essential. Relatives are perceived to have impact on the social and physical environment. Guidelines for nurses are needed. Conclusions: Nurses perceive that with staff who can support the family and with the availability of guidelines and a well-functioning work environment it ́s possible to have relatives present during CPR.