What is the correct order of the in-hospital chain of survival for adults?

What is the correct order of the in-hospital chain of survival for adults?

• A. Activation of emergency response → Early recognition and prevention → High-quality CPR → Defibrillation → Post-cardiac arrest care → Recovery
• B. Early recognition and prevention → High-quality CPR → Activation of emergency response → Defibrillation → Post-cardiac arrest care → Recovery
• C. Early recognition and prevention → Activation of emergency response → Defibrillation → High-quality CPR → Post-cardiac arrest care → Recovery
• D. Early recognition and prevention → Activation of emergency response → Defibrillation → Recovery → High-quality CPR → Post-cardiac arrest care

Answer: (C)

The sequence tested emphasizes quick action to save adult in-hospital cardiac arrest: catch problems early through recognition and prevention, summon help by activating the emergency response system, deliver a defibrillating shock as soon as a shockable rhythm is identified, then perform high-quality chest compressions to maintain blood flow until return of spontaneous circulation, followed by post-arrest care and recovery. Prompt defibrillation is crucial for shockable rhythms and can restore a perfusing rhythm quickly, so it is prioritized after activation. If ROSC isn’t achieved immediately, continuous, high-quality CPR keeps blood flow going in the meantime. After circulation is restored, focused post-arrest care helps stabilize the patient and address reversible causes, with recovery supporting longer-term rehabilitation.

The sequence tested emphasizes quick action to save adult in-hospital cardiac arrest: catch problems early through recognition and prevention, summon help by activating the emergency response system, deliver a defibrillating shock as soon as a shockable rhythm is identified, then perform high-quality chest compressions to maintain blood flow until return of spontaneous circulation, followed by post-arrest care and recovery. Prompt defibrillation is crucial for shockable rhythms and can restore a perfusing rhythm quickly, so it is prioritized after activation. If ROSC isn’t achieved immediately, continuous, high-quality CPR keeps blood flow going in the meantime. After circulation is restored, focused post-arrest care helps stabilize the patient and address reversible causes, with recovery supporting longer-term rehabilitation.