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A guide to CPR · Updated May 2026

What the data show about CPR.

A guide for patients and families facing decisions about resuscitation. Six short sections covering what CPR is, what published outcomes show, and how to talk with the medical team. Pick where to start.

Start from the beginning → Browse all sections
The headline finding · in-hospital CPR
100 RECEIVE 50 ROSC 17 DISCHARGE 7 HOME 10 1 YEAR 6 GOOD OF 100 PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE CPR IN HOSPITAL

6 of 100 alive, at home, and not readmitted at one year
Sources: Chan NEJM 2013 · Andersen JAMA 2019 · GWTG-R registry

Browse · 6 sections

Pick where to start.

Section 01
What happens after CPR in the hospital
The published outcomes for 100 patients who receive CPR in the hospital — from cardiac arrest through one year afterward.
~4 min read →
Section 02
What "do everything" includes
The sequence of physical interventions involved in resuscitation: chest compressions, intubation, defibrillation, medications, and duration.
~4 min read →
Section 03
How outcomes vary by patient
CPR outcomes differ substantially by age, chronic illness, baseline function, and care setting. The spread of published data.
~5 min read →
Section 04
Estimate the range for a specific situation
An interactive tool. Four general questions about patient profile produce an estimated range from published data. Not a precise prediction.
Interactive · ~3 min →
Section 05
The four options — what each one means
Code status decisions are often framed as all-or-nothing. There are four distinct options: Full Code, Time-Limited Trial, DNR, and Comfort Care.
~5 min read →
Section 06
Questions to ask your medical team
Five specific questions that bring the data, options, and decisions into a real clinical conversation. With example answers for each.
~4 min read →

A working reference, not medical advice.

This guide compiles published outcomes data, validated prognostic tools, and communication frameworks into one place. The data come from peer-reviewed studies and clinical registries, sourced at every step.

It is not a diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment plan. It is meant as a starting point for conversations with your medical team — and a way to know what questions to ask.

For Patients, families, and the people supporting them
Length 25 minutes total · sections can be read individually
Format Phone-friendly · works without an app
Last updated May 2026 · v0.3