Mary Ann Kirkconnell Hall

Background: Inpatient cardiac arrest care had to be adapted to meet the needs of patients and providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providers working in the emergency department and in the inpatient setting have acquired extensive experience and expertise in caring for patients with COVID-19 related cardiac arrest. We summarize recent reports relevant to clinicians on inpatient cardiac arrest care, provider and patient safety, and effective use of resources. Methods: We performed literature searches of the PubMed database on inpatient cardiac arrest, COVID-19, healthcare-associated coronavirus transmission, and others. The authors’ collections of lived experience as inpatient care providers and clinically useful materials gathered during the pandemic were included. Results: We summarize current knowledge about cardiac arrest in COVID-19 relevant to hospitalist practice, describe lessons learned to date, and provide practical guidance for addressing cardiopulmonary resuscitation for patients with COVID-19. We discuss literature on risk factors for cardiac arrest in patients with COVID-19; risk of infection for rescuers performing resuscitation in patients with COVID-19 and mitigation strategies; goals of care during cardiac arrest in a patient with COVID-19; reducing the risk of exposure to rescuers (including pre–cardiac arrest care); reducing cross-contamination during cardiac arrest in patients with COVID-19; prioritizing oxygenation and ventilation strategies with lower aerosolization risk; maximizing resources during cardiac arrest in patients with COVID-19; and post–cardiac arrest care. Conclusions: Advances made in the care of inpatient cardiac arrest patients during the COVID-19 include domains of patient risk stratification, provider safety, advance directives, and others. Lessons in the management of inpatient cardiac arrest learned during this pandemic are likely to applicable to future pandemics.

Adverse cutaneous reactions to medications are not uncommon and may resemble viral infection and vice versa, complicating diagnosis. We describe the case of a 79-year-old male with cholangiocarcinoma with liver and presumed lung metastasis who presented with abdominal pain and was admitted with ileitis with partial small bowel obstruction. He had a widespread papulovesicular rash with hemorrhagic center, mostly on his face, chest, and back. The rash was initially thought to be a drug eruption, but was eventually diagnosed via dermatopathological examination as disseminated varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. Steroid treatment was discontinued, and airborne precautions were initiated. Polymerase chain reaction for VZV was obtained and intravenous acyclovir treatment was begun. This case of VZV, initially suspected to be an adverse drug reaction, highlights the importance of early identification of a highly infectious lesion and the importance of early infection control measures, given the implications of exposure to VZV for health care personnel.