ANZCOR Scientific Statement Update: In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (IHCA)

ANZCOR Scientific Statement Update: In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (IHCA)

Updated: 14 February 2026

ANZCOR has published an updated Scientific Statement on In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (IHCA), reinforcing the ongoing need to improve prevention, response, post-arrest care, and system-level quality improvement across Australia and New Zealand.

Why This Matters

In-hospital cardiac arrest remains:

  • A high-risk event for hospitalised patients of all ages

  • Associated with poor patient outcomes across Australia and New Zealand

  • Despite advances in resuscitation science and systems of care, significant gaps remain.

Key Issues Identified

The statement highlights ongoing challenges in:

  • Prevention of IHCA

  • Resuscitation team training and performance optimisation

  • Post-arrest care resources

  • Measurement of outcomes

  • Implementation of quality improvement systems

  • Practical implementation in lower-resource settings

Importantly, there is a recognised need for a more practical, scalable approach that can be implemented across a wide range of healthcare environments.

Endorsement of the “10 Steps” Framework

ANZCOR formally endorses the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) scientific statement:

“10 Steps to Improve In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Quality of Care and Outcomes.”

This framework provides a structured systems-level approach to improving IHCA prevention, resuscitation performance, and post-arrest outcomes.

For full scientific detail, refer to the original publications:

Transparency

ANZCOR acknowledges that the Laerdal Foundation financially supported development of the 10 Steps statement.

Referencing the Guideline

When citing this ANZCOR Scientific Statement, the recommended format is:

ANZCOR, 2026, In Hospital Cardiac Arrest, accessed 14 February 2026,
https://www.anzcor.org/home/anzcor-scientific-statements/in-hospital-cardiac-arrest

Executive Summary

  • IHCA remains a significant contributor to poor hospital outcomes.

  • Systems-level gaps persist despite advances in care.

  • ANZCOR endorses the ILCOR “10 Steps” framework to strengthen quality improvement.

  • Emphasis is placed on practical implementation across diverse healthcare settings.

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