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BACKGROUND In hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) affects approximately 3000 patients annually in Australia. Introduction of the National Standard for Deteriorating Patients in 2011 was associated with reduced IHCA-related ICU admissions and reduced in-hospital mortality of such patients. AIMS To assess whether the reduction in IHCA-related ICU admissions from hospital wards seen following the implementation of National Standard (baseline period 2013-14) was sustained over the follow-up period (2015-2019) in Australia. METHODS Multi-centre retrospective cohort study to compare the characteristics and the outcomes of IHCA admitted to the ICU between baseline and follow-up periods. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients admitted to ICU from the ward following IHCA. Secondary outcomes included ICU and hospital mortality of IHCA-related ICU admissions. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS The proportion of cardiac arrest related admissions from the ward was lower in the follow-up period, when compared to baseline (4.1 vs 3.8%; p=0.04). Such patients had lower illness severity and were more likely to have limitations of treatment (LOMT) at admission. However, after adjustment for severity of illness, the likelihood of being admitted to ICU following cardiac arrest on the ward increased in the follow-up period [OR 1.13 (1.05-1.22); p=0.001]. Hospital mortality was lower in the follow-up period (50.3 vs. 46.3%; p=0.02), but after adjustment the likelihood of death did not differ between the periods [OR 1.0 (0.86-1.17); p=0.98]. CONCLUSION After adjustment for severity of illness the likelihood of being admitted to ICU after IHCA slightly increased in the follow-up period. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.