Using an Information System to Optimize the ACLS Process at the Emergency Department

Abstract

The best first-aid treatment for cardiac arrest patients is advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) in terms both of saving lives and of reducing the incidence of sequelae. The American Heart Association (AHA) published updated ACLS guidelines for care in 2015. These updated guidelines emphasized the importance of teamwork in resuscitation, noting that, in addition to standard procedures, team members should be familiar with their distinct roles and should cooperate together during emergent situations. Implementing ACLS is not easy due to stress and unfamiliarity with the process and thus often achieves less-than-optimal results in practice. However, ACLS is a standard approach that uses the same procedures to address different cardiac arrest situations. Therefore, we wanted to use an information system to assist the medical team to fully implement the ACLS process. The information system helps the medical team perform resuscitation actions more intensively and precisely while avoiding problems and mistakes due to forgetfulness / unfamiliarity, facilitating an optimal resuscitation effort. Concurrently, electronic medical and nursing records are completed automatically, avoiding the need for medical staff to compile these records afterwards. This information system helps save time and effort and improves precision. Furthermore, data analysis is more convenient, which facilitates the effective management and supervision of resuscitation quality. The information system performs timing, prompting, and guidance in accordance with the ACLS process and records the procedures that will used in emergency treatment (i.e., chest compression frequency, establishment of intravenous route, placement of endotracheal tubes, electric shock, drug type, dose) with a simple click of a mouse. Finally, the associated medical record is completed and logged as soon as the automatically generated file is uploaded. All hospital staffs may use this information system to assist in the implementation of advanced CPR. The system improves the quality of the first aid measures applied in life support, reduces the burden on clinics and medical staff, and streamlines the preparation and submission of medical records.