Advanced Life Support Skills Research Articles

A systematic review of retention of adult advanced life support knowledge and skills in healthcare providers

ObjectiveAdvanced life support (ALS) guidelines are widely adopted for healthcare provider training with recommendations for retraining every two years or longer. This systematic review studies the retention of adult ALS knowledge and skills following completion of an ALS course in healthcare providers. MethodsWe retrieved original articles using Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PubMed, and reviewed reference citations to identify additional studies. We extracted data from included articles using a structured approach and organized outcomes by evaluation method, and knowledge and skills retention. ResultsAmong 336 articles retrieved, 11 papers were included. Most studies used multiple-choice questionnaires to evaluate knowledge retention and cardiac arrest simulation or other skills tests to evaluate skills retention. All studies reported variable rates of knowledge or skills deterioration over time, from 6 weeks to 2 years after training. Two studies noted retention of knowledge at 18 months and up to 2 years, and one reported skills retention at 3 months. Clinical experience, either prior to or after the courses, has a positive impact on retention of knowledge and skills. ConclusionThere is a lack of large well-designed studies examining the retention of adult ALS knowledge and skills in healthcare providers. The available evidence suggests that ALS knowledge and skills decay by 6 months to 1 year after training and that skills decay faster than knowledge. Additional studies are needed to help provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment of current knowledge and skills and need for refresher training to maximize maintenance of ALS competency.

An Effective Method of Teaching Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Skills in Simulation-Based Training.

Purpose:In this study, we compared the effects of constructivist and traditional teaching strategies in teaching advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) skills during simulation-based training (SBT).Methods:A randomized, pre- and post-test control group study was designed to examine this issue in 29 third-year emergency medical technician (EMT) students. Participants received SBT through constructivist SBT (CSBT) or traditional lecture-based SBT (TSBT) teaching strategies. We evaluated the effects of the simulation training on ACLS knowledge, and performance immediately after practice and at retention.Results:The knowledge and performance of the CSBT group were higher than compared with the TSBT group (mean knowledge 33.3±5.03 vs. 29.5±5.33, p=0.36; and mean performance 12.20±1.85 vs. 8.85±3.54, p=0.010). However, there was no difference between two groups in retention between groups 1 month later (mean knowledge 31.86±4.45 vs. 31.50±4.65, p=0.825; and mean performance 12.13±0.99 vs. 12.57±1.78, p=0.283).Conclusion:CSBT is more effective with regard to knowledge acquisition and performance than TSBT. Further studies are needed to explore ways of improving retention and transfer of knowledge from simulated to real situations with SBT.

Safe sedation?

Safe sedation?

Cardiac Arrest in the PACU: An Analysis of Evolving Challenges for Perianesthesia Nursing

Cardiac arrest in the PACU is a rare and poorly described event, with attendant limitations to experiential learning for the perianesthesia nurse. Good outcome from in-hospital cardiac arrest events differs partly because of variability in direct causes and clinical responses. Development of in-house training programs tailored to retain basic and advanced life support skills and enhance perianesthesia nurse responses to PACU arrests are essential to improving outcomes.

Advanced Rescuer- versus Citizen-Witnessed Cardiac Arrest: Is There a Difference in Outcome??

Background. Substantial financial and human resources are invested in training and maintaining advanced life support (ALS) skills of paramedics who are deployed to the field in response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. It would be expected that patients who experience cardiac arrest in the presence of a trained health care practitioner, such as a paramedic, have better outcomes. Objective. To compare the rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital admission (SHA), and survival to hospital discharge (SHD) between paramedic-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest vs. citizen-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods. In this retrospective cohort study, the records of all out-of-hospital nontraumatic cardiac arrest patients presenting to a municipal teaching hospital from November 1, 1994, through June 30, 2008, were reviewed. The age, gender, race, rhythm on paramedic arrival, presence of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), whether it was a witnessed arrest and, if witnessed, whether it was a paramedic-witnessed arrest, site of the arrest, and the rate of SHD were noted. A univariate odds ratio was computed to describe the association between paramedic-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest vs.citizen-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and SHD. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was also performed, controlling for age, gender, arrest rhythm, bystander CPR, and site of arrest. Results. Of the total cohort of 1,294 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, 750 (52.6%%) were either paramedic-witnessed (154/750 == 20.5%%) or citizen-witnessed (596/750 == 79.5%%). Among the witnessed cardiac arrests, overall the SHD was 53 of 750 (7.1%%). On univariate analysis, the ROSC, SHA, or SHD rates were not statistically significantly different between paramedic- and citizen-witnessed arrests. Even after multivariable adjustment, the ROSC, SHA, and SHD rates were not significantly different between paramedic- and citizen-witnessed arrests. Conclusions. Among our study population of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims, paramedic-witnessed arrests did not appear to have improved survival rates when compared with citizen-witnessed arrests. Key words: cardiac arrest; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; advanced life support; basic life support

Cardiac arrest scripts: Measuring the retention of the skills required to manage out-of-hospital cardiac arrest following a new training intervention

Purpose of the study: Practitioners involved in resuscitation education are always looking for innovative and effective ways of teaching advanced life support (ALS) skills. The Cardiac arrest scripts (CAS) have been developed as a means to helping student paramedics learn how to manage out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Part 5: Adult Basic Life Support

Part 8 : Advanced life support : 2010 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations

Part 5: Adult basic life support: 2010 International consensus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care science with treatment recommendations

Part 5: Adult basic life support: 2010 International consensus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care science with treatment recommendations

Diagnóstico e tratamento de parada cardiorrespiratória: avaliação do conhecimento teórico de médicos em hospital geral

The main causes of cardiopulmonary arrest are endemic, and require constant medical improvement on cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques. Training and continued education are essential to skilled management of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This study aimed to evaluate the physicians' theoretical knowledge on diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary arrest. This was a cross-sectional descriptive research conducted in a general hospital in Roraima, Brazil. The study population consisted of physicians who worked in the emergency department and intensive care units. The data were collected using a questionnaire addressing the subject. Forty four physicians answered the questionnaire. The mean score was 50% right answers. Most (88.5%) respondents committed "fatal errors". Half of the sample was never trained in advanced life support skills. No correlation was found between the number of right answers and attendance to advanced life support training courses. An inverse correlation was found between performance and age, but no statistically significant correlation was seen regarding performance and time from medical graduation. The physicians' theoretical knowledge on this field is worrisome. The results point to the importance of professional advanced life support training in order to assure quality standards for cardiac arrest management in this general hospital.

Effect of Crew Size on Objective Measures of Resuscitation for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background. There is no consensus among emergency medical services (EMS) systems as to the optimal numbers and training of EMS providers who respond to the scene of prehospital cardiac arrests. Increased numbers of providers may improve the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but this has not been studied as part of a comprehensive resuscitation scenario. Objective. To compare different all-paramedic crew size configurations on objective measures of patient resuscitation using a high-fidelity human simulator. Methods. We compared two-, three-, and four-person all-paramedic crew configurations in the effectiveness and timeliness of performing basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) skills during the first 8 minutes of a simulated cardiac arrest scenario. Crews were compared to determine differences in no-flow fraction (NFF) as a measure of effectiveness of CPR and time to defibrillation, endotracheal intubation, establishment of intravenous access, and medication administration. Results. There was no significant difference in mean NFF among the two-, three-, and four-provider crew configurations (0.32, 0.26, and 0.27, respectively; p == 0.105). More three- and four-person groups completed ALS procedures during the scenario, but there was no significant difference in time to performance of BLS or ALS procedures among the crew size configurations for completed procedures. There was a trend toward lower time to intubation with increasing group size, though this was not significant using a Bonferroni-corrected p-value of 0.01 (379, 316, and 263 seconds, respectively; p == 0.018). Conclusion. This study found no significant difference in effectiveness of CPR or in time to performance of BLS or ALS procedures among crew size configurations, though there was a trend toward decreased time to intubation with increased crew size. Effectiveness of CPR may be hindered by distractions related to the performance of ALS procedures with increasing group size, particularly with an all-paramedic provider model. We suggest a renewed emphasis on the provision of effective CPR by designated providers independent of any ALS interventions being performed.

Needle Thoracostomy by Non-Medical Law Enforcement Personnel: Preliminary Data on Knowledge Retention

Tension pneumothorax is the second leading cause of preventable combat death. Although relatively simple, the management of tension pneumothorax is considered an advanced life support skill set. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of non-medical law enforcement personnel to learn this skill set and to determine long-term knowledge and skill retention. After completing a pre-intervention questionnaire, a total of 22 tactical team operators completed a 90-minute-long training session in recognition and management of tension pneumothorax. Post-intervention testing was performed immediately post-training, and at one- and six-months post-training. Initial training resulted in a significant increase in knowledge (pre: 1.3 +/- 1.35, max score 7; post: 6.8 +/- 0.62, p < 0.0001). Knowledge retention persisted at one- and six-months post-training, without significant decrement. Non-medical law enforcement personnel are capable of learning needle decompression, and retain this knowledge without significant deterioration for at least six months.

Medical emergency team: a review of the literature

A medical emergency team (MET) comprises of a team of doctors and nurses with advanced life support skills, which are hospital based, who respond to emergency calls following a deterioration in a patient's clinical condition. The role and contribution of such approaches promoting the early recognition and intervention of these vulnerable patients demands critical appraisal. To investigate the contribution of medical emergency teams and whether there are clinical antecedents evident prior to the triggering the MET system. The paper will also discuss factors influencing effective utilization and implementation strategies to encourage a culture change required to adopt the MET system. A critical review the relevant literature of studies focussed on the MET system. The majority of published work relating to MET systems was conducted in single-centres. The introduction of MET systems appears to be linked to a reported reduction in adverse outcomes and early recognition and intervention in clinically deteriorating patients. Additionally, a consistent observation in the studies reviewed was the reported presence of clinically abnormal physiological observations prior to the clinical events such as the cardiac arrest. The evidence in support of MET or equivalent systems, is not straightforward. Issues such as education, resources (human and financial) and communication are vital to success with implementation. Responding promptly to patients who unexpectedly become acutely ill demands skill and competence; however, more research evaluating the role of early 'response' systems is warranted.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training for Medical Students in Anesthesiology Rotation in Ardabil Medical University (Iran)

Background and purpose: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for undergraduate medical students has been noted to be poor in the past. Attempts have been made The aim of this study is to determine effect of CPR training in the anesthetic ward to improve knowledge and practice undergraduate medical student of CPR. Methods: A 12 month Educational experimental study with self control was done on all undergraduate medical student (n=30) at the medical university of Ardabil in 2006-2007. During I month of program all this students have undergone CPR training including basic life support (BLS) , advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and practical skills. Data were collected via questionnaire, demographic, pre/post knowledge and practice. Results: After training the acceptable score (good and very good) about knowledge of BLS, ACLS and practical skill significantly increased %6.7 to %50 (p=0.0001) , %13.3 to %53.4 (p=0.001) and %3.3 to %100 (p=0.001) respectively. A significant relationship between knowledge of ACLS and practical skills was shown (p=0.005). Conclusion: The CPR training course in anesthetic ward leads to a significant increased in skills and knowledge. Adding this course to undergraduate curriculum of medical students especially in operatically wards (e.g. Anesthetic ward) is essential.

Increased survival despite a reduction in out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation in north-east Italy

We have reported the epidemiology and survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOH-CA) in a north-east region of Italy previously, the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Arrest Cooperative Study (FACS). We present the results of a second observational, prospective, multicentre study on OOH-CA victims in a local area in the same geographical Italian region. The area investigated, Pordenone province, is representative of the entire region studied in 1994. In the 1994 FACS study, the heterogeneous ambulance personnel, ranging from volunteers to registered nurses and physicians, were not all trained in basic life support and early defibrillation. In 2003 all rescuers had advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) skills. Moreover, in 2003 dispatch-guided CPR was used. The time from dispatch to defibrillation of victims of OOH-CA from cardiac aetiology was comparable between 1994 and 2003. However, the rate of ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) as presenting rhythm decreased significantly between 1994 and 2003 from 30.2% to 20.1% (p < 0.05). Despite this, survival to hospital discharge for VF/VT almost tripled (15.4% versus 41.0%; p < 0.05). Hospital discharge for asystole or pulseless electrical activity remained dismal (3.1% and 1.7%). Despite a reduction in the rate of VF/VT as presenting rhythm, survival was almost tripled. Manning all ambulances with professional emergency medical personnel and ACLS training together with dispatch-guided CPR may have contributed to the improvements observed in survival rates.

Effect of Night Vision Goggles on Performance of Advanced Life Support Skills by Emergency Personnel

Night vision goggles (NVGs) are used by military personnel operating in low-light environments. It is not known whether NVGs can be used by medical personnel to provide emergency care under such conditions. This was a randomized controlled study to determine the effect of NVGs on the performance of intravenous line insertion (IVI) and endotracheal intubation (El) on training manikins. Emergency physicians and paramedics were randomized to perform EI and IVI in ambient light or in total darkness using NVGs. Each skill was repeated three times, and averages were determined. The average times for EI in ambient light and with NVGs were 48.4 and 188.2 seconds, respectively (SE of 13.4 seconds for both; p < 0.0001). The average times for IVI in ambient light and with NVGs were 34.7 and 73.7 seconds, respectively (SE of 4.1 seconds for both; p < 0.0001). Emergency personnel were able to successfully perform these skills using NVGs, but their times were significantly longer than in ambient light.

Mastery learning of advanced cardiac life support skills by internal medicine residents using simulation technology and deliberate practice.

Internal medicine residents must be competent in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) for board certification. To use a medical simulator to assess postgraduate year 2 (PGY-2) residents' baseline proficiency in ACLS scenarios and evaluate the impact of an educational intervention grounded in deliberate practice on skill development to mastery standards. Pretest-posttest design without control group. After baseline evaluation, residents received 4, 2-hour ACLS education sessions using a medical simulator. Residents were then retested. Residents who did not achieve a research-derived minimum passing score (MPS) on each ACLS problem had more deliberate practice and were retested until the MPS was reached. Forty-one PGY-2 internal medicine residents in a university-affiliated program. Observational checklists based on American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines with interrater and internal consistency reliability estimates; deliberate practice time needed for residents to achieve minimum competency standards; demographics; United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 and Step 2 scores; and resident ratings of program quality and utility. Performance improved significantly after simulator training. All residents met or exceeded the mastery competency standard. The amount of practice time needed to reach the MPS was a powerful (negative) predictor of posttest performance. The education program was rated highly. A curriculum featuring deliberate practice dramatically increased the skills of residents in ACLS scenarios. Residents needed different amounts of training time to achieve minimum competency standards. Residents enjoy training, evaluation, and feedback in a simulated clinical environment. This mastery learning program and other competency-based efforts illustrate outcome-based medical education that is now prominent in accreditation reform of residency education.

Graduating internal medicine residents’ self-assessment and performance of advanced cardiac life support skills

Internal medicine residents in the US must be competent to perform procedures including Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) to become board-eligible. Our aim was to determine if residents near graduation could assess their skills in ACLS procedures accurately. Participants were 40 residents in a university-based training program. Self-assessments of confidence in managing six ACLS scenarios were measured on a 0 (very low) to 100 (very high) scale. These were compared to reliable observational ratings of residents’ performance on a high-fidelity simulator using published treatment protocols. Residents expressed strong self-confidence about managing the scenarios. Residents’ simulator performance varied widely (range from 45% to 94%). Self-confidence assessments correlated poorly with performance (median r = 0.075). Self-assessment of performance by graduating internal medicine residents was not accurate in this study. The use of self-assessment to document resident competence in procedures such as ACLS is not a proxy for objective evaluation.

Major Changes in the 2005 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC

The emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) scientists involved in the 2005 evidence evaluation process and the revision of the 2005 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC began and ended the process aware of the limitations of the resuscitation scientific evidence, optimistic about emerging data that documents the benefits of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and determined to make recommendations that would increase survival from cardiac arrest and life-threatening emergencies. This editorial summarizes the factors that contributed to the tipping point, the point at which information and discussion either triggered support for major changes in the guidelines or reaffirmed existing recommendations. The scientists critically reviewed the sequence and priorities of the steps of CPR to identify those factors with the greatest potential impact on survival. They then developed recommendations to support those interventions that should be performed frequently and well. There was unanimous support for increased emphasis on ensuring that rescuers deliver high-quality CPR: rescuers need to provide an adequate number and depth of compressions, allow complete chest recoil after each compression, and minimize interruptions in chest compressions. The 2005 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC are based on the most comprehensive review of resuscitation literature ever published.1 The evidence evaluation process incorporated the input of 281 international resuscitation experts who evaluated research, topics, and hypotheses over a 36-month period before the 2005 Consensus Conference. The process included structured evidence evaluation, analysis, and documentation of the literature.2 It also included rigorous disclosure and management of potential conflicts of interest, a process summarized in two editorials.3,4 Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care is a relatively new field. The epidemiologic data is incomplete, and high-level evidence is insufficient to support many recommendations. Although sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is responsible for an estimated 250 000 deaths out of the hospital in the United …

Part 2: Adult basic life support

The consensus conference addressed many questions related to the performance of basic life support. These have been grouped into (1) epidemiology and recognition of cardiac arrest, (2) airway and ventilation, (3) chest compression, (4) compression–ventilation sequence, (5) postresuscitation positioning, (6) special circumstances, (7) emergency medical services (EMS) system, and (8) risks to the victim and rescuer. Defibrillation is discussed separately in Part 3 because it is both a basic and an advanced life support skill.

Does Advanced Life Support Provide Benefits to Patients?: A Literature Review

Emergency medical services have invested substantial resources to establish advanced life support (ALS) programs. However, it is unclear whether ALS care provides better outcomes to patients compared to basic life support (BLS) care. To evaluate the current evidence regarding the benefits of ALS. Electronic medical databases were searched to identify articles that directly compared ALS versus BLS care. A total of 455 articles were found. Articles were excluded for the following reasons: (1) the article was not written in English; (2) BLS response was not compared to an ALS response; (3) a physician or nurse was included as part of the ALS response; (4) it was an aeromedical response; or (5) defibrillation was included in the ALS, but not the BLS, scope of care. Twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria for this literature review. Results were divided into four categories: (1) trauma; (2) cardiac arrest; (3) myocardial infarction; and (4) altered mental status. Trauma: The majority of articles showed that ALS provided no benefits over BLS in urban trauma patients. In fact, most studies showed higher mortality rates for trauma patients receiving ALS care. Further research is needed to evaluate the benefits of ALS for rural trauma patients, and whether ALS care improves outcomes in subgroups of urban trauma patents. Cardiac Arrest: Cardiac arrest studies show that early CPR plus early defibrillation provide the greatest improvement in survival. However, most cardiac arrest research includes defibrillation as an ALS skill which has now moved into the BLS scope of care. The 2004 multi-center OPALS study provided good evidence that ALS does not improve cardiac arrest survival over early defibrillation. Further research is needed to address whether any ALS interventions improve cardiac arrest outcome. Myocardial Infarction: Only one study directly compared the outcome of BLS and ALS care on myocardial infarction. The study found no difference in outcomes between BLS and ALS care in an urban setting. Advanced Life Support: Only one study directly compared the outcome of BLS and ALS care on patients with altered mental status. The study found that the same number of patients had improved to "alert" on arrival at the emergency department, but there was a decreased length of emergency department stay for patients treated by ALS for hypoglycemia. This review article does not take into account the benefits of 2005 ALS interventions, such as thrombolytics, dextrose, or nitroglycerin, since no studies directly compared these interventions to BLS care. Furthermore, only one study in this literature review was a large, multi-center trial. ALS shows little, if any, benefits for urban trauma patients. Cardiac arrest studies show that ALS does not provide additional benefits over BLS-defibrillation care, but more research is needed in this area. In two small studies, ALS care did not provide benefits over BLS care for patients with myocardial infarctions or altered mental status. Larger-scale studies are needed to evaluate which specific ALS interventions improve patient outcomes.