Medical Behavior in Cardiorespiratory Arrest before and After Simulation Based on Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Course

Abstract Background: The Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) course is designed to teach cardiovascular emergency, aiming to promote a harmonious and synchronized work of the entire hospital team, making the multidisciplinary job more effective in the execution of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Objective: To compare the effectiveness of CPR performed between physicians trained on ACLS and non-trained physicians. Methods: A questionnaire was applied to physicians working at the emergency room of hospitals in Curitiba, state of Paraná, whose resolution required theoretical and practical knowledge about CPR. For analysis, descriptive statistics and Fisher's association analysis were used, and the medians of the groups were evaluated by Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis with significance of 5%. Results: Thirty-four physicians were volunteers, of whom 20 had taken the ACLS course (Group A) and 14 had not (Group B). The trained physicians obtained the highest median (4.00 vs. 3.00, p = 0.06) of correct answers. Group A scored at least 3 of the 5 questions in the questionnaire, showing better performance than Group B (OR = 6.75, 95% CI, 1.1 < OR < 41.0, p = 0.04). The year of the course did not significantly change the performance in the questionnaire. Conclusion: It is suggested that the ACLS course was effective in qualifying physicians to handle situations of cardiorespiratory arrest properly, which was reproduced by the better performance in the resolution of the questionnaire. It is believed that when the sample of volunteers is increased, the trends found materialize the other hypotheses proposed.

Impact of training in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) in the professional career and work environment / Impacto da capacitação no Suporte Avançado à Vida em Cardiologia (SAVC) na carreira profissional e no ambiente de trabalho

Abstract We sought to evaluate the impact of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training in the professional career and work environment of physicians who took the course in a single center certified by the American Heart Association (AHA). Of the 4631 students (since 1999 to 2009), 2776 were located, 657 letters were returned, with 388 excluded from the analysis for being returned lacking addressees. The final study population was composed of 269 participants allocated in 3 groups (< 3 years, 3-5 and > 5years). Longer training was associated with older age, male gender, having undergone residency training, private office, greater earnings and longer time since graduation and a lower chance to participate in providing care for a cardiac arrest. Regarding personal change, no modification was detected according to time since taking the course. The only change in the work environment was the purchase of an automated external defibrillator (AED) by those who had taken the course more than 5 years ago. In multivariable analysis, however, the implementation of an AED was not independently associated with this group, which showed a lower chance to take a new ACLS course. ACLS courses should emphasize also how physicians could reinforce the survival chain through environmental changes.

Resumo Buscou-se avaliar o impacto do curso de Suporte Avançado a Vida em Cardiologia (SAVC) na carreira e no ambiente profissional de médicos formados em um centro de treinameto certificado pela American Heart Association (AHA). De 4631 estudantes (desde 1999 até 2009), 2776 foram encontrados, 657 cartas retornaram, sendo 388 excluidas da análise devido à não localização do endereço. A população final estudada foi composta por 269 participantes alocados em 3 grupos (< 3 anos, 3-5 anos e > 5 anos). Tempo maior de treinamento foi associado a sexo masculino, ter feito residência médica, de idade maior, melhores salários e mais tempo de formação, também menor chance de participar de um atendimento de parada cardíaca. No quesito mudança pessoal, nenhuma modificação foi detectada independentemente do tempo de curso. A única mudança no local de trabalho foi a implantação do desfibrilador externo automático (DEA) por aqueles que terminaram o curso há mais de 5 anos. Na análise multivariada, entretanto, a implementação de DEA não foi associada independentemente nesse grupo, que mostrou menor chance de repetir o curso. Os cursos SAVC deveriam enfatizar a forma como os médicos poderiam reforçar as mudanças no trabalho, melhorando a cadeia de sobrevida.

Characteristics of training and motivation of physicians working in emergency medicine

Summary Introduction: Emergency medicine is an area in which correct decisions often need to be made fast, thus requiring a well-prepared medical team. There is little information regarding the profile of physicians working at emergency departments in Brazil. Objective: To describe general characteristics of training and motivation of physicians working in the emergency departments of medium and large hospitals in Salvador, Brazil. Method: A cross-sectional study with standardized interviews applied to physicians who work in emergency units in 25 medium and large hospitals in Salvador. At least 75% of the professionals at each hospital were interviewed. One hospital refused to participate in the study. Results: A total of 659 physicians were interviewed, with a median age of 34 years (interquartile interval: 29-44 years), 329 (49.9%) were female and 96 (14.6%) were medical residents working at off hours. The percentage of physicians who had been trained with Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support courses was 5.2, 18.4 and 11.0%, respectively, with a greater frequency of Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support training among younger individuals (23.6% versus 13.9%; p<0.001). Thirteen percent said they were completely satisfied with the activity, while 81.3% expressed a desire to stop working in emergency units in the next 15 years, mentioning stress levels as the main reason. Conclusion: The physicians interviewed had taken few emergency immersion courses. A low motivational level was registered in physicians who work in the emergency departments of medium and large hospitals in Salvador.

Can course format influence the performance of students in an advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) program?

Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) is a problem-based course that employs simulation techniques to teach the standard management techniques of cardiovascular emergencies. Its structure is periodically revised according to new versions of the American Heart Association guidelines. Since it was introduced in Brazil in 1996, the ACLS has been through two conceptual and structural changes. Detailed documented reports on the effect of these changes on student performance are limited. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of conceptual and structural changes of the course on student ACLS performance at a Brazilian training center. This was a retrospective study of 3266 students divided into two groups according to the teaching model: Model 1 (N = 1181; 1999-2003) and Model 2 (N = 2085; 2003-2007). Model 2 increased practical skill activities to 75 percent of the total versus 60 percent in Model 1. Furthermore, the teaching material provided to the students before the course was more objective than that used for Model 1. Scores greater than 85 percent in the theoretical evaluation and approval in the evaluation of practice by the instructor were considered to be a positive outcome. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders (specialty, residency, study time, opportunity to enhance practical skills during the course and location where the course was given). Compared to Model 1, Model 2 presented odds ratios (OR) indicating better performance in the theoretical (OR = 1.34; 95 percentCI = 1.10-1.64), practical (OR = 1.19; 95 percentCI = 0.90-1.57), and combined (OR = 1.38; 95 percentCI = 1.13-1.68) outcomes. Increasing the time devoted to practical skills did not improve the performance of ACLS students.

Estratégias tecnológicas de ensino associadas ao treinamento em Suporte Básico de Vida / Estrategias tecnológicas de enseñanza asociadas al entrenamiento en Soporte Básico de Vida / Technological strategies associated with training in Basic Life Support

Neste estudo objetivou-se analisar a eficácia e as vantagens do uso dos recursos tecnológicos para o ensino em Suporte Básico de Vida (SBV) por meio de revisão narrativa. Foram analisados 29 artigos publicados e indexados nas bases de dados MedLine, PubMed e LILACS que utilizaram vídeo, CD-ROM, DVD, websites e programas computacionais para o ensino em SBV. Observou-se que a utilização desses recursos pode favorecer a aquisição de conhecimento em níveis similares ou superiores aos métodos tardicionais de ensino. Dentre as vantagens observadas citam-se a redução dos custos de treinamento, a facilidade de acesso e padronização das informações.

En este estudio se tuvo como objetivo analizar la eficacia y las ventajas del uso de los recursos tecnológicos para la enseñanza del Soporte Básico de Vida (SBV) por medio de revisión narrativa. Se analizaron 29 artículos publicados e indexados en las bases de datos MedLine, PubMed y LILACS que utilizaron video, CD-ROM, DVD, websites y programas de informática para la enseñanza en SBV. Se observó que la utilización de esos recursos puede favorecer en la adquisición de conocimientos en niveles similares o superiores a los métodos tradicionales de enseñanza. Entre las ventajas observadas se citan la reducción de los costos de entrenamiento, la facilidad de acceso y patronización de las informaciones.

This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness and advantages of the use of technological resources for teaching Basic Life Support (SBV) through a narrative review. We analyzed 29 articles published and indexed in these sources: Medline, PubMed and LILACS that used video, CD-ROM, DVD, websites and computer programs for teaching SBV. It was observed that the use of these resources may favor the acquisition of knowledge at levels similar or superior to methods of traditional teaching. Among the observed advantages cited were the reduction in training costs, ease of access and standardization of information.

Educação Permanente em SBV e SAVC: impacto no conhecimento dos profissionais de enfermagem / Permanent Education in BLS and ACLS: impact on the knowledge of nursing professionals / Educación permanente en SBV y SAV: impacto en el conocimiento de los profesionales de enfermería

Fundamento: O conhecimento teórico e as habilidades práticas das equipes de Suporte Básico de Vida (SBV) e Suporte Avançado de Vida (SAV) estão entre os determinantes mais importantes das taxas de sucesso em reanimação cardiopulmonar. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto de um programa permanente de treinamento em SBV e SAV no conhecimento dos profissionais de enfermagem. Método: Estudo de corte transversal. A população foi composta por profissionais de enfermagem de um hospital de nível terciário. Foram realizadas avaliações antes e após o treinamento. Abordaram-se pontos críticos das diretrizes do International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). Resultados: Foram avaliados 213 profissionais (76 enfermeiros, 35,7 por cento; 38 auxiliares, 17,8 por cento; e 99 técnicos, 46,7 por cento). As médias na avaliação pré-curso foram estatisticamente diferentes (p<0,001) entre auxiliares (3,25), técnicos (3,96) e enfermeiros (4,69). Os profissionais solteiros e sem filhos apresentaram desempenho significativamente superior ao dos casados e com filhos (p=0,02 e 0,004 respectivamente). O nível de conhecimento pré-treinamento foi inversamente proporcional ao tempo transcorrido desde a conclusão da graduação ou curso técnico. As maiores deficiências foram relacionadas à abordagem inicial das vias aéreas, aos cuidados pós-ressuscitação e à técnica de massagem cardíaca externa. A média geral pós-curso foi 7,26. Os auxiliares alcançaram um desempenho de 131,2 por cento, os técnicos de 78,9 por cento e os enfermeiros de 85 por cento, sem diferença estatisticamente significante (p=0,43). Conclusão: O programa de treinamento permanente em SBV e SAV resultou em importante incremento no nível de conhecimento dos profissionais de enfermagem.

Background: The theoretical knowledge and practical skills of the Basic Life Support (BLS) and the Advanced Life Support (ALS) are among the most important determining factors of the cardiopulmonary reanimation success rates. Objective: Assess the impact of a permanent training program in BLS and ALS on the knowledge of nursing professionals. Method: Cross-sectional study. Population was made of nursing professionals of a tertiary level hospital. Assessments were carried out before and after training. The critical points of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) analysis were addressed. Results: 213 professionals were assessed (76 nurses, 35.7 percent; 38 assistants, 17.8 percent; and 99 technicians, 46.7 percent). Pre-course assessment average grades were statistically different (p<0.001) among assistants (3.25), technicians (3.96) and nurses (4.69). Single professional without kids showed performance significantly superior to married professional with kids (p=0.02 and 0.004 respectively). Pre-training level of knowledge was inversely proportional to the time elapsed since the completion of undergraduate course or technical course. Main deficiencies were related to the initial approach of airways, to post-resuscitation cares and to the external cardiac massage technique. The post-course general average grade was 7.26. Assistants achieved a performance of 131.2 percent, technicians, of 78.9 percent and the nurses, of 85 percent, with no significant statistic difference (p=0.43). Conclusion: The permanent training program in BLS and ALS resulted in important increment in the level of knowledge of nursing professionals.

Fundamento: El conocimiento teórico y las habilidades prácticas de los equipos de Soporte Básico de Vida (SBV) y Soporte Avanzado de Vida (SAV) están entre los determinantes más importantes de los índices de éxito en reanimación cardiopulmonar. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de un programa permanente de entrenamiento en SBV y SAV en el conocimiento de los profesionales de enfermería. Método: Estudio de corte transversal. La población estaba compuesta por profesionales de enfermería de un hospital de nivel terciario. Se realizaron evaluaciones antes y después del entrenamiento. Se abordaron puntos críticos de las directrices del International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). Resultados: Se evaluaron 213 profesionales (76 enfermeros, 35,7 por ciento, 38 auxiliares, 17,8 por ciento y 99 técnicos, 46,7 por ciento). Los promedios en la evaluación previa al curso fueron estadísticamente diferentes (p<0,001) entre auxiliares (3,25), técnicos (3,96) y enfermeros (4,69). Los profesionales solteros y sin hijos presentaron desempeño significativamente superior al de los casados y con hijos (p=0,02 y 0,004 respectivamente). El nivel de conocimiento previo al entrenamiento fue inversamente proporcional al tiempo transcurrido desde la conclusión de la graduación o curso técnico. Las mayores deficiencias estaban relacionadas al abordaje inicial de las vías aéreas, a los cuidados post resucitación y a la técnica de masaje cardíaco externo. El promedio general después del curso fue 7,26. Los auxiliares alcanzaron un desempeño del 131,2 por ciento, los técnicos del 78,9 por ciento y los enfermeros del 85 por ciento, sin diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p=0,43). Conclusión: El programa de entrenamiento permanente en SBV y SAV resultó en un importante incremento en el nivel de conocimiento de los profesionales de enfermería.

Influência do subsídio financeiro e do local da realização do curso de suporte avançado de vida em cardiologia, no aprendizado da emergência cardiovascular / Influence of financial subsidy and venue on advanced cardiac life support courses, in the learning of cardiovascular emergency

FUNDAMENTO: O sucesso no aprendizado da emergência depende de muitos fatores que podem ser resumidos como: aluno, instrutores e curso. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do subsídio financeiro e do local da realização do curso no aprendizado da emergência cardiovascular. MÉTODOS: Analisaram-se dados referentes aos cursos de Suporte Avançado de Vida em Cardiologia (ACLS) no período de dezembro de 2005 a dezembro de 2006. De acordo com o subsídio financeiro, foram divididos em: grupo 1 - subsídio integral; grupo 2 - subsídio de 50 por cento; e grupo 3 - sem subsídio. Quanto ao local do curso, foram divididos em: local A - curso em cidade com > 1 milhão de habitantes; e local B - curso em cidade com < 1 milhão de habitantes. Compararam-se a aprovação prática e teórica e a média teórica. RESULTADOS: Participaram do ACLS 819 alunos: 199 (24 por cento) no grupo 1, 122 (15 por cento) no 2 e 498 (61 por cento) no 3. A aprovação prática e teórica e a média na prova teórica foram maiores no grupo 3 que nos demais grupos (p<0,05). Quatrocentos e oitenta e dois fizeram o curso no local A (59 por cento) e 337 (41 por cento) no local B. A aprovação prática foi semelhante para ambos os grupos (p = 0,33), entretanto a aprovação teórica foi maior no local A (73 por cento vs. 65 por cento - p = 0,021 - OR = 1,44 e IC: 1,05 - 1,97). A média teórica foi maior no local A (87,1 ± 10,4 e 86 ± 11, respectivamente p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O subsídio financeiro e o local da realização do curso influenciaram na aprovação teórica e prática.

BACKGROUND: The success in learning of emergency depends on many factors that can be summarized as: student, instructors and course. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of financial subsidy and venue of course in learning cardiovascular emergency. METHODS: Data were analyzed regarding the courses of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) in the period from December 2005 to December 2006. In agreement with the financial subsidy, they were divided in: group 1 - integral subsidy; group 2 - subsidy of 50 percent; and group 3 - without subsidy. As for the venue of the course, they were divided in: locality A - study in city with> 1 million inhabitants; and locality B - study in city with <1 million inhabitants. The practical and theoretical approval and the theoretical average were compared. RESULTS: 819 students participated in ACLS: 199 (24 percent) in group 1, 122 (15 percent) in 2 and 498 (61 percent) in 3. The practical and theoretical approval and the average in the theoretical exam were greater in group 3 than in other groups (p <0.05). Four hundred and eighty two (482) took the course in venue A (59 percent) and 337 (41 percent) in venue B. The practical approval was similar for both groups (p = 0.33), however the theoretical approval was greater in venue A (73 percent vs. 65 percent - p = 0.021 - OR = 1.44 and IC: 1.05 - 1.97). The theoretical average was greater in venue A (87.1 ± 10.4 and 86 ± 11, respectively p <0.05). CONCLUSION: The financial subsidy and venue of the course had influence in the theoretical and practical approval.

Capacitação em suporte básico de vida em um hospital universitário / Basic life support training in a university hospital

Introdução: A ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (RCP) precoce depende da disponibilidade e da funcionalidade do equipamento de reanimação, que deve estar pronto para uso imediato, além do treinamento da equipe, o que pode ser feito através dos cursos em Suporte Básico de Vida (SBV) e Suporte Avançado de Vida (SAV). Objetivo: Capacitar profissionais e acadêmicos da área de saúde em SBV. Metodologia: Curso teórico-prático com simulação em manequins. Realização de pré e pós-teste, comparando-se os resultados. Resultados: Foram treinadas 348 pessoas do Hospital Escola (HE) da UFPel. O número de acertos no pré-teste variou entre 55 e 65% (média de 63%) e no pós-teste variou entre 75 e 93% (média de 84%), portanto um acréscimo de 21% nos acertos. Conclusão: O treinamento qualificou os profissionais e acadêmicos que atuam no HE no atendimento em vítimas de parada cardiorrespiratória (AU)

Introduction: The precocious cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) depends on avaliability and functionality of the reanimation equipment, which must be ready for immediate use, and on the training of the team, which can be made through the Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) courses. Objective: enable the health professionals and medical students in BLS. Methodology: Theoretical-practical course with simulations in mannequins. Pre and post-test were done and the results before and after the course were compared. Results: 348 people from Medical School Hospital (MSH) were trained. The correct answers percentage in the pre-test was from 55 to 65% (avarage was 63%) and in the post-test was from 75 to 93% (avarage was 84%), there was a 21% increase in the percentage of correct answers. Conclusion: The training qualified health professionals and medical studentes, who work in MSH, in charge of CPR (AU)

Avaliação do conhecimento geral de médicos emergencistas de hospitais de Salvador - Bahia sobre o atendimento de vítimas com parada cardiorrespiratória / Assessment of the general knowledge of emergency physicians from the hospitals of the city of Salvador (Brazil) on the care of cardiac arrest patients

OBJETIVO: Identificar a proporção de médicos emergencistas com habilitação em cursos de imersão (SAVC - Suporte Avançado de Vida em Cardiologia e SAVT - Suporte Avançado de Vida no Trauma), relacionando variáveis: idade, sexo, especialidade médica, titulação e tipo de hospital com o grau de conhecimento teórico no atendimento de vítimas de parada cardiorrespiratória. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados de forma consecutiva, de novembro/2003 a julho/2004, os emergencistas de hospitais públicos e privados da cidade de Salvador - Bahia, que voluntariamente aceitaram participar do estudo. Esses responderam a um questionário construído de informações das variáveis de interesse: perfil do profissional, realização ou não dos cursos de imersão SAVC e SAVT, avaliação cognitiva com 22 questões objetivas sobre ressuscitação cardiopulmonar. Calculou-se para cada participante um valor de acertos indicado como variável escore. Esse questionário foi validado a partir do resultado do escore dos instrutores do curso SAVC em Salvador - BA. RESULTADOS: Dos 305 médicos que responderam ao questionário, 83 (27,2 por cento) haviam realizado o curso SAVC, tendo como média da variável escore o valor de 14,9+3,0, comparada com os 215 médicos (70,5 por cento) que não o haviam feito e cuja média foi de 10,5+3,5 (p=0,0001). A média do escore dos 65 cardiologistas (21,5 por cento) foi de 14,1+3,3, comparada com os 238 médicos (78,5 por cento) que eram de outras especialidades, com média de 9,7+3,7(p=0,0001). Não foi identificada diferença da média do escore entre os médicos que haviam ou não realizado o curso SAVT (p=0,67). CONCLUSÃO: Na amostra avaliada, o conhecimento teórico sobre ressucitação cárdio-pulmonar (RCP) foi superior naqueles profissionais que realizaram o SAVC, diferente do que ocorreu naqueles que realizaram o SAVT. Os especialistas em Cardiologia que realizaram o SAVC demonstraram um conhecimento teórico superior, sobre o atendimento de vítimas de parada cárdio-respiratória (PCR), quando...

OBJECTIVE: To identify the proportion of emergency physicians certified in immersion courses (ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support and ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support) correlating the variables of age, gender, medical specialty, academic title, and type of hospital with the level of theoretical knowledge on the care of Cardiac Arrest (CA) victims. METHODS: Emergency physicians from public and private hospitals of the city of Salvador, State of Bahia - Brazil, were consecutively evaluated from November, 2003 to July, 2004. They volunteered to participate in the study, and responded to a questionnaire consisting of information on the following variables of interest: professional profile, participation or not in ACLS and ATLS immersion courses, and cognitive assessment with 22 objective questions on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). A score of correct answers was calculated for each participant, and then designated as score variable. This questionnaire was validated based on the result of the score obtained by ACLS course instructors in Salvador, BA. RESULTS: Of the 305 physicians who responded to the questionnaire, 83 (27.2 percent) had attended the ACLS course and had a mean score variable of 14.9+3.0 compared with the 215 physicians (70.5 percent) who had not attended the course and whose mean was 10.5+ 3.5 (p=0.0001). The mean score of the 65 cardiologists (21.5 percent) was 14.1+3.3 compared with the mean of 9.7+3.7(p=0.0001) of the 238 physicians (78.5 percent) from other specialties. No difference was observed in the mean scores between physicians who had attended the ATLS course or not (p=0.67). CONCLUSION: In the sample studied, theoretical knowledge on CPR was higher among physicians who had attended the ACLS course, as opposed to those who had attended the ATLS course. Cardiologists who had attended the ACLS demonstrated a higher theoretical knowledge on the care of CA patients when compared to physicians from other specialties taken as whole - Internal...

Knowledge and skill after brief ACLS training.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the knowledge level and skill base in nurse anesthetists before and after brief ACLS training, and again three months later. METHOD: Thirty nurse anesthetists were tested for knowledge and skill before ACLS training comprising 1-hr lecture and handout, and 1-hr simulation training. Concepts included ABCD, primary and secondary survey, management, medications, and algorithms for common problems. Skill practice comprised airway management, chest compression and practice with equipment. After the training, the nurse anesthetists were immediately tested and again three months later. RESULTS: Age of participants averaged 39.33 + or - 3.14 years and working experience 10.04 +/- 3.23 years. The knowledge and skill scores pre- vs post-training vs three-months-later was 50.32 +/- 15.24 vs 75.40 +/- 10.29 (p < 0.001) vs 60.48 +/- 11.80 (p < 0.001) and 65.00 + 16.07 vs 79.67 +/- 10.80 (p < 0.001) vs 75.67 +/- 14.53 (p < 0.001), respectively. The pre-training vs three-months-post-training skill scores was not statistically different (p = 0.255). CONCLUSION: After the briefACLS training knowledge and skills were significantly improved, but knowledge was not retained at the post-training test levels until the 3-month check, albeit skills had persisted. More frequent ACLS education is necessary.