Implementation of Advanced Cardiac Life Support Guidelines

Target Audience: Medical team members including physicians, nurses, and paramedics who participate in the resuscitation of patients in the pre-hospital or hospital setting. Objectives: Perform basic life support management. Perform basic and advanced airway management skills. Recognize, appropriately assess, and manage patients with cardiac arrest – Asystole, Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA), Ventricular Fibrillation (VF), and Pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Differentiate between stable and unstable patients. Evaluate the medical history and perform physical examination in these patients. Recognize the importance of the medical history, even during an acute event. Obtain a differential diagnosis of chest pain and the algorithm for acute coronary syndrome. Recognize, appropriately assess patient with stroke. Recognize, appropriately assess patient with dyspnea and differential diagnosis for respiratory distress: Pulmonary edema, asthma, anaphylaxis and pulmonary edema. Effectively communicate with the patient and fellow team members.   Course Description: Through the Cardiac Simulation Course (CSC), participants will enhance their skills in the treatment of the adult victim of a cardiac arrest or other cardiopulmonary emergencies. The CSC emphasizes the importance of basic life support CPR to patient survival; the integration of effective basic life support with advanced cardiovascular life support interventions; and the importance of effective team interaction and communication during resuscitation. The CSC is based on simulated clinical scenarios that encourage active, hands-on participation through learning stations where students will practice essential skills individually, as part of a team, and as team leader. Realistic simulations reinforce the following key concepts: proficiency in basic life support care; recognizing and initiating early management of peri-arrest conditions; managing cardiac arrest; identifying and treating ischemic chest pain and acute coronary syndromes; recognizing other life-threatening clinical situations (such as stroke) and providing initial care; Advanced Cardiac Life Support algorithms; and effective resuscitation team dynamics. (Reference from AHA, http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3011972 Note: All the scenarios and algorithms are based on the American Heart Association guidelines for 2005.