Cardiac Surgery Unit Advanced Life Support Training: A 10-Year Retrospective Study Examining Patient Mortality Outcomes After Implementation.

BACKGROUND: Although the body of knowledge related to Cardiac Surgery Unit Advanced Life Support (CSU-ALS) guideline has grown over the last 10 years, there is no existing literature examining the impact of this training on patient mortality outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This article describes one institution's experience related to patient mortality outcomes following a rigorous training program following the CSU-ALS guideline. Because of the small numbers associated with cardiac arrests after cardiac surgery (0.7%-8%), statistical significance was not a goal. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was used to compare mortality outcomes before and after CSU-ALS training. One hundred percent of the staff were trained in the initial year, and 85% to 90% of the staff maintained competency in the following years. The author used 10 years of retrospective data to compare mortality rates 4 years before and 6 years after the intervention. RESULTS: The retrospective data showed a decrease in the percentage of failure-to-rescue rate in the intervention group (control 16% vs intervention 2%). Fisher exact testing implies that the observed frequencies were not significantly different from the expected frequencies (P = .072 and P = .135). Because of the small sample size, statistical significance could not be established. DISCUSSION: This institution experienced an extremely positive track record in outcomes despite its inability to prove a statistically significant correlation to the CSU-ALS training. The overall observed and self-reported confidence level of the staff during the study period was outside the project scope but deserves mention and further research.

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.

Identifying and Managing Intraoperative Arrhythmia: A Multidisciplinary Operating Room Team Simulation Case.

Introduction: Resuscitation of a critically ill patient is challenging for both novice learners and experienced health care providers. During a critical event, not only is it important to identify the correct underlying diagnosis, it is equally crucial that the appropriate Advance Cardiac Life Support algorithm, medications, and defibrillator modality are implemented. This scenario features a 56-year-old female who presents for excisional biopsy of an inguinal lymph node to evaluate lymphadenopathy concerning for lymphoma. Intraoperatively, she goes into cardiopulmonary arrest. Participants must identify and manage three different scenarios: (1) ventricular fibrillation, (2) unstable ventricular tachycardia, and (3) bradycardia, including the use of the defibrillator. Method: Weekly simulation sessions were conducted in the in situ simulation operating room at Massachusetts General Hospital. Surgical residents, anesthesiology residents, nurses, and surgical technicians participated in a multidisciplinary operating room team. Each approximately 60-minute session included an orientation, the case, and the debriefing. Equipment included a simulation operating room with general surgery supplies, general anesthesia equipment, a high-fidelity SimMan patient simulator, a code cart, and a defibrillator. Results: Ninety-one multidisciplinary participants completed this scenario from September to December 2015. Participants reported that the scenario was applicable to their clinical practice (96%), promoted teamwork skills (88%), and encouraged interprofessional learning (94%). Discussion: Intraoperative cardiac arrest is a devastating event that can result in poor patient outcomes if the care team is not thoroughly prepared for crisis management. This simulation case scenario was implemented to train multidisciplinary learners in the identification and management of such an event.

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.

A pharmacologic review of cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest is manifested by arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, pulseless electrical activity, or asystole) resulting in minimal to no forward blood flow to the body's oxygen-dependent tissues. Defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be initiated immediately as they have been shown to increase return of spontaneous circulation and survival to discharge rates. Cardiac arrest in the surgical patient population has devastating consequences. Data specific to the surgical patient found that 1 in 203 surgical patients experienced cardiac arrest requiring CPR within 30 days after surgery. A subgroup analysis found that 1 in 1,020 plastic surgery patients required CPR in this same time frame. Thirty-day mortality in the general surgery patient population was 72%. The American Heart Association updates the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) guidelines every 5 years. Their latest publication in 2010 recommended that the resuscitative protocol be transitioned from its basic life support sequence of airway-breathing-chest compressions to chest compressions-airway-breathing. All health care professionals should have an understanding of the clinical presentation and medical management of cardiac arrest. Maintaining biannual basic life support and ACLS certification ensures that health care professionals remain current with American Heart Association guideline recommendations. Guideline-directed management of cardiac arrest should include timely implementation of the ACLS algorithm to maximize patient outcomes.

Long-term intended and unintended experiences after Advanced Life Support training.

AIM: Highly structured simulation-based training (SBT) on managing emergency situations can have a significant effect on immediate satisfaction and learning. However, there are some indications of problems when applying learned skills to practice. The aim of this study was to identify long-term intended and unintended learner reactions, experiences and reflections after attending a simulation based Advanced Life Support (ALS) course. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone with a purposive sample of prior ALS-course participants. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Seventeen former participants were interviewed. The main themes related to context adaptation, communities of practice and to transfer of skills. Interviewees described challenges in adapting to the structured simulation setting and going back to the uncertain and unstructured clinical world. In part, a result of the several conflicting communities of practice - one being the ALS-community and the others relating to professional roles. Despite reporting transferring a more systematic approach to managing patients in emergency situations and during ward rounds, surgery, and in their teaching, participants also reported poor transfer in emergency situations where not all team members had the same ALS-structured approach. CONCLUSION: The result from this study indicates that the efficiency dimension of ALS competence is taught well in ALS courses, but that the form and content of these highly structured/model courses are insufficient in training the innovative dimension of competence that is needed for transfer of skills in unstructured, emergency situations.

[The objective structured clinical evaluation of teaching in anaesthesiology and resuscitation]. / La evaluación clínica objetiva estructurada en la docencia en Anestesiología y Reanimación.

OBJECTIVES: To find out the acquirement of professional competencies of Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation medical residents at the end of their training period using the Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OCSE) tool. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six competency components to evalúate were defined as follows: clinical interview (communication), technical ability and relationship abilities (leadership, decision making, work in a team), diagnostic assessment, therapeutic management, and medical records. Different methodologies were determined depending on the knowledge and skills to evaluate. Twelve clinical cases were developed that were performed in 12 stations. A total of 107 Ítems, specified within the stations, evaluated the competency components. A total of 43 residents were invited to participate in the last 4 months of their training in hospitals in Andalusia and Extremadura. RESULTS: A total of 33 residents participated. The overall mean of the classifications obtained in the 12 stations was 64.2 out of a maximum of 100. The medical residents demonstrated higher competency in obstetrics, paediatric anaesthesia, and that associated with difficult airway. The main competency gaps were detected in the area of one-day surgery, chronic pain, and literature management, in which approximately half passed the test. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that training evaluations, such as the OCSE, help in determining the skill levels of the medical resident, making it easier to continually improve the training of the future anaesthesiologist.

Prince Edward Island: building capacity--the implementation of a critical care/emergency program.

Like other Canadian provinces, Prince Edward Island has a shortage of experienced nurses, especially in critical and emergency care. To increase the numbers of competent nurses, a PEI-based nursing course in these areas was identified as key to building capacity. This Research to Action pilot program successfully involved nurses in PEI-based emergency and critical care courses developed by the Nova Scotia Registered Nurses Professional Development Centre and funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. The programs were offered on a full-time basis, lasted 14 weeks and included classroom and simulation laboratory time, along with a strong clinical component.Sixteen RNs graduated from the courses and became Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certified. An additional 12 RNs were trained as preceptors. Feedback from participants indicates greater job satisfaction and increased confidence in providing patient assessments and care. Based on the program's success, the RTA partners proposed the establishment of an ongoing, PEI-based critical care and emergency nursing program utilizing 80/20 staffing models and mentorship. Their proposal was approved, with courses set to resume in January, 2012.

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.

Macintosh and Glidescope® performance by Advanced Cardiac Life Support providers: a manikin study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to assess whether the use of the Glidescope® would improve the success rates and the duration of intubation attempts during airway management when compared to direct laryngoscopy in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) providers with no prior experience in videolaryngoscopy. METHODS: This cross-over randomized study involved 44 ACLS providers. The educational session for the participants included a brief presentation of the equipment and a demonstration of the Glidescope®. All intubations were performed using a 7.5-mm endotracheal tube on an adult manikin. A size 3 Macintosh blade and a standard Glidescope® adult blade were used. Glidescope® videolaryngoscope was used. The primary endpoints were: duration of each endotracheal intubation attempt and success rate for each device. A secondary endpoint was the perception of ease of use with each device. Each participant was asked to assess the ease of use of each device using a visual analogue scale (0=extremely difficult and 10=extremely easy). RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed in the time required to successful intubation of the trachea with the Macintosh laryngoscope and the Glidescope®. However, significantly fewer intubation attempts were required with the Glidescope® compared to the Macintosh laryngoscope. In addition, most candidates found that using the videolaryngoscope was easy. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the Glidescope® videolaryngoscopy performed at least as well as conventional laryngoscopy in ACLS providers. Although simpler ventilation techniques should be applied first during critical airway management, this study suggests that, when intubation is needed, videolaryngoscopy cna be helpful.

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.

Advanced cardiac life support training.

The OMED/ESGE consensus statements of the International Symposium on Sedation in Endoscopy, Athens, September 2009, in keeping with guidelines and position statements published by other societies, underline the need for sedation providers to be adequately trained in dealing with scenarios involving patients in respiratory and/or cardiovascular distress. This training should prepare the sedation provider with the necessary acumen to prevent, recognize and remedy sedation-related emergencies. Life support training that adheres to the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) guidelines should be a mandatory component of this instruction that should be governed by formal assessment and quality assurance reappraisal.

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.

The importance of advanced cardiac life support certification in office-based surgery.

BACKGROUND: Safety in office-based surgery remains of paramount importance. Accordingly, many consider Advanced Cardiac Life Support training a critical component of safety preparation for office-based surgery. A survey was recently designed and distributed to assess the experience and attitudes of board-certified plastic surgeons toward Advanced Cardiac Life Support training. METHODS: A two-page, 14-question survey was mailed to the 4581 members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The anonymous survey consisted of multiple choice questions eliciting status of Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification, use of office-based surgery, experience with adverse cardiac and respiratory events, and opinions on mandating Advanced Cardiac Life Support training. RESULTS: The total number of surveys returned was 1461 (32 percent). Current Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification was 65.6 percent and 44.9 percent, respectively. Over the past 10 years, 29 percent of plastic surgeons participated in a cardiac or respiratory arrest, and 43.9 percent of these surgeons acted as the code leader; 60.2 percent of plastic surgeons felt Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification should be required, but only 26 percent of these felt it should be mandated to maintain board certification. CONCLUSIONS: Historically, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and facility accreditation were strongly recommended but often not required for office-based surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery have taken steps to increase patient safety, mandating that outpatient plastic surgery only be performed at accredited facilities. Many credentialing organizations are now escalating the requirements for Advanced Cardiac Life Support/Basic Life Support certification.

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.