International Cardiac Advanced Life Support course: a cross-sectional descriptive analysis

Background:
Recognising and responding to cardiac surgical deterioration requires a systematic, structured approach that encompasses monitoring, identifying and managing signs and symptoms of post-surgical complications. Cardiac Advanced Life Support (CALS) was originally developed in recognition of this educational requirement and consists of a series of protocols aimed at supporting clinicians’ recognition and response to the deteriorating cardiac surgical patient.

Aim:
The aim of this analysis was to evaluate participant perceptions of a CALS course using a descriptive online survey.

Design:
A cross-sectional analysis of post-course online survey responses assessing participant’ perceptions of the CALS course.

Results:
331 surveys were returned from participants between August 2021 and April 2023 from different healthcare organisations (n = 35). Most participants were nurses (n = 229/331, 69.2%) and anaesthetists (n = 38/331, 11.5%). Survey responses demonstrate that pre- and post-course scores across all education domains increased, indicating an overall increase in knowledge and confidence. The CALS domain with the greatest increase in pre and post scores was chest opening.

Conclusion:
Cardiac Advanced Life Support training provides students with the unique opportunity to practice human factors and team building across healthcare disciplines. Furthermore, results demonstrate that nurses exhibit greater confidence in multiple aspects of cardiac surgical resuscitation and are capable of leading the emergency response team. Our study findings provide an opportunity to consider best practice in CALS education and the need for future research in educational design. Despite is ubiquity in cardiac post operative care, both in critical care and ward settings, little research has been conducted to review CALS courses strenghts and areas for future development.