Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is a set of guidelines promoted by the American Heart Association to improve management of cardiac arrest. Numerous studies have shown that retention of the treatment algorithms following ACLS training is poor. The ACLS SIMULATOR is a software solution developed to address this problem. Practice managing simulated cases using the ACLS SIMULATOR has been shown to improve physicians’ retention of ACLS guidelines better than textbook review. There are more than 10,000 copies in use, and hundreds of physicians and nurses have used the software to earn continuing education credits. The ACLS SIMULATOR uses five essential components to achieve an effective simulation training software solution: (a) simulation engine to predict simulated patient responses, (b) graphical user interface, (c) automated record-keeping system, (d) expert system for management help, and (e) automated debriefing system. These five components serve as the basis for development of other case-based simulation training programs. The addition of the expert system and automated debriefing enhance the educational experience and convert the program from being just a simulator to being an efficient learning environment for independent study.

Keywords

ACLS advanced cardiac life support cardiopulmonary resuscitation computer-assisted instruction debriefing education,continuing,medical education,continuing,nursing expert system medical simulation

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

ACLSSIMULATOR. Anesoft Corporation (1997). (18606 NW Cervinia Ct, Issaquah, WA98027, USA).

Cummins, R. O. (Ed.). (1997). Advanced cardiac life support. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association.

Curry, L. , & Gass, D. (1987). Effects of training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation on competence and patient outcome. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 137(6), 491-496.

Hopcroft, J. E. ,& Ullman, J. D. (1979). Introduction to automata theory, languages and computation. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Hull, J. C. (1979). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 51(7), 579-594.

Riley, R. L. , & Cournand, A. (1949). “Ideal” alveolar air and the analysis of ventilation-perfusion relationships in the lungs. Journal of Applied Physiology, 1(12), 825-847.

Schwid, H. A. , & O’Donnell, D. (1992). Anesthesiologists’ management of simulated critical incidents. Anesthesiology, 76(4), 495-501.

Schwid, H. A. , Rooke, G. A. , Ross, B. K. ,& Sivarajan, M. (1999). Use of a computerized advanced cardiac life support simulator improves retention of advanced cardiac life support guidelines better than a textbook review. Critical Care Medicine, 27(4), 821-824.

Components of an Effective Medical Simulation Software Solution

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References