Can VAST Improve ACLS in Rwanda

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Aim The purpose of this study is to determine if the addition of the VAST Course to technical resuscitation skills training enhances healthcare providers' resuscitation performance in a resource-limited setting. Objectives The aims of this research will be achieved by meeting the following objectives: Quantitative evaluation of study participants' resuscitation performance during a simulation scenario before ACLS course, immediately following ACLS course, immediately following VAST course, and at 4 months post training. Qualitative exploration of the barriers and supports identified by course participants to implementing resuscitation in the workplace after resuscitation skills training through focus groups. New knowledge Lessons learned from this study will help inform the design and the implementation of resuscitation training programs in resource-limited settings. This has potential to improve resuscitation capacity in resource-limited settings leading to higher quality of care for patients.

Official Title
-----------------
Can the VAST Course Enhance Resuscitation Skills in a Resource-limited Setting?

Conditions
-----------------
Global Health, Education, Resuscitation

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: Advanced Cardiac Life Support Training
* Behavioral: Vital Anesthesia Simulation Training


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Full course participation Available for focus group interviews Exclusion Criteria: Refusal to provide informed consent Participated in VAST or ACLS training in the four months prior to study
Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
Intervention Model: Sequential Assignment
Interventional Model Description: For each hospital, the intervention will be to pair a 2-day technical resuscitation skills training adapted from the ACLS/AHA and a 3-day VAST course for a multidisciplinary team of 20 participants (i.e., nurses, doctors, non-physician anesthesia providers). Participants' resuscitation skills will be tested at 4 time points: immediately before the ACLS course, immediately after the ACLS course, immediately after the VAST Course, and at 4 months post training.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: ACLS and then VAST teaching intervention<br>For each hospital, the intervention will be to pair a 2-day technical resuscitation skills training adapted from the ACLS/AHA and a 3-day VAST course for a multidisciplinary team of 20 participants (i.e., nurses, doctors, non-physician anesthesia providers). Participants' resuscitation skills will be tested at 4 time points: immediately before the ACLS course, immediately after the ACLS course, immediately after the VAST Course, and at 4 months post training. | Behavioral: Advanced Cardiac Life Support Training<br>* Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) is a resuscitation course to teach recognition and treatment of cardiopulmonary arrest in patients.<br>Behavioral: Vital Anesthesia Simulation Training<br>* The Vital Anesthesia Simulation Training (VAST) Course focuses on core clinical practices and non-technical skills needed to respond to the most common urgent and emergent clinical challenges found in hospitals in resource-limited settings like Rwanda.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time to initiation of CPR | The time it takes for the team to start chest compressions in the simulation in seconds | From start of simulation scenario to time of first chest compressions, assessment up to 2 minutes of simulation | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time to epinephrine administration | The time it takes for the team to give epinephrine in the simulation in seconds | From start of simulation scenario to time of first epinephrine administration, assessment up to 5 minutes of simulation | 
| Time to defibrillation | The time it takes for the team to defibrillate in the simulation in seconds | From start of simulation scenario to time of first defibrillation, assessment up to 5 minutes of simulation |