Anticipated Audience:
Cardiac Surgical Unit Advanced Life Support (CSU-ALS) is a revolutionary approach to the management of post-cardiac surgery patients' cardiac arrest and loss of hemodynamic stability. This multi-disciplinary approach to the hopefully rare cardiac arrest event is key for a successful resuscitation. Whilst not every team member will fill the various roles introduced in the course, it is imperative the entire care team understand the process.
We recommend all those who typically respond to codes in your facility, especially those in the post-cardiac surgery ICU, take part in this training. Specifically: bedside nurses, respiratory therapists, clinical pharmacists, surgical fellows/residents/attending, intensivists and critical care team members, anesthesiologists, and nurse educators.
A global approach to education and the widespread understanding of the CSU-ALS algorithm will create calmer, cohesive responses to emergency situations.