Resuscitation team training in Rwanda: A mixed method study exploring the combination of the VAST course with Advanced Cardiac Life Support training

The initiative for medical equity and global health (IMEGH) resuscitation training program: A model for resuscitation training courses in Africa

“…The VAST course content adds team dynamics and communication to conventional ACLS training, using scenarios commonly seen in LRSs and allowing more time for NTS training [22] . We have shown that a combination of ACLS and VAST can improve ACLS skills amongst healthcare workers in LRSs by increasing team coordination, empowerment to act, and advocacy for system improvement [19] .…”

“…A team of three anesthesiologists (ET, AI, CS) made the initial modifications of ACLS based on the feedback from 10 local instructors based on their experience conducting resuscitation training in Rwanda. The modified ACLS course was evaluated using a mixed method study [19] . There was no modification needed for other courses; SAFE OB and VAST were already designed for LRS; BLS and PALS contents already met the needs of our participants.…”

“…Advocacy efforts were promoted at the hospital level during the courses to try to ensure appropriate resuscitation medication were on their essential medication list and equipment availability such as defibrillators were available in their emergency departments and operating rooms. Importance of non-technical skills (NTS) training as a component of resuscitation training - Several studies have shown improved teamwork, communication, leadership, task management, and conflict management as a result of NTS training during ACLS in high-resource settings (HRS) [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] . In 2022, the IMEGH added the Vital Anaesthesia Simulation Training (VAST) course to its offerings.…”

“…Importance of non-technical skills (NTS) training as a component of resuscitation training - Several studies have shown improved teamwork, communication, leadership, task management, and conflict management as a result of NTS training during ACLS in high-resource settings (HRS) [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] . In 2022, the IMEGH added the Vital Anaesthesia Simulation Training (VAST) course to its offerings.…”

“…An evaluation of a modified 2-days ACLS combined with 3-days VAST course has shown to improve time to CPR, time to epinephrine administration, time to defibrillation, and overall quality of resuscitation in simulated resuscitation scenarios [19] . The improvement in resuscitation skills was maintained at 3 months after training.…”