Effectiveness of an Obstetrics‐Based Advanced Cardiac Life Support Education Program

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo study the effectiveness of an obstetrics‐based advanced cardiac life support education (ACLS OB) program with pre‐ and postcourse maternal mock code drills and surveys evaluating satisfaction and self‐confidence in abilities of labor and delivery (L&D) nurses to perform ACLS algorithms.DesignQuasi‐experimental pretest/posttest study.SettingObstetric units in a community hospital system.ParticipantsLabor and delivery nurses (N = 96).MethodsNurses rotated through an ACLS OB course when their ACLS recertification was due. Two studies were done. Prior to the class, nurses participated in a maternal mock code drill during annual skills review, and performances were scored. One year later, nurses participated in maternal mock code drills. Results were compared with the previous year's scores. In the second study, pre‐ and postclass surveys were completed reflecting nurses’ satisfaction and self‐confidence with successfully completing elements of American Heart Association (AHA) algorithms following attendance at traditional ACLS classes versus ACLS OB.ResultsThe scores of nurses who completed the ACLS OB course were significantly greater overall when performing ACLS MegaCode algorithms (z = −6.08, p < .001) for 18 of 21 individual elements of the algorithm. Nurses reported statistically significant increases (p < .001) in all 13 elements of satisfaction and self‐confidence following completion of ACLS OB over traditional ACLS courses.ConclusionsEmphasizing changes in ACLS for obstetric patients during the precourse and using patient scenarios encountered in obstetric settings improved nurses’ performance in maternal MegaCode scenarios. The course also increased self‐satisfaction and self‐confidence of obstetric nurses in their ability to perform ACLS algorithms.