Abstract Body: Background: Despite advances in education and resuscitation science, adult cardiac arrest survival rates remain suboptimal. The American Heart Association® states that training programs and educational efficiency are key to improving these rates. However, various studies show significant skill deterioration even weeks after training. Few studies have focused on cross-sectional evaluations of both basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) skills among professionals, and there are no such studies in Chile.
Hypothesis: Healthcare professionals demonstrate poor retention of advanced life support skills at 12 weeks post-training.
Objective: To assess the retention of practical and cognitive skills 12 weeks after a theoretical-practical cardiovascular advanced life support training program based on clinical simulation, in healthcare professionals from five public hospitals in Chile.
Methods: Seventy-three professionals from five public hospitals in a region of Chile participated in a theoretical-practical training program in adult advanced life support. A three-month follow-up was conducted to compare practical and cognitive skills in advanced life support.
Results: After follow-up, significant deterioration in basic life support skills was observed, with the pass rate decreasing from 91.3% to 30.1% (Friedman’s X²=42.32; p<0.001). Airway management skills also decreased, from 94.5% to 27.4% (Friedman’s X²=49.00; p<0.001). MEGACODE advanced life support skills decreased from 73.8% to 12.3% (Friedman’s X²=45.00; p<0.001), and cognitive skills decreased from 52.5% to 19.2% (Friedman’s X²=2320.00; p<0.001).
Conclusion: The results reflect a significant deterioration in basic life support, airway management, MEGACODE advanced life support, and cognitive skills over time. These findings emphasize the need for continuous interventions and ongoing training programs to maintain and improve competencies in these essential emergency care skills. The decline in skills highlights the importance of sustainable training strategies and periodic evaluations to ensure quality and effective care in critical situations. Improving these competencies is crucial for optimizing survival rates in cardiac arrest situations, where prompt and effective intervention can make a significant difference.