952: Effectiveness of a Zoom-Based Virtual Advanced Cardiac Life Support Simulation Activity

INTRODUCTION: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, our institution moved to online instruction for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. In place of a live advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) simulation, we implemented a virtual Zoombased simulation called virtual Code Lab. The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation of virtual Code Lab on Zoom and assess the effectiveness of the activity. METHODS: Second professional year Doctor of Pharmacy students received instruction in the required therapeutics courses related to ACLS and basic life support (BLS) principles. Prior to virtual Code Lab, students were required to successfully pass an online quiz to prepare them for the experience. During the virtual Code Lab, faculty instructors worked with small groups of students via Zoom navigating them through various cardiac arrest scenarios. Students were expected to demonstrate knowledge of arrhythmia identification, BLS principles, ACLS algorithms, and drug therapy including dosing and administration. A debrief was held at the end of each scenario to provide feedback regarding performance. Following the virtual Code Lab, an anonymous survey was sent to all students. A 5-point Likert scale was used to assess student assessment of the activities and their performance. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data and Chi-square test for categorical data. RESULTS: A total of 137 students participated in virtual Code Lab and 124 (90.5%) completed the survey. 80.7%, 75.6%, 86.3%, and 87% agreed/strongly agreed virtual Code Lab improved the ability to apply principles of CPR, interpret cardiac rhythms, apply ACLS algorithms, and understand the pharmacist's role during a code, respectively. 54.5% agreed/ strongly agreed they felt comfortable with making drug and non-drug recommendations prior to the virtual Code Lab versus 86.3% after the experience (p<0.00001). 89.5% agreed/strongly agreed virtual Code Lab improved their closed-loop communication skills as well. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, ACLS simulation was successfully conducted using Zoom for a virtual Code Lab experience. Students demonstrated they felt virtual Code Lab improved important skills required for a pharmacist during ACLS.