Simulation Training for Emergency Sternotomy in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

The authors describe the process and results of implementing a unit-based training program focused on specialized arrest management and resternotomy using the STS cardiac surgical resuscitation (CSR) protocol. Notable staff improvements included better understanding of key roles, activating and initiating the emergency resternotomy protocol, and important differences between ACLS and CSR. The authors provide guidance for others wishing to implement evidence-based CSR methods using a quality improvement format and provide suggestions for simulation training.