Preparing cardiac care teams for the moments when every second matters
At UF Health Jacksonville, we believe exceptional cardiac care includes being prepared for the unexpected.
In August 2026, UF Health Jacksonville worked together with Cardiac Advanced Resuscitation Education, LLC (C.A.R.E, LLC) to bring Cardiac Surgical Unit Advanced Life Support (CSU-ALS) training to our cardiovascular intensive care team.
CSU-ALS is specialized education designed for the unique challenges that can arise when caring for patients after cardiac surgery. Through evidence-based instruction, hands-on practice and realistic simulation, members of the care team prepare to recognize and respond to rare, high-acuity emergencies in a coordinated and timely way.
Training for the way cardiac care happens
When a cardiac surgical patient experiences a critical change, successful care depends on more than the expertise of an individual clinician. It requires physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other members of the care team to understand their roles, communicate effectively and work together under pressure.
CSU-ALS allows teams to practice those skills in a simulated environment before they are needed at the bedside.
The training focuses on:
- Recognizing and responding to deterioration in patients following cardiac surgery
- Applying specialized resuscitation strategies for the post-cardiac-surgery patient
- Practicing critical interventions in a realistic, team-based environment
- Strengthening communication and coordination among members of the care team
- Establishing a shared approach to high-acuity cardiac emergencies
Investing in preparedness to advance cardiac care.
Some of the most important moments in medicine are the ones we hope never happen.
By preparing for them, our teams can be more confident, coordinated, and ready to act when a patient’s condition changes.
The collaboration between UF Health Jacksonville and C.A.R.E., LLC represents an investment in specialized education, patient safety, and the continued advancement of cardiac care. UF Health Jacksonville is developing CSU-ALS expertise locally, including training clinicians who can help bring this specialized education to more members of our teams.
Building a program across UF
UF Health Jacksonville is serving as a foundation for a broader vision: expanding access to CSU-ALS training across the University of Florida health system.
As the program develops, the goal is to create opportunities for cardiac care teams at other UF locations to participate in this specialized training, helping foster a shared approach to caring for patients following cardiac surgery across the system.
This growing program reflects UF’s commitment to learning from one another, strengthening clinical teams and bringing evidence-based education to the places where it can make a difference for patients.
Developing safer cardiac care together
Together, we are bringing specialized clinical expertise, simulation-based education and multidisciplinary teamwork to prepare our teams for the most critical moments in cardiac care.
Learn more about CSU-ALS: C.A.R.E. — Cardiac Advanced Resuscitation Education