Full Code Pro

Functionality & Mechanism

Full Code Pro (FCP 3.4), developed by the American Heart Association, is a mobile application designed for real-time documentation of critical interventions during cardiac arrest resuscitation events. The app features a user-controlled metronome with an adjustable rate (100-120 bpm) for CPR performance checks. It includes customizable drug lists, pre-populated with common cardiac arrest medications, and lists of common events and rhythms to facilitate accurate logging of actions.

Evidence & Research Context

• A quality improvement initiative evaluated FCP's impact on documentation accuracy and timeliness during live cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) events. Electronic documentation using FCP demonstrated significantly greater accuracy for recorded rhythm (100% vs. 13%, P = 0.01) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (67% vs. 0%, P = 0.02) compared to paper-based methods.
• The electronic method also significantly outperformed paper-based documentation in legibility (100% vs. 13%, P < 0.01), and staff reported increased satisfaction with electronic documentation.
• A simulation study (N=142 participants across 37 simulations) assessed FCP's recording functions in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) scenarios. Participant feedback surveys achieved high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.91) and showed a linear trend of greater satisfaction with FCP as group size increased (p < 0.001).
• Increasing group size in simulations correlated with a greater number of interventions recorded (p = 0.009) and fewer missed or false recordings (p = 0.002). Delays in recording (p = 0.018) and delays in care (p < 0.001) also showed significant linear trends, with increasing group size corresponding to lesser delays.
• The greatest improvement in recording accuracy and reduction in delays was observed between groups of 3 and 4 participants, suggesting that a sufficient number of EMS personnel (>3) should be present for reliable data collection without compromising patient care.

Intended Use & Scope

Full Code Pro is intended for use by paramedics, EMT-Bs, emergency room nurses, emergency room physicians, and other in- and out-of-hospital healthcare providers. Its primary utility is to improve the availability and accuracy of documentation for resuscitation events, supporting debriefing and quality improvement initiatives. The app does not provide medical advice or replace clinical judgment; users should seek further guidance for patient care decisions.