PURPOSE
The advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) algorithm is designed to allow for quick consultation, as well as objective and immediate decision making. However for those who do not routinely take part in cardiac arrests, these tasks can become confusing and complex. The use of templates describing the steps of the ACLS algorithm during scenario based training, contributes to the guidance of professionals in the performance of detailed technical procedures (e.g., cycles of 2’ uninterrupted chest compressions and ventilation, administration of drugs in the correct time, appropriate pulse check or shock delivery timing) and in the identification of failures, error reduction and the promotion of quality and teamwork. 
Developing and using a single, simple and practical template during training, to register ACLS procedures at in-hospital scenarios, promotes the uniformity of the latter, guiding and clarifying algorithm steps.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Evaluation of 28 elements of ACLS courses, such as team leaders, in two different moments: first, following the ACLS algorithm alone; secondly, with registration of procedures on a template created for this purpose. The 2 assessment moments took place on different days, with a 24 hour interval, so that learning by repetition was avoided.
The evaluation was made with the mannequin model Resusci Anne Simulator and Sim Pad Plus.
The following fatal errors were considered: not changing the elements of chest compressions every 2'; non-application or delays in the delivery of shocks; not  immediately restarting chest compressions; not administrating therapy according to the indications.
RESULTS/DISCUSSION
The first evaluation as team leaders showed that 71% of the candidates did not change the elements of chest compressions every 2'; 93% promoted delays in shock delivery; 29% did not restart chest compressions and 43% did not administer therapy adequately. The second evaluation as team leaders showed that 21% did not change the elements responsible for chest compressions every 2' (50% in error reduction rate); 36% led to delays in the application of shocks (57% in error reduction rate); 7% did not restart chest compressions (22% in error reduction rate) and the results obtained for the 4th error (0%), showed that all the elements administered therapy appropriately (43% in error reduction rate). 
The overall results show an improvement in quality of 175% for change of compression givers, 800% for shock delivery, 30% for resumption of chest compressions, and 75% for adequate administration of therapy.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the use of templates to register the support given during cardiac arrest scenarios for ACLS training promoted an increment of improvement/quality in the acquisition of knowledge by professionals, reducing the rate of fatal errors. 
It is our intention to incorporate this protocol into real cardiac arrest scenarios of and ACLS in the hospital environment. In the near future, we aim to integrate this protocol in emergency trolleys so it is used in real cases of in-hospital cardiac arrest to promote systems for evaluating the quality of these procedures and investigate the results obtained in in-hospital cardiac arrest occurrences.
It is also our purpose to continue this research in order to increase the number of individuals of the target population, with a view to acquire more comparative elements, making the results more robust.

Key words: template, advanced life support, cardiac arrest

The use of registration templates in ACLS training courses, does it improve quality?