- What is the RESIL-Card tool?
RESIL-Card is a practical, evidence-based tool designed to help hospital cardiovascular teams assess and improve the preparedness of their care pathways in order to ensure the continuity of lifesaving cardiovascular care, particularly during crises such as pandemics, natural disasters, resource shortages or other system disruptions.
Thanks to a structured roadmap that generates a heatmap, it helps users identify priority areas for improvement of their care pathways, supporting structured reflection, preparedness planning and adaptive decision making. A comprehensive description of the design, methodology and content of the tool is now available (Development of a resilience assessment tool for cardiac care pathways in Europe: a mixed-methods study | BMJ Open).
- Who is RESIL-Card for?
The RESIL-Card tool is primarily designed for use by care teams delivering cardiovascular care, including:
- Cardiovascular care professionals
- Hospital managers and clinical leaders
- Emergency preparedness coordinators
- Primary care nurses and physicians
However, the tool is available to anyone interested in improving cardiovascular resilience and can be used internationally. It is designed to be adaptable to different healthcare systems and organisational contexts – department, hospital, regional, or system level.
- Can the tool be used by other healthcare professionals?
While the tool focuses on acute cardiovascular care pathways, professionals from other specialties, hospital management, quality improvement, emergency planning, or crisis teams contribute meaningfully to the process. The engagement of all stakeholders of the entire, local care pathway is essential.
- Is the tool intended for individual or collective use?
The tool is designed for team-based use. A multidisciplinary group is strongly recommended, ideally including:
- Clinical staff
- Nursing representatives
- Management
- Quality and safety professionals
- Emergency preparedness staff
- Patient representatives
Resilience assessment benefits from multiple perspectives. Completing the tool in insolation defeats the purpose and would significantly limit its value.
- Is the tool complicated to use?
RESIL-Card is structured to be practical and user-friendly. It can be used during preparedness assessment process, workshops, strategic meetings.
Clear guidance materials are provided to support implementation, and the time required to complete the process will vary depending on the context assessed and the team composition.
- Does the tool generate a score or certification?
The primary goal is structured reflection and improvement planning rather than certification. The outcomes should support internal quality improvement and strategic planning.
- How does the RESIL-Card tool support crisis preparedness?
RESIL-Card helps cardiovascular care professionals:
- Identify vulnerabilities in cardiovascular care pathways
- Assess resilience capacity before disruptions occur
- Strengthen coordination and communication
- Plan concrete actions to maintain essential services during crises
As such, it aligns with the OECD recommendations on health systems resilience (OECD/European Observatory on Health Systems and policies. 2024; OECD 2023) as well as the current EU priorities on crisis prevention, preparedness and response.
- Is RESIL-Card only for use during emergencies?
While designed with crisis scenarios in mind, RESIL-Card is equally valuable in “normal” times.
Building resilience proactively improves quality of care, strengthens teamwork, and optimises communication and interaction between the stakeholders of the care track.
- How to start using the RESIL-Card tool?
The tool is accessible for free here 👉
https://www.wecareabouthearts.org/resil-card/online-tool/
After creating an account, users are guided through the process and will take all steps appropriately and in the correct order to ensure a successful and efficient preparedness assessment.
Users are also encouraged to attend the training sessions and workshops organised by their appointed national ambassadors (country specific) to explore practical applications and share experiences with their peers.
- Who to contact for questions and guidance on the RESIL-Card tool?
As RESIL-Card is being rolled out across Europe, dedicated support is available to guide cardiovascular professionals in using and implementing the tool.
- In participating countries: National RESIL-Card Ambassadors
In countries where the dissemination of the tool is led by the national Working Group of Interventional Cardiology, public or private healthcare policymakers or providers, or the Ministry of Health, National RESIL-Card Ambassadors serve as the primary contact point and national representatives of the RESIL-Card consortium.
They will promote the tool at national level, support its integration into clinical practice, and facilitate connections with professional networks, institutions and relevant stakeholders. They will also collect user feedback and share practical experiences to help strengthen ongoing implementation.
In countries with an Ambassadorship programme, users are encouraged to contact their National Ambassadors directly for national guidance and peer support.
Countries with an established programme to date, ahead of the official launch:
Italy 🇮🇹
Dr Anna Franzone (RESIL-Card National Coordinator)
anna.franzone@unina.it
Dr Lucia Barbieri (RESIL-Card National Ambassador – Northern region)
lucia.barbieri@policlinico.mi.it
Dr Cristian Di Russo (RESIL-Card National Ambassador – Central region)
cristian.dirusso@email.it
Dr Marco Caruso (RESIL-Card National Ambassador – Southern region)
marco.caruso@arnascivico.it
Spain 🇪🇸
Dr Livia Gheorghe
livia_gheorghe_ro@yahoo.es
Dr Fina Mauri (Catalonia)
mauritri@gmail.com
- In other countries: contact the RESIL-Card consortium
In countries with no designated Ambassadors, you can reach out directly to the We CARE team within the RESIL-Card consortium.
The team can provide:
- Guidance on how to use the tool
- Practical implementation support
- Clarification on methodology
- Information on further engagement opportunities
Sandrine Wallace (Project Manager)
sandrine.wallace@gmail.com
Dr William Wijns (Principal Coordinator)
william.wyns@universityofgalway.ie
