Two Local Hospitals Use Innovative Digital Program for CPR Training and Improved Cardiac Arrest Survival

Patients who suffer a cardiac arrest must receive efficient and high-quality CPR, which is known to be the cornerstone of survival. According the the National Institutes of Health, approximately 290,000 in-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the U.S. with survival rates at about 25%. For decades, the CPR training standard for healthcare providers has been Basic Life Support with a requirement for participants to renew their course completion card every two years. However, studies show CPR skills can decline within three to six months following this training.

Northern Nevada Medical Center (NNMC) and Sierra Medical Center (SMC) recognize the importance of high-quality CPR competence and performance to save more lives. The hospitals introduced Resuscitation Quality Improvement^® (RQI), a program co-developed by the American Heart Association^® and Laerdal Medical, to help clinicians achieve, master and sustain high-quality CPR skills and competence, resulting in improved patient outcomes.

The hospitals’ RQI program adoption demonstrates their continued, longstanding commitment to providing a positive, proactive and patient-centered experience and leveraging innovative solutions to advance patient care and prepare clinicians to deliver that care. The RQI stations are positioned in centralized locations at the hospitals giving learners greater flexibility and 24/7 access to resuscitation training and education.

“By implementing RQI, we ensure our staff are refreshing and practicing life-saving skills on a regular basis and are prepared to care for patients using a program that is shown to improve the quality of resuscitation efforts, directly impacting patient outcomes,” said Danielle Craperi, DNP, RN, CNL, CNML, System Director of Education, Northern Nevada Health System.

RQI is a self-directed, simulation-based learning and performance tool provided through cognitive and hands-on CPR quality improvement sessions that measure and verify competence. The program employs a “low-dose, high-frequency” model requiring healthcare providers to complete course assignments in short sessions every quarter. Both adult and pediatric mannequins are used in the program.

In 2018, the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, and Laerdal Medical, one of the world leaders in medical simulation and resuscitation training, called for a new standard of care by shifting resuscitation practice from training once every two years to quarterly instruction to verify CPR competence for healthcare professionals. The RQI program is delivered by RQI Partners, a partnership between and service provider for the Association and Laerdal.

“We are excited that Northern Nevada Health System answered the call and is fully embracing the RQI program and working with the American Heart Association, Laerdal Medical and RQI Partners to shift to a new standard of resuscitation care – competence,” said Russell Griffin, RQI Partners’ Senior Vice President of Programs and Marketing. “Both Northern Nevada Medical Center and Sierra Medical Center have made high-quality CPR delivery a priority and join our commitment to ensuring all healthcare providers in every community are competent and confident in their resuscitation skills to help save more lives from cardiac arrest.”

To learn more about the RQI program and the value it brings to hospitals, patient care and local communities, visit heart.org, www.laerdal.com and www.rqipartners.com.