02.01.02. Maintenance of CPR certification
MRTs maintain up-to-date certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
The importance of CPR
- The timely delivery of CPR can provide significant survival benefits1.
- The quality of the CPR, ventilation and chest compressions, administered has also been shown to be of importance for survival1.
- The majority of in-hospital cardiac arrests are witnessed events, making early CPR and defibrillation possible.
- Specific requirements for CPR certification and recertification are currently set at the institutional level.
Regular recertification
- A recent study estimates that actual survival rates for CPR are lower than expected since the CPR isn’t performed correctly – even by healthcare professionals.
- Analysis of recent studies of CPR in healthcare facilities showed that learned CPR skills deteriorate significantly over time.
- In Canada, both the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation and the St. John’s Ambulance recommend that healthcare professionals recertify in CPR on an annual basis for the best possible outcomes2,3.
- Many institutions encourage their staff to recertify in CPR on an annual basis
- The current schedule of 1 to 2 days of resuscitation training every year or couple of years is effective for short-term learning. However, learners often do not retain these skills in the long term. Shorter learning sessions every few months may improve learning outcomes4.
- In addition to the patient benefits, MRTs will also be kept up to date with new development in CPR methods and technique.
References
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Abella BS, Alvarado JP, Myklebust H, et al. Quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during in-hospital cardiac arrest. JAMA. 2005;293(3):305-310.
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St. John’s Ambulance. Level C CPR and recertification. Available from: https://www.sja.ca/English/Courses-and-Training/Pages/Course%20Descriptions/Workplace-Courses.aspx. [Accessed 12 Dec 2019]
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Michener Institute. Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (CPR) Recertification. Available at: https://michener.ca/ce_course/basic-life-support-cpr-renewal/. [Accessed 12 Dec 2019]
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Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Highlights from the Resuscitation Education Science Scientific Statement. Available from: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/-/media/pdf-files/cpr/new-pdfs/2018highlightsfromtheresuscitationeducationscientificstatement.ashx?rev=c64ff7aaa28f44cfbcaf66408a803b7a&hash=F2DA3962AFD19E52F4AD694D973D83E3. [Accessed 12 Dec 2019]