Basic Life Support (BLS) training policy
The following excerpt from the 2004 "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Policies", developed by the CPR Committee and approved by the Board of Governors, relates to the institutional policy for BLS.
It is well documented that training and competency in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) substantially improve performance of life support skills involved in a resuscitation. Additionally, CPR and early defibrillation have been shown to improve patient survival. In order to insure that BLS is administered as quickly as possible to a victim of cardiopulmonary arrest, it is required that all health care providers who deliver direct patient care or support personnel who come in direct contact with patients demonstrate competency in BLS every two years as evidenced by completing the American Heart Association Health Care Provider Course or the Heartsaver with Automated External Defibrillator Course - or its equivalent as judged by the Life Support Program Coordinator. These providers include, but are not limited to all members of MHMH Professional Staff as defined by the Office of Clinical Affairs:
- Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
- Foreign equivalent of MD (MBBS)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Implementation policy
Each department will determine the categories of staff who are direct care providers or support personnel who come in direct contact with patients and must be trained in BLS. All designated persons will be trained in BLS within eight weeks of employment and/or appointment and will continue to demonstrate competence every two years.
A grace period of one month is extended for those who must recertify in BLS. A penalty may be imposed if BLS status is not current for an individual.
- Attending staff are not granted admitting privileges unless BLS is current.
- If a nurse, technologist, or technician is not retrained by the end of the following month after her/his BLS expiration date, she/he will be suspended without pay until competency is demonstrated. A contract for BLS retraining will then be established with the appropriate leadership person.
- If a resident is not retrained by the end of the following month after their BLS expiration date, he/she may lose medical staff privileges.
If a person is unable to perform the BLS skills due to a physical disability or medical condition, the BLS written test must be completed and a written physician verification must be given to one's supervisor and reviewed annually.
For more information about life support courses and sign-up, call the Patient Safety Training Center at 653-3399.