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EDUCATION VA PUGET SOUND MEMORANDUM PF-06HEALTHCARE SYSTEM December 2010 SUBJECT: BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS), AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED), AND ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT (ACLS) TRAINING FOR STAFF EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This policy delineates the policies and procedures regarding staff training in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), including Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training, at VA Puget Sound.BACKGROUND: Widespread use of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the availability of AEDs have dramatically improved survival from cardiac arrest. Studies of in-hospital performance of resuscitation practices have demonstrated poor retention of BLS skills. There is also a need to update providers as new information becomes available.POLICY and PROCEDURES:All employees will receive annual training on how and when to activate the internal emergency medical response system and when and where to first activate internal 911.AED training is incorporated into BLS and ACLS training. BLS and ACLS will be American Heart Association provider certified training.The following clinically active staff are required to maintain current BLS certification:All Physicians, Dentists, and Audiologists, except PathologistsAll mid-level providersAll registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse assistantsAll imaging technicians and technologistsAll other clinical technicians and technologists, such as ECG techs, cardiology techs, EEG techsAll Physical Therapists (PT), PT Assistants, Occupational Therapists (OT), OT Assistants Recreational Therapists, Speech PathologistsAll VA PoliceThe following clinical staff are required to maintain current ACLS certification:All providers who use moderate sedation during medical procedures out of the operating roomThese providers must also complete the LMS moderate sedation module for providersNurses who monitor moderate sedation patientsRespiratory TherapistsNurses working in critical care units, Emergency Room (ER) or Urgent Care ClinicPhysicians working in critical care units or ER and Urgent Care ClinicNurses and Cath lab techniciansNew full-time VA employees will have 6 months to become BLS certified.? Current employees will be required to have BLS, based on due date established in LMSNew full-time VA employees who are required to have ACLS must become ACLS certified before becoming eligible for clinical duties. Current employees who have ACLS “equivalent” must become ACLS certified before their “equivalent” certification expires or before their medical privileges are renewed, whichever occurs first.Part-time (less than 5/8ths) and/or contract staff are expected to obtain training through their primary employer, or at their own expense, before becoming eligible for clinical duties. Essential part-time employees, as designated by the Chief of Staff, can obtain BLS and/or ACLS by the same mechanism as full time VA employees.Staff that have ACLS certification are not required to have BLS training.Employees are not eligible for clinical duties if their BLS or ACLS certification expires.RESPONSIBILITIES: The Director is responsible for:(1) Identifying which staff are required to maintain BLS and/or ACLS certification as required by VHA policy; and(2) Ensuring all clinically active staff maintain BLS or ACLS certification.The Chief of Staff is responsible for implementing a system for monitoring BLS and ACLS certification that includes:(1) Where the information is stored;(2) How the information is disseminated to staff that need to know; (3) An action plan to ensure timely renewal of all certifications; and(4) Taking action when appropriate training is not maintainedThe Center for Education and Development is responsible for:(1) Providing annual training on how and when to activate the internal emergency medical response system and when and where to first activate internal 911; and (2) Providing BLS and ACLS education for full-time VA employees that includes AED trainingEmployees are responsible for maintaining current BLS or ACLS certification, as required, and for providing documentation to their supervisor. Supervisors are responsible for maintaining documentation of BLS and ACLS certification records in employee competency folders or provider files. The Emergency Care Committee (ECC) is responsible for reviewing resuscitation policies annually to ensure that local policies are current and applicable.REFERENCES: The Joint Commission Accreditation Manuals, current edition VHA Directive 2008-008 CPR and ACLS Training for StaffVHA Directive 2006-023 Moderate Sedation by Non-Anesthesia ProvidersRESCISSION: Memorandum PF-06, dated April 2010FOLLOW-UP RESPONSIBILITY: Chair, Emergency Care Committee DAVID A. ELIZALDEDirector ................
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