E-Learning for Cardiac Lifesaving Skills Benefits Hospitals
Certification for cardiac lifesaving skills is required on an annual or biannual basis in hospitals in the U.S., making certification training a significant initiative for many healthcare organizations. When that training occurs in the traditional way, with live, instructor-led classes, the logistics of making sure everyone is trained and certified are daunting. There are often issues with classroom space, finding instructors, coverage for learners’ time away from their regular jobs and responsibilities, and last minute cancellations.
Moving to HeartCode BLS, ACLS, and PALS for online training and manikin-based certification makes a big difference for HealthStream customer Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, in Palmer, Alaska. Faced with the need for more than 50 training classes a year, they needed a more convenient training solution, that was easier to manage. Now the hospital provides certification training that meshes far better with trainees’ schedules. Some find it to be harder, and Mat-Su is pleased that inconsistencies between instructors are no longer an issue. HeartCode is always up to date with the latest standards for cardiac lifesaving, and learners cannot pass without understanding the proper procedures for compression and ventilation.
Reducing the need for live classes has made the work of Mat-Su’s education department significantly easier. In some instances, they’ve even had to cancel live classes for lack of interest. When instructors are required, the commitment is often only 3-4 hours, rather than the two days necessary under the old system. Trainees’ responses that they are pleased with the HeartCode experience are truly the best demonstration of Mat-Su’s success with this adoption.
