CPR theory online and optional CPR practice and assessment

Overview

Many deaths from heart disease occur outside the hospital setting and present as sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The reported survival rates for out-of-hospital SCA in Australia vary from 3% to 71%^1-10 with the time to defibrillation shown to be a key factor in survival.^11-13 Due to time delay, reliance on ambulance defibrillators is a poor option for cardiac arrest in general practice as the chance of survival is reduced by 7–10% each minute defibrillation is delayed.^14,15 Resuscitation is possible and all general practices should be capable of providing this level of care.

Therefore gplearning has developed two activities: CPR theory online - theory only which focuses on the theory behind cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Accredited Basic CPR - including practical assessment which offers both the theory behind CPR as well as a face-to-face opportunity for CPR practice and assessment. Both activities are suitable for GPs, medical students, practice nurses (PNs), practice managers, receptionists and other practice staff, and are described in detail below.

CPR theory online - theory only

CPR theory online - theory only is based on the Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines and focuses on basic techniques required for the immediate commencement of CPR, the minimisation of interruptions to compressions and the need for prompt defibrillation. The activity also describes the legal requirements of providing CPR and the management of an unconscious patient.

CPR theory online - theory only specifically covers:

• Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines
• Basic life support and advanced life support
• Automatic defibrillation
• Airway management skills.

By the end of each activity participants will be able to:

• Describe the legal requirements of providing CPR including duty of care, consent and negligence issues.
• Explain the ‘chain of survival’.
• Identify and describe the management of an unconscious patient.
• Describe ARC resuscitation guidelines including compression ventilation ratio and rescue breathing.
• Discuss and understand the need for prompt defibrillation.

CPR theory online - theory only should take approximately 1.5 hours to complete and is approved for 3 Category 2 points in the RACGP QI&CPD Program. This activity is also endorsed for 1.5 Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) Continuing Nurse Education (CNE) points as part of RCNA’s Life Long Learning Program (3LP). CPR theory online - theory only has been allocated 1 (one) AAPM CPD point per 1 (one) hour of education by The Australian Association of Practice Managers Ltd (AAPM).

This activity does not include CPR practice and assessment. If you wish to have your CPR skills assessed or meet your CPR requirements for the triennium, please enrol in Accredited Basic CPR - including practical assessment.

CPR theory online - theory only is free for RACGP members and is available for GP members at www.gplearning.com.au

Accredited Basic CPR - including practical assessment

Accredited Basic CPR - including practical assessment includes all the theory found in CPR theory online - theory only as well as offering an opportunity for a face-to-face session for those who require CPR practice and assessment to meet their CPR requirements for the 2011-2013 RACGP QI&CPD Program triennium, However the Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines recommend that those trained in CPR should refresh their skills at least annually.

This activity specifically covers:

• Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines
• Basic life support and advanced life support
• Automatic defibrillation
• Airway management skills
• CPR practice and assessment
• Emergency crisis scene safety and management.

By the end of each activity participants will be able to:

• Describe the legal requirements of providing CPR including duty of care, consent and negligence issues.
• Explain the ‘chain of survival’.
• Identify and describe the management of an unconscious patient.
• Describe ARC resuscitation guidelines including compression ventilation ratio and rescue breathing.
• Discuss and understand the need for prompt defibrillation.
• Apply and practice CPR skills in real time.
• Successfully complete CPR assessment.

The online component of Accredited Basic CPR - including practical assessment should take approximately 1.5 hours to complete while the face-to-face component should take approximately 15 minutes. As a whole (online and assessment) the activity is approved for 5 Category 2 points in the RACGP QI&CPD Program. This also satisfies the compulsory CPR component for the RACGP QI&CPD triennium. This activity is also endorsed for 2 RCNA CNE points as part of RCNA’s 3LP. Accredited Basic CPR - including practical assessment has been allocated 1 (one) AAPM CPD point per 1 (one) hour of education by The Australian Association of Practice Managers Ltd (AAPM).

This activity includes CPR practice and assessment. If you do not wish to have your CPR skills assessed, please enrol in CPR theory online - theory only.

As a special offer, all participants who register for Accredited Basic CPR - including practical assessment will have the opportunity to purchase a CPR 123 personal learning program which will enable them to practice and reinforce the life saving skill of CPR in the comfort and convenience of their own practice.

Accredited Basic CPR - including practical assessment will be available at selected locations following completion of the online component.

How to register and cost

View available practice and assessment locations

References

1. Bernard S. Outcome from prehospital cardiac arrest in Melbourne, Australia. Emerg Med 1998; 10: 25-29.
2. Bett JH. Experience with a mobile coronary care unit in Brisbane. Ann Emerg Med 1989; 18: 969–974.
3. Brennan RJ, Luke C. Failed prehospital resuscitation following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: are further efforts in the emergency department warranted? Emerg Med 1995; 7: 131–138.
4. Finn JC, Jacobs IG, Holman CD, Oxer HF. Outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in Perth, Western Australia, 1996–1999. Resuscitation 2001; 51: 247–255.
5. Jackson T, Cameron P. Prehospital defibrillation in Geelong. Emerg Med 1993; 5: 184–187.
6. Jacobs IG, Oxer HF. A review of pre-hospital defibrillation by ambulance officers in Perth, Western Australia. Med J Aust 1990; 153: 662–664.
7. Jennings P, Pasco J. Survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the Geelong region of Victoria, Australia. Emerg Med (Fremantle) 2001; 13: 319–325.
8. Sammel NL, Taylor K, Selig M, O’Rourke MF. New South Wales intensive care ambulance system. Med J Aust 1981; 2: 546–550.
9. Scott IA, Fitzgerald GJ. Early defibrillation in out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death: an Australian experience. Arch Emerg Med 1993; 10: 1–7.
10. Wassertheil J, Keane G, Fisher N, Leditschke JF. Cardiac arrest outcomes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Shrine of Remembrance using a tiered response strategy — a forerunner to public access defibrillation. Resuscitation 2000; 44: 97–104.
11. Colquhoun M. Resuscitation by primary care doctors. Resuscitation 2006; 70: 229–37.
12. Finn JC, Jacobs IG, Holman CD, Oxer HF. Outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in Perth, Western Australia, 1996-1999. Resuscitation 2001; 51: 247–55.
13. Valenzuela TD, Roe DJ, Nichol G, Clark LL, Spaite DW, Hardman RG. Outcomes of rapid defibrillation by security officers after cardiac arrest in casinos. N Engl J Med 2000; 343: 1206–9.
14. Jennings P, Pasco J. Survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the Geelong region of Victoria, Australia. Emerg Med (Fremantle) 2001; 13: 319–25.
15. Larsen MP, Eisenberg MS, Cummins RO, Hallstrom AP. Predicting survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a graphic model. Ann Emerg Med 1993; 22: 1652–8.