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Resuscitation Services

The Resuscitation Services team provides training to all clinical staff, in how to manage a cardiac arrest within a hospital environment. Training offered can range from a short Basic Life Support update through to nationally accredited courses, run over several days.

In addition the team offer advice and guidance on policy and equipment issues relating to resuscitation practice, and provide clinical support during a cardiac arrest call.

Support extends beyond the hospital with participation in national initiatives and training for various community / charity groups.

The following courses are available at the Countess of Chester.

CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

This is a one and a half hour session that is mandatory for all staff involved in patient care. It covers the latest guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in and out of hospital, legal issues, equipment familiarisation and steps to be taken to prevent a cardiac arrest. There then follows a practical session with manikins covering the use of self inflating bags and chest compressions. A certificate of attendance is awarded that is valid for one year.

A Handout of material covered in the session is available which includes a page for reflection of the session.

Ward Based Scenario

This informal session is designed to simulate a ward based emergency. Staff are able to practice skills and use equipment form their own clinical area. Members of staff can also place emergency calls to switchboard, enabling operators to practice emergency drills.

ILS - Immediate Life Support

Valid 1 year - This is a one day Resuscitation Council accredited course which is available to all trained staff. The course teaches staff to be members of the Cardiac Arrest team. The programme includes;

  • Causes and prevention of Cardiac Arrest
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
  • Airway Management
  • Defibrillation (Manual)
  • Simulated Cardiac Arrest

The course teaches you about being part of the cardiac arrest team. Assessment is continuous and the Resuscitation Council (UK) issues a certificate that is valid for 1 year. The course is free of charge to all internal staff that are eligible to attend and staff are required to attend the entire course to successfully complete.

Application forms available from Resuscitation Training.

ALS - Advanced Life Support Course

Valid 3 Years - This is a two day course accredited by the Resuscitation Council (UK) for health care professionals who are members of the Cardiac Arrest team and who may on occasion be expected to lead a cardiac arrest. It is an intensive programme that includes causes and prevention of cardiac arrests, acute coronary syndromes, ECG rhythm recognition, management of peri-arrest situations, resuscitation in special circumstances, defibrillation and ethics and bereavement.

Pre Course reading required

The ALS course manual, which is issued 4 weeks before the course. Pre course Multiple Choice to be completed and handed in at registration.

Summative assessment in:

  • Cardiac arrest Scenario Test
  • Multiple Chioce Questionaire (MCQ) - 45 mins for paper, pass mark 75%

Outcome based assessment in:

  • Airway Management
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
  • Defibrillation

You have to attend the entire course to successfully complete.

Please contact HR support Services 01244 366125 to request an application form or to obtain a current course cost.

 

APLS - Advanced Paediatric Life Support

ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support

Valid 4 years - This a two and a half day course accredited by The Royal College of Surgeons, which deals with the management of trauma in adults. The syllabus covers many aspects of trauma management including airway management, thoracic injuries, spinal injuries, head injuries, trauma in women and children. Practical stations include skill stations in chest drain insertion, CVP insertion, surgical airway management, assessment of head injuries and shock.

There are 24 places per course, 8 are reserved for observers who can be from a nursing, paramedical or PAMS background.

Pre Course reading required

The ATLS course manual, which is issued 4 weeks before the course. Pre course Multiple Choice to be completed and handed in at registration.

There is a summative assessment for providers only in:

  • Moulage (simulated trauma scenarios)
  • Triage

This is a 45 minute multiple choice question paper - pass mark 32/40. Observers are asked to be an assistant for the provider moulage tests on day three.

Please contact HR support Services 01244 366125 to request an application form or to obtain a current course cost.

GIC - Generic Instructor Course

This is a three day course accredited by The Resuscitation Council (UK) and The Advanced Life Support Group (ALSG), which teaches potential ALS and APLS instructors how to teach on the provider course. Candidates have to be selected as having Instructor potential from their provider course and be selected from a national waiting list.

The course syllabus includes, adult learning needs, lecture techniques, teaching skills and workshops, teaching scenarios and assessment. Practical stations include teaching and assessing a skill, delivery of a lecture, teaching and assessing scenarios, teaching a workshop.

Pre Course reading required

The GIC course manual, which is issued 4 weeks before the course, prepare the allocations for teaching in lecture, workshop, skill teach and assess, scenario teach and assess.

There is continuous assessment throughout the course. Candidates will practice their lecture, skill teach etc once and then be asked to deliver the same allocations a second time.

Please contact HR support Services 01244 366125 to request an application form or to obtain a current course cost.

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