CTC Home Page
Updated May 6, 2008
TC STATS
Current Instructor Count: 567
Participants Trained in 2008 YTD: 6,782 Trained in 2007: 18,660
Attention AHA Instructors: Effective Immediately
Issue Date: May 5, 2008
The American Heart Association (AHA) has released a new Program Administration Manual, governing AHA operations including Training Center management, instructor and provider course instruction standards, effective March 1, 2008. It contains mandatory and recommended standards and guidelines that were previously in place; however, the Community Training Center is now held accountable for strictly enforcing them.
- All instructors, including those who teach any type of BCLS courses, must have each class participant complete an Instructor/Course Evaluation. After the evaluations are collected, the instructor must summarize the results on one page that will be attached to the course roster. The summary does not have to be a standard form and can be designed by the individual instructor. For those who do not have samples of evaluation forms, we will be glad to send you a sample.
****ANY Roster received in the Training Center without the evaluation
summary attached will be returned to the instructor without cards.****
- AHA has increased the prices of cards for all disciplines for the first time in 10 years. The TC has absorbed the cost of these cards since January as a good faith effort.
Effective June 1, 2008, the cost of cards will be as follows:
Ø Every type of BLS course card will increase from $1.10 to $1.35
Ø ACLS and PALS course cards will increase from $2.70 to $2.80
Ø The $5.00 fee will remain in place for those who need replacements for lost or stolen cards.
- All instructors who are new to our Training Center must complete affiliation forms and other requirements in no more than 30 days from the first date of intent to affiliate with WFUBMC’s TC.
Ø For those who transfer from another Training Center, copies of former TC records and instructor card(s) must be received with the $30.00 new affiliation fee and application.
Ø For new instructors completing Instructor Courses, applications, fees and Core Instructor Course certificates must be brought to the classroom portion of the Instructor Course, if participating in a WFUBMC TC sponsored course.
Ø For anyone planning to take an instructor course outside the WFUBMC TC and seeking affiliation with WFUBMC TC, you must receive written pre-course acceptance from our TC.
***In these three instances, the instructor must be monitored while teaching an official AHA course no later than 90 days from the beginning of the process. Any instructor who does not adhere to these standards and guidelines will have any and all affiliation/application materials discarded after 30 days. This can adversely affect any further attempt to affiliate with WFUBMC’s Training Center. ***
Please call Daphne Lopez at (336) 716-6457 with any questions or concerns.
Due to recent media coverage about "Hands-Only CPR", many healthcare providers are asking if they should stop ventilations. The answer is absolutely not! Please read the online documents that outline how these changes affect your CPR/BLS classes. Please note that hands-only CPR is only recommended for bystanders on the scene of an out-of-hospital, adult, witnessed, sudden cardiac arrest.
You should log on to the AHA Instructor Network Portal to read about these changes and to print all of the new lesson maps. The website is:
http://my.americanheart.org/portal/professional
In other news, many of you may have been taught that there are songs with an underling beat of 100 per minute. Many instructors have used this knowledge as a teaching aid to help students learn the speed of the 100 per minute compression rate during class. It is never appropriate to hum or sing any song during an actual resuscitation.
I am very sad to say that someone did hum or sing one of these songs during an actual resuscitation. As a result of this, I am asking that we do not refer to any songs during classes. If you are not familiar with these songs, you will not need to alter your teaching habits.
Set aside Saturday, October 18 for the American Heart Association’s Annual Walk. This year, we need your extra help, not just to walk, but the WFUBMC Training Center will be sponsoring CPR-Family and Friends training. We using a very innovative design…learn a part of CPR as you stop at each water station, then “put it all together” at the WFUBMC tent. If you are interested in helping with this event, contact Daphne. She will place your name on the list and notify you later in the year to confirm your role and commitment. Many of you have asked about mass community training from helping in the past --- this is it!!
Finally, course completion cards are being revised. New content will include the full address of the Training Center and the actual course location. Go to our website to see a sample of the newly revised card. Both card styles (old and new) will be accepted during this two year transitional period.
In order to best prepare yourself to be a high quality AHA instructor and maintain that level of quality, you must maintain a watchful eye on several key websites, this is our standard for disseminating information to the instructors.
Important Reminder
All instructors need to make sure they are in ratio when teaching classes. No more than 8 students per instructor in a single class!
Important Announcement from AHA ECC Programs: Temporary Hold on All Spanish & Portuguese Products |
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| - | Dear Training Network: Due to the discovery of a translation issue in the Spanish ECC Handbook for Healthcare Providers (product number 80-2301), we have issued a temporary hold on the sale of ALL Spanish and Portuguese products while we conduct a translation audit of those materials. This audit was initiated on January 25, 2008, and is expected to take approximately 2-3 weeks to complete. As the audit is completed for each Spanish or Portuguese product line, we will re-release that product line, and distributors will be able to resume sales. We will not hold all materials until the full audit process is complete. Please also note that some products may not be affected at all, and may release much sooner. To keep you informed of the status of each product, we have established the following web page. At this web page, we will post frequent product re-release updates and any necessary errata sheets. This web page will be your source for product statuses throughout the audit process, until all materials have been approved for re-release. We apologize for any inconvenience this translation audit may cause and assure you that we are working diligently to ensure a smooth audit process and get these lifesaving Spanish and Portuguese training materials into your hands. Sincerely,
American Heart Association ECC Programs
Anuncio importante de los Programas de ACE de la AHA: Interrupción temporal de todos los productos en español y portugués
Estimada red de entrenadores: Debido a que se hallara un problema en la traducción del Guía de ACE para personal del equipo de salud, en español (número de producto 80-2301), hemos interrumpido temporalmente la venta de TODOS los productos en español y portugués mientras auditamos la traducción de esos materiales. Esta auditoría se inició el 25 de enero de 2008 y se prevé que se completará en aproximadamente 2 o 3 semanas. A medida que la auditoría de cada línea de productos en español y portugués se complete, volveremos a lanzar esa línea de productos y los distribuidores podrán reiniciar su venta. No vamos a interrumpir la salida de todos los materiales hasta que se complete el proceso de auditoría. Probablemente algunos productos no se vean afectados y podrán salir a la venta mucho antes. Para mantenerlos informados sobre el estado de cada producto, hemos creado la siguiente página web. En esa página web, publicaremos actualizaciones frecuentes de las nuevas fechas de salida y cualquier información necesaria sobre fe de erratas. A través de esta página web, podrán conocer el estado de cada producto a lo largo del proceso de auditoría hasta que se hayan aprobado todos los materiales para su relanzamiento. Les pedimos disculpas por cualquier inconveniente que les pueda causar la auditoría de la traducción y les aseguramos que estamos trabajando diligentemente para garantizar un proceso de auditoría ágil y hacer llegar a sus manos esos materiales de entrenamiento en español y portugués para salvar vidas. Atentamente,
Programas de ACE de la American Heart Association |
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Heartsaver First Aid Instructors
Many instructors have inquired about getting renewal Heartsaver First Aid Instructor cards. Under the 2005 ECC Guidelines, if a BLS Instructor has a current BLS Instructor card, he or she is able to teach any class under the BLS umbrella (except BCLS Instructor courses and rollouts) with just the one card. The instructor should teach at least four Heartsaver First Aid or Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid classes in a two year period.
For individuals who become new BLS instructors, they need to take the BLS Instructor course, and subsequently take either Heartsaver First Aid Provider or Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid Provider in order to teach all types of classes under the BLS umbrella. They would then hold two cards.
Alert to BLS Instructors: Please make sure that all topics are covered when teaching Healthcare Provider (bag valve mask, barrier devices, choking and AED). Participants must be timed during their 5 cycles of compressions to breaths, 30:2.
Training Center Hours of Operation
Beginning Monday, August 27, 2007, the hours of operation for the CTC will be 7:00AM-3:30PM. If you need to pick up rental equipment or to come in for other issues outside those hours, please call and we can make arrangements for your request in advance. Due to the nature of our business, we may be working offsite at another satellite. If possible, please schedule an appointment if you need to come in for issues other than dropping off rosters or picking up cards.
Tell Us Your Story!
Beginning this past August 2007, we started doing a monthly feature story submitted by one of our instructors. Some of you have gone over and beyond the call of duty and strengthened the “chain of survival.” If you have a success story of when CPR was needed unexpectedly during a class or off-duty activities, please email your story to daplopez@wfubmc.edu. Some instructors have informed us at the Training Center that they saved victims experiencing either cardiac arrest or choking. Fortunately, they were there to rescue the victim and knew exactly what to do! Those who read the website would love to hear your human interest story --- so please, share it with us!
For the month of November, one of our instructors, Mark Holt was featured in the Kernersville News, published November 6, 2007:
Piney Grove firefighters save life
On Oct. 15, the firefighters of Piney Grove Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department were busily engaged in a training exercise as part of their continuing education classes for maintaining their certifications as emergency medical technicians (EMT).
Just like any other training night, firefighters in attendance were assigned to various trucks to make responding to a call during training easier. Lori Bork, Elizabeth Boger and Mark Holt were assigned to the department’s rescue truck.
That night, firefighters were training for cardiac emergencies and were working through scenarios with their instructor. They had been working for about an hour when the department was dispatched to a home not far from the fire station. Bork, Boger and Holt responded.
“The call came in as a seizure,” Bork said. “The home was almost right behind the fire station, so we were able to respond in less than a minute. When we walked in, the patient was on the couch. He had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. He was basically dead.”
Bork and Holt eased the patient to the floor. They reassessed the patient – and still, no breathing or pulse. Boger began chest compressions while Bork gave the patient oxygen using an airbag. While they were working, Holt began preparing to use the department’s AED, or automatic external defibrillator.
“We got the pads on the patient and waited,” Holt said. “The machine will take a moment to detect a pulse or heart activity and tell you whether you should continue chest compressions or administer a shock. The machine told us to shock the patient and we pushed the button.”
Forsyth County EMS personnel arrived just after the patient had been revived. They switched their AED with Piney Grove’s, double-checked the patient’s pulse, and moved him to the ambulance.
“Elizabeth and I rode to the hospital with him,” Bork said. “He never once lost his pulse – and he had a good, strong pulse. He didn’t regain consciousness, but he was breathing on his own.”
Thanks to the fast response and a well-trained team, Bork said the patient is home and doing well.
“He’s absolutely fine,” Bork said. “He has no brain damage at all and went home just a few days after being hospitalized.”
That night’s training was one of many “refresher courses” that are required for EMT’s to have in order to keep their certification. Every four years, an EMT’s training file is reviewed and checked for successful completion of continuing education classes.
“It just so happened that last month we were working on CPR and cardiac emergency response,” Holt said. “You can’t miss but one continuing education class out of a year, and every two years you have to get recertified in CPR as part of continuing education. That was definitely one hour’s worth of training that paid off.”
The trio – all of whom are volunteers – said they each undergo a minimum of 30 hours of training in a year.
Boger is currently enrolled in paramedic school at Davidson County Community College. She has been with the Piney Grove fire department for less than a year and said the Oct. 15 incident was the first time she had ever had to do CPR on a patient. Bork, the wife of Piney Grove Chief Randy Bork, has been with the department for about two years and has only had to do CPR two patients in that time. Holt has logged four years with the department and has more than a decade of experience in rescue. The Oct. 15 incident was the first time he had ever had to shock someone using the AED.
“I think ‘Joe Blow’ on the street should have CPR training,” Bork said. “It’s something everybody ought to know. You can save a life with it.”
“Many malls and places like Wal-Mart have AED’s on the walls,” Holt said. “All CPR training courses that come from the American Heart Association have AED training in their curriculum. You ought to be able to grab it off the wall and use it if you have to – it’s automated and tells you what needs to be done. You won’t be able to shock someone who doesn’t need it.”
Bork said the trio was “thrilled” they were able to save a life with their training.
“We didn’t miss a beat,” she said. “You don’t have time to be nervous. It truly was an awesome experience. It’s a great feeling to know he’s home, alive and doing well.”
“Elizabeth and Lori haven’t had as much experience in rescue as I have, but they were top-notch that night,” Holt said. “They were just awesome. That’s what we train for. It could just as easily have happened on a non-training night when we weren’t here and ready to go, but everything worked out for the best.”
Effective August 1, 2007, any instructor who sends in an incomplete roster will receive notification. On the third occurrence within six months, the roster will be returned to the instructor without giving class credit and no issuance of cards.
Emphasized information:
Effective 12-01-06, there is no reciprocity offered to Red Cross instructors who wish to become AHA instructors with the Community Training Center. Red Cross instructors are required to take the same steps as those who become new instructors. Prior to taking the instructor course, Red Cross Professional Rescuers must complete the Healthcare Provider course sponsored by the AHA. Please contact the Training Center for details.
Please Fill Out Rosters Correctly!!!
In order to be in compliance with the American Heart Association, it is imperative that all instructors use the most current version of the AHA Course roster. (Forms). We continue to have problems with instructors not filling out rosters correctly or completely. The class type, course date, number of participants, student/manikin ratio, course location, instructor’s name, payment option and address for card receipt must be filled out on the first page. On the second page, a legible name of participant(s), (no social security number required), telephone number and address of each participant as well as scores (numerical for Healthcare Provider, ACLS or PALS, and Pass/Fail for other BLS courses) must be completed. The instructor must sign and date the bottom of that page and provide us with a daytime phone number and address. The social security number will already be on file. Many instructors teach Healthcare Provider and then Heartsaver First Aid on the same day to the same group of participants. In that case, two separate rosters must be completed in order to give credit for two classes and so that all cards are issued correctly. Instructors may use instructors affiliated with other Training Centers provided they have a current AHA Instructor card; however, a copy of that card needs to be sent in with the roster in order to count that instructor in with the class.
Fax, mail or email each roster as each class is completed so that we can receive them no more than 10 days after each class. Non-compliance with these guidelines will mean “no cards.”
“PAY UP FRONT”
Course Card Procedure!!!
When forwarding a course roster, include a check, phone in your credit card information or plan to pay for cards when you pick them up. This procedure will be for cards to be issued if the cost is $25 or less.
The TC accepts debit/credit cards!!!
We have listened to your requests to accept credit/debit cards as payment for cards, rentals, etc. The Training Center accepts major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Diners’ Club. This should make your transactions with the TC more simple and efficient.
Also, if you teach multiple classes over a long period of time, fax, mail or email each roster as each class is completed so that we can receive them no more than 10 days after each class.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that your envelope includes DAPHNE LOPEZ, COMMUNITY TRAINING CENTER when mailing anything to our attention.
IMPORTANT ACLS & PALS INFO
All ACLS and PALS courses must be taught according to the 2005 guidelines. All ACLS and PALS Instructors need to go to the ACLS Info and/or PALS Info pages for information and links to refresh yourself on guideline updates. Use the AHA Instructor Network to maintain current on guidelines.
INSTRUCTOR NETWORK PORTAL
Instructors should check this site often
Instructors, please check the Instructor Network Portal on a regular basis to get the most up-to-date information. We try to keep our TC website updated and we try to e-mail everyone when new information is released, but you must be pro-active in checking the Instructor Network Portal regularly. See the AHA News page of this website for more information about this exciting concept from the AHA.
Student to Instructor Ratio
Instructors need to keep in mind that the maximum student to instructor ratio is nine students to every one instructor and three students per manikin. Rosters that are received with more than nine students to one instructor or with more than three students for every manikin will be returned without cards or credit.
Who Can Monitor Me?
This has become an increasingly asked question of the Training Center (TC). Every Instructor needs to be monitored every 2 years; that is once in your 2 year renewal period. New Instructors need to be monitored within 90 days of taking their original Instructor Course.
Only Training Center Faculty or the Training Center Coordinator can monitor an instructor. The Training Center has a list of TC Faculty on hand. These are Instructors that have been appointed due to their expertise in the AHA content and delivery. Please give the TC adequate notice of the class in which you would like to be monitored and we will find a TC Faculty member to monitor you.
Remember, this is a requirement to maintain instructor status. Instructors that do not fulfill this requirement will not receive instructor renewal.
Late Roster Notices
The AHA guidelines allow 30 days after the course completion for issuance of course cards. We also have to submit participant counts to the AHA on the 10th of the month. Therefore, the TC will need rosters submitted no later than 10 days after course completion to maintain a quick card turnaround and accurate participant counts.
On the first and second occurrences of a late roster the instructor will receive cards and/or credit for the class along with a warning letter explaining how important it is to turn in rosters on time. On the third occurrence in a six month period the roster will be returned to the instructor without cards and without credit for the class. This can jeopardize your AHA instructor status.
Website
Please refer to this website for the most recent information regarding TC and American Heart Association instructor issues. We provide services for over 500 instructors and we feel that this is the most efficient way of distributing up-to-date information.
Announcements regarding any mandatory Instructor Updates or Roll-Outs will be mailed to the instructors’ home address (on file) and posted on this website.
Courses Offered at WFUBMC
The Life Support Education department handles all scheduling and registration for ACLS, BCLS and PALS courses offered at WFUBMC. Their website www.wfubmc.edu/lse has course descriptions and requirements, contact information and registration forms.