Innovative program verifies CPR expertise to help increase cardiac arrest survival.
Patients who suffer a cardiac arrest must receive the highest quality CPR possible, which is known to be the cornerstone of survival. More than 209,000 in-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the U.S. with survival rates at about 26% from adult in-hospital cardiac arrest. For decades, the CPR training standard for healthcare providers has been Basic Life Support with a requirement for participants to renew their course completion card every two years. However, studies show CPR skills can decay within three to six months following this training.
South Texas Health System, the largest integrated network of healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley, recognizes the importance of high-quality CPR competence and performance to save more lives. This summer, South Texas Health System introduced Resuscitation Quality Improvement® (RQI®), a program co-developed by the American Heart Association® and Laerdal Medical, across its four acute care facilities and seven freestanding emergency departments to help clinicians achieve, master and sustain high-quality CPR skills and competence, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
The healthcare system’s RQI program adoption demonstrates its continued, longstanding commitment to providing a positive, proactive and patient-centered experience and leveraging innovative solutions to advance patient care and prepare clinicians to deliver that care. More than 2300 clinicians are enrolled in Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support course instruction, which is delivered through 12 RQI Simulation Stations. The stations are positioned in a centralized location at STHS McAllen, STHS Heart and the STHS Edinburg/STHS Children’s campus, STHS Behavioral, the system’s freestanding emergency departments and the STHS Regional Operations Center, affording learners with greater flexibility and 24/7 access to resuscitation training and education.
“Our hospitals are committed to providing the highest quality of care and adopting the Resuscitation Quality Improvement program reflects this dedication,” said Kennetha Foster, MSN, RN, System Chief Nursing Officer, South Texas Health System. “By implementing RQI, we’re ensuring that our healthcare professionals have the opportunity to regularly refresh and hone their life-saving skills using a program shown to improve the quality of resuscitation efforts, which positively impacts patient outcomes. Ultimately, our goal is to empower our teams with the best tools and training possible — fostering a culture of excellence in patent care across our hospital system.”
RQI is self-directed, simulation-based learning and performance provided through cognitive and hands-on CPR quality improvement sessions that measure and verify competence. The program employs a “low-dose, high-frequency” model requiring healthcare providers to complete course assignments in short sessions every quarter.
In 2018, the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, and Laerdal Medical, one of the world leaders in medical simulation and resuscitation training, called for a new standard of care by shifting resuscitation practice from training once every two years to
quarterly instruction to verify CPR competence for healthcare professionals. The RQI program is delivered by RQI Partners, a partnership between and service provider for the Association and Laerdal.
“We are excited South Texas Health System answered the call and are fully embracing the RQI program and working with the American Heart Association, Laerdal Medical and RQI Partners to shift to a new standard of resuscitation care – competence,” said Russell Griffin, RQI Partners’ senior vice president of programs and marketing. “South Texas Health System has made high-quality CPR delivery a priority and joins our commitment to ensuring all healthcare providers in every community are competent and confident in their resuscitation skills to help save more lives from cardiac arrest.”
To learn more about the RQI program and the value it brings to hospitals, patient care and local communities, visit heart.org, www.laerdal.com and www.rqipartners.com.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
About Laerdal Medical
Laerdal is dedicated to our mission of helping save lives. Laerdal Medical is a world leader in healthcare education and resuscitation training that uses immersive technologies and data-centric insights to increase survival and improve healthcare quality. We empower our heroes/life savers, and healthcare workers, to help them save more lives. Improving the quality of care is part of our mission, to help save more lives. And we have established the goal to help save one million more lives. Every year. By 2030. However, we can’t do this alone. This is a shared goal of the Laerdal Group. A group of companies that develops healthcare-related solutions and programs focused on a common mission to help save lives, together with our Partners. The Laerdal Group is composed of Laerdal Medical, Laerdal Global Health, Million Lives Fund and Laerdal Foundation. Laerdal is a global company in 26 countries worldwide with its head office located in Stavanger, Norway. For more information, visit www.laerdal.com.
About RQI Partners LLC
RQI Partners LLC, a partnership between the American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical, positions the organizations to deliver innovative solutions that accelerate the impact of their lifesaving mission. The company blends the Association’s leadership in science and resuscitation education with Laerdal’s expertise in technology and implementation to deliver impactful and innovative resuscitation quality improvement programs. For more information, visit www.rqipartners.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system's South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan, and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart, and six freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
