Best Practices

Teaching ABC of Lifesaving Skills to become Pranadathas
Objectives
1. To equip all staff members, nurses, students and health care providers (HCPs) with the technique of Basic Life Support (BLS)
2. To start American Heart Association (AHA) accredited Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training center in MRIMS
3. To implement Code Blue Training
4. To introduce lifesaving skills to undergraduates from 1st year itself

Context
Training in lifesaving techniques is mandatory for HCPs- nursing staff and undergraduates. Junior residents require exposure to ACLS training. In addition to HCPs, laypeople including ayammas, attenders, technicians and drivers etc also need BLS training.

Practice
Inspired by this vision, the Institute developed a specialized central simulation lab featuring mannequins, surgical trainers and an audiovisual system.

1.BLS:
Training all students, nurses, teaching and non-teaching staff in the central simulation lab, across the institute on BLS was an enormous undertaking. It began in 2022. A sense of pride and satisfaction was evident in all participants and trainers. Since then, BLS workshops have established themselves as a regular event.

2.AHA accredited BLS/ACLS:
The institute has been organizing AHA-accredited BLS and ACLS workshops since January 2024, after its AHA-accreditation. A team of AHA-ACLS instructors was created. Training is being given to postgraduates, undergraduates, nursing staff and faculty.

3.Code Blue Training:
Code blue training is on the top of our training list. In the Instructor-led course, participants take part in simulated clinical scenarios and learning stations. It is also provided to nursing professionals and undergraduates.

4.Introduction to lifesaving skills to students and staff:
"Lifesaving skills" workshops were added to the undergraduate schedule. An orientation program for skill labs is offered to first-year students in foundation course. Adult CPR, IV Cannulation Procedure, First Aid, Basic Life Skills are among the courses they take. Interns receive hands-on training in airway management, basic life skills, code blue training, and normal labour.
Postgraduates participate in workshops in ACLS, Neonatal Resuscitation Programs, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Essentials of Ventilation, Basic Laparoscopic Skills, Suturing and Knotting.
Additionally, there have been many faculty development programs focused on lifesaving techniques.

5.AAFP:
AAFP accredited basic and advanced life support in obstetrics (BLSO and ALSO) have been introduced to postgraduates of obstetrics, interns and nursing staff.

Evidence of Success
After training, each participant is subjected to theoretical and practical evaluation following which they are awarded certificates. In every workshop, pre-test, post-test and feedback forms were gathered. There has been a noticeable change in the way critical care units function.

Problems encountered and Resources required
• Regular updating of clinical skill lab
• Posting the students without affecting regular work
• Recruiting skilled trainers

Teaching ABC of Lifesaving Skills to become ‘Pranadathas’ (Lifesaving skills workshops)