HealthStream currently has more than 3,000 customers that provide HeartCode BLS ( Basic Life Support ) training for their staff . The HeartCode program can transform staff members ’ CPR skills , double resuscitation success rates , and save lives . The Voice-Assisted Mankins ( VAMs ), which are part of HeartCode Hands-On Sessions , can bring an entirely new level of expertise to an organization and provide measurable consistency of skill teaching while also ensuring the retention of skills . The Resuscitation Journal found in a study that using VAMs for CPR training increased correct inflation rates by 64 % and increased correct depth and performance of compressions to 92 %. That is a staggering improvement over traditional classroom instruction and allows for a much higher level of care to patients . VAMs also have been proven to provide important psychomotor learning required for performing well under the stress of live code situation .
Our customers recognize the value in training staff on the Voice-Assisted Manikins to ensure that standardized quality CPR is being learned . They often ask how their organization can assist staff with physical limitations or disabilities to be successful in the completion of BLS or ACLS Hands-On Sessions using VAMs . TriHealth ( Cincinnati , OH ) has developed a very successful HeartCode BLS Program . They have several staff with disability or physical challenges that are required to maintain BLS certifications . Over the past few years they have worked to develop best practices to support staff to successfully complete Basic Life Support certification on the VAMs . Here are a few of our most common tips :
ARTHRITIS IN HANDS / WRIST OR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME :
1 . Take a washcloth and fold it 3-4 times . Once the employee verbalizes accurate hand placement , place the washcloth on the manikin chest with paper tape . Have the employee place the palm of his / her hand on the washcloth which does two things : ( 1 ) Cushions the surface of the chest , and ( 2 ) Elevates the angle of the wrist / hand . Employees state over and over again that this really helps them . Inform the employee that in a real situation , he / she could grab any similar item to place under the hand ( corner of a towel , scrub jacket , draw sheet ), and compressions are still effective .
2 . If an employee wears a wrist brace or requires extra support , he / she may want to wear the brace while performing compressions . Employees think they have to remove the brace , but it is not necessary .
3 . Adult Manikin - When clasping hands , do not intertwine fingers . Instead , place dominate hand on bottom and angle hand inward so it feels more natural . Take non-dominant hand and encircle thumb and index finger around dominate wrist . The palm of top hand should be centered over the back of bottom hand . The hands should cover the exact same space ( looks like one hand with fingers extended over either top side … your hands should resemble wings ).
4 . Infant manikin - If fingers are too painful or weak to do compressions , the pad of the thumb is the same width of the pad of two fingers . Place the pad of thumb on sternum at nipple line and just below ( same placement as two fingers ). Extremely important to not put your fingers in a fist – fingers should be extended .
5 . Infant manikin - You can take the second hand and hold the hand you are using to perform compressions . This way you have the strength of two hands , which will ease discomfort and increase strength promoting ability to perform adequate depth of compressions .
6 . Ventilations - For both Adult and Infant , use the Bag-Valve-Mask ( BVM ) and hold the bag under the arm or at the hip and press against your body with your forearm to deliver air .
18 HealthStream E-Book : High-Quality CPR : Breathing New Life into Your Training Program