Having staff trained in first aid and CPR can be the difference between life and death. Approximately 400,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest, so the chances that someone in your facility with suffering from this is likely. Training your staff on these principles of live-saving techniques increases the comfort of your residents with them knowing there are individuals who can provide basic life-saving measures in the event of an emergency. Check out the following regulations which mandate the training of staff in first aid and CPR issued by Virginia DOSS:
22VAC40-73-260. First aid and CPR certification.
- First aid.
- Each direct care staff member shall maintain current certification in first aid from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council, American Safety and Health Institute, community college, hospital, volunteer rescue squad, or fire department. The certification must either be in adult first aid or include adult first aid. To be considered current, first aid certification from community colleges, hospitals, volunteer rescue squads, or fire departments shall have been issued within the past three years.
- Each direct care staff member who does not have current certification in first aid as specified in subdivision 1 of this subsection shall receive certification in first aid within 60 days of employment.
- A direct care staff member who is a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or currently certified emergency medical technician, first responder, or paramedic does not have to meet the requirements of subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection.
- In each building, there shall either be (i) at least one staff person at all times who has current certification in first aid that meets the specifications of this section; or (ii) an on-duty registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or currently certified emergency medical technician, first responder, or paramedic.
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- There shall be at least one staff person in each building at all times who has current certification in CPR from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council, or American Safety and Health Institute, or who has current CPR certification issued within the past two years by a community college, hospital, volunteer rescue squad, or fire department. The certification must either be in adult CPR or include adult CPR.
- In facilities licensed for over 100 residents, at least one additional staff person who meets the requirements of subdivision 1 of this subsection shall be available for every 100 residents, or portion thereof. More staff persons who meet the requirements in subdivision 1 of this subsection shall be available if necessary to ensure quick access to residents in the event of the need for CPR.
- A listing of all staff who have current certification in first aid or CPR, in conformance with subsections A and B of this section, shall be posted in the facility so that the information is readily available to all staff at all times. The listing must indicate by staff person whether the certification is in first aid or CPR or both and must be kept up to date.
- A staff person with current certification in first aid and CPR shall be present for the duration of facility-sponsored activities off the facility premises, when facility staff are responsible for oversight of one or more residents during the activity
Top Takeaways:
- There shall be at least one staff person in each building at all times who has current certification in CPR from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council, or American Safety and Health Institute, or who has current CPR certification issued within the past two years by a community college, hospital, volunteer rescue squad, or fire department. The certification must either be in adult CPR or include adult CPR.
Every single care team member must have a CPR certification that was issued within the past two years. You need to have a system in place for tracking when a CPR certification needs to be updated. When the survey team reviews your employee file, they will be looking for this.
- A staff person with current certification in first aid and CPR shall be present for the duration of facility-sponsored activities off the facility premises, when facility staff are responsible for oversight of one or more residents during the activity
If you are taking residents off your community property for any type of activity you must have someone chaperoning that meets the current stipulation for CPR certification and first aid training.