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Standardising paediatric resuscitation training in N ew S outh W ales, A ustralia: RESUS 4 KIDS
Author(s) -
O'Leary Fenton,
Allwood Margaret,
McGarvey Kathryn,
Howse Julie,
Fahy Karyn
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.12487
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiorespiratory arrest , nursing , medical education , health care , resuscitation , emergency medicine , anesthesia , economics , economic growth
Aim A key competency for all health‐care workers ( HCWs ) who care for children is the ability to respond to a child in respiratory or cardiorespiratory arrest. However, evidence suggests that medical and nursing staff may not have the knowledge and clinical skills to respond to these emergencies. The aim of this project was to create a standardised, evidence‐based, paediatric life support course that would be available free to all HCWs in N ew S outh W ales ( NSW ), including NSW A mbulance. Methods A paediatric life support course was designed along current education principles. It used e‐learning as pre‐learning and a face‐to‐face short practical course, combining team work and communication with practical paediatric resuscitation skills training. The programme was designed to empower local trainers to deliver a standardised course to local participants. Results A total of 14 000 participants have completed the mandatory e‐learning component, and over 8600 participants have completed the short practical course, across all NSW Local Health Districts, including NSW Ambulance. RESUS 4 KIDS has also been adopted by the universities of S ydney and N ewcastle undergraduate medical and nursing programmes. Outside of NSW and ACT , over 400 participants have completed the course in facilities in Q ueensland, S outh A ustralia, V ictoria and the N orthern T erritory. Conclusion We have developed a course that is available, at no cost to individuals or facilities, to all HCWs in NSW , including students, paramedics and general practitioners. We would encourage all other jurisdictions to consider adopting the programme.