RQI: A Better Way To Learn CPR and Save Lives

When there’s a cardiac arrest emergency, CPR is the patient’s last chance for survival. That’s why patients suffering a cardiac arrest must receive the highest quality CPR possible—and why we’ve been gradually rolling out a better way to learn CPR across our system.

Effective Saturday, July 1, Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) will launch at Carilion Medical Center and CRBH. This is the last of our system’s inpatient rollout and affects more than 4,000 staff members.

RQI is a blended education co-developed by the American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical that uses online learning modules and skills sessions to renew life support education certifications in Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support each quarter, instead of every two years.

With RQI, you learn in 20 minute modules, so you no longer have to devote an entire day in class. That means you can complete your life support education renewal in a fraction of the time, without having to travel outside of your facility! It’s easier for you to coordinate and takes less time away from your patients.

And because RQI gives you more frequent opportunities to learn and practice, you have an increased confidence to apply CPR successfully and have better lifesaving outcomes.

How RQI Works

• When it's time for your life support certification renewal, you will be assigned the online module for RQI through Cornerstone and will use RQI to renew your certification.
• RQI education includes two parts: a skills session with a real-time RQI simulation station, and an online e-learning portion.
• The online cognitive segment will ask you to apply your knowledge of treating a patient in respiratory and/or cardiac arrest.
• The RQI simulation station will provide real-time audio and visual feedback through both ventilations and compressions on an adult and infant manikin. At the end, you will receive a score and feedback report on your hand placement, rate, recoil, chest compression fraction, depth of compressions and ventilation feedback.  
• Once you successfully complete the RQI course, you will receive an eCredential that verifies you have demonstrated competence in the gold standard of High-Quality CPR mastery by the American Heart Association.
• RQI courses can be completed 24/7 using Cornerstone and the simulation stations located in your facility. * Refer to the RQI Cornerstone guide for information on simulation station locations at each facility.
• On-site support to answer questions and offer extra practice time is also available, and 1:1 sessions with an educator can be scheduled any time. 

"I am thrilled that we can offer this advanced resuscitation program that simplifies the recertification process and impacts patient care in such an amazing way," says Jacqueline DeMarco, manager, HR Education and Organizational Development. "Carilion's commitment to safety and improving patient outcomes means that you will now receive convenient, efficient and lifesaving hands-on skills practice each quarter. It's a win-win for our patients and staff."

The Education and Organizational Development hub has more information on classes and new certifications, as well as frequently asked questions on RQI.

If you have questions, contact Jacqueline DeMarco, Education and Organizational Development, at jademarco@carilionclinic.org.

*Simulation stations are located on-site at hospitals and facilities that have rolled out RQI. Ambulatory sites will implement RQI in 2024.