NORTH COAST EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Policy # 4406
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Subject: Certification/Accreditation
Early Defibrillation Skills Proficiency Demonstration
Associated Policies: 3303, 3304, 3306, 3307, 4405, 4407, 5205
I. Authority and Reference (incorporated herein by reference)
A. Division 2.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
B. California Code of Regulations, Title 22.
C. North Coast Emergency Medical Services Policies and Procedures.
II. Purpose
To establish regional policy and procedure for demonstration, documentation and verification of early defibrillation skills proficiency for the maintenance of defibrillation accreditation, consistent with California state regulations.
III. Policy
Skills Proficiency Demonstration
A. The reporting period begins on the date of early defibrillation (re)accreditation.
B. Individuals shall demonstrate early defibrillation skills proficiency at intervals outlined in the California Code of Regulations.
1. EMT-I personnel: Skills proficiency demonstration is required every six months. EMT-Is who are North Coast EMS-approved Evaluators of skills proficiency demonstration may instead evaluate at least two (2) skills proficiency demonstrations every six (6) months, documented by copies of those skills sheets (including both pages).
2. First responder and first aid certified personnel: Skills proficiency demonstration is required every month. The monthly demonstration of skills may be reduced to a quarterly demonstration of skills if the accredited individual has:
(a) written approval from the accredited individual’s Base Hospital Medical Director; and
(b) written approval of the North Coast EMS Medical Director.
C. Individuals shall demonstrate proficiency in the following skills:
1. Basic patient assessment.
2. Proper basic life support (BLS) technique.
3. Proper pad placement.
4. Knowledge of local protocols.
5. Safe and efficient use of automated defibrillator.
6. Post defibrillation patient care.
D. Copies of the completed North Coast EMS Early Defibrillation Skills Proficiency Demonstration forms shall be submitted to North Coast EMS at the time of reaccreditation as proof of meeting this requirement.
E. If the Evaluator witnesses an uncorrectable deficiency during the skills demonstration, the North Coast EMS Medical Director should be advised of the incident in writing, including details.
F. Approval for monthly, quarterly or semi-annual demonstration of early defibrillation skills may be rescinded by the Base Hospital Medical Director or the North Coast EMS Medical Director if in his/her judgment the individual needs to demonstrate proficiency more frequently.
G. All levels of early defibrillation accredited individuals must also attend base hospital Field Care Audit(s), periodic BLS training session(s) and/or structured clinical experience (CPR for the Health Care Professional recertification would meet this requirement, documented by a copy of the CPR card) in addition to meeting the reaccreditation and recertification requirements
IV. Procedure
A Early defibrillation skills proficiency must be demonstrated to and evaluated by a North Coast EMS-approved Evaluator.
B. To be accepted as meeting the early defibrillation reaccreditation requirements, skills proficiency shall be demonstrated by the last day of each reporting period interval.
C. Demonstration of skills proficiency shall be documented on the North Coast EMS Early Defibrillation Skills Proficiency Demonstration form.
D. Documentation of skills proficiency demonstration shall include the date of skills demonstration, Evaluator’s initials, and a Pass or Fail score for each demonstration.
E. Early defibrillation skills may be demonstrated through field or clinical patient contact(s), or the use of mannequins. Verbalization alone is insufficient. A copy of the First Responder Incident Report or Patient Care Report, which clearly indicates that early defibrillation was utilized and by whom, shall be submitted at time of reaccreditation as proof of actual patient contact.
V. Responsibilities
A. It is the responsibility of the North Coast EMS-approved Evaluator to assure that the early defibrillation skills proficiency demonstration is consistent with the standard of care, California state laws and regulations, and North Coast EMS Policies and Procedures.
B. It is the responsibility of the early defibrillation accreditation provider to properly demonstrate skills proficiency as described herein.
C. It is the responsibility of the North Coast EMS-approved early defibrillation service agency to maintain records of affiliated early defibrillation accreditation provider’s skills proficiency demonstrations for a period of at least four (4) years.
D. It is the responsibility of the early defibrillation accreditation provider to submit to North Coast EMS documentation of compliance with this policy when requesting reaccreditation.
E. North Coast EMS may periodically audit the early defibrillation service agency to review skills proficiency demonstration records.
Approved:____________________________________________ Date:__________________
Approved as to Form:___________________________________ Date:__________________