The future of resuscitation education.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to provide an update for critical care clinicians and providers on the recent developments in patient and healthcare professional (HCP) resuscitation education.

RECENT FINDINGS

The family members of patients at high-risk of cardiac arrest need to be provided with access to basic life support (BLS) training. Many low-cost methods are now available to provide BLS training beyond attending a traditional BLS instructor-led cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) class. Hybrid-blended learning formats provide new opportunities to receive individualized CPR-training in a flexible and convenient format. HCPs' participation in accredited advanced life support courses improves patient outcomes. Monitoring HCPs exposure to resuscitation and supplementing with frequent simulation is recommended. Training should include human factors and nontechnical skills. Volunteering for first responder programs when off-duty provides a great opportunity for HCP's to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival and increase exposure to resuscitation.

SUMMARY

Frequent resuscitation education and training is critical to improving cardiac arrest patient outcomes. Recent evidence shows the effectiveness of technological developments to improve access to training and outcomes.