PERU - Adoption and consistent use of an innovative CPR training program has earned Illinois Valley Community Hospital official designation as an RQI Lighthouse Organization, joining IVCH with a group of hospitals from around the country that have demonstrated resuscitation best practices using the RQI program.

IVCH was the first hospital in Illinois to use the RQI system to train nurses and other clinical providers in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The hospital implemented the system, which is endorsed by the American Heart Association, four years ago. 

“With RQI, our staff practices hands-on CPR skills with a manikin every three months through a system that provides live feedback. This allows staff to provide the best quality CPR in an emergent situation,” said nurse educator Ashley Freitag. “IVCH is honored to be at the leading edge in CPR certification while bringing the most up-to-date CPR training to our providers and staff.”

IVCH officials say RQI training techniques have helped the hospital’s clinical staff achieve sustained mastery of high-quality CPR skills and competence, resulting in improved patient outcomes. RQI Lighthouse Organizations align with the RQI mission to eliminate preventable death from sudden cardiac arrest.

RQI training was developed by the AHA and Laerdal Medical, a leading provider of products and services for simulation, airway management, basic and advanced life support, patient care, self-directed learning and medical education.