BLS Course Overview RevisedDec2022

Summary

The Health Emergency Management Bureau, in collaboration with recognized partners, delivers Basic Life Support (BLS) training to healthcare providers and community members, aiming to ensure at least one trained individual per household. The program, grounded in national laws and international guidelines, covers essential CPR, AED use, and emergency airway management. Training includes cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains, with both online didactic sessions and face-to-face skills practice. Emphasis is placed on infection control, participant safety, and strict adherence to protocols. Completion requires passing exams, skills demonstrations, and attitude evaluation, culminating in certification and BLS identification issuance.

Takeaways

• 🩺 BLS training is organized by the Health Emergency Management Bureau in collaboration with the Philippine Red Cross, Philippine Heart Association, and American Heart Association to standardize life-saving skills.
• 🏠 The ultimate goal of BLS training is to have at least one trained member in every household to improve emergency response and save lives.
• 📜 The training is backed by legal mandates including DOH Administrative Orders, Department Memoranda, and Republic Act No. 10871 for BLS in schools.
• 👩‍⚕️ Training is categorized for Healthcare Providers (medical and allied health professionals) and Lay Rescuers (non-medical personnel capable of performing BLS skills).
• 🎯 General objectives are to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitude to sustain life and minimize the consequences of respiratory or cardiac emergencies.
• 📚 Training covers three domains: cognitive (theory), psychomotor (hands-on skills), and affective (attitude, punctuality, cooperation).
• 💻 Online BLS training focuses on the didactic/theory portion, while face-to-face sessions are required for practical skills and certification.
• 🧴 Strict infection control protocols are enforced, including PPE use, handwashing, and equipment sanitation, especially during COVID-19.
• ⏱️ Participants must observe house rules such as punctuality, proper attire, no distractions, and active participation to ensure safety and effective learning.
• ✅ Evaluation includes 30% written examination, 60% skills demonstration, and 10% attitude, with certification and BLS ID issued upon successful completion.
• 🔄 Refresher courses and skill updates are required every six months, with BLS ID renewal every two years to maintain competency.
• 📝 Training materials include workbooks, skills sheets, CPR masks, and electronic resources for both online and face-to-face sessions.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the Basic Life Support (BLS) training program?

The primary goal is to train health workers and at least one member of each household in CPR and BLS to ensure timely and effective emergency response, ultimately saving more lives.

Which organizations collaborated to set the standards for BLS training in the Philippines?

The Health Emergency Management Bureau collaborated with the Philippine Red Cross, Philippine Heart Association, and American Heart Association to set BLS training standards.

What legal mandates require BLS training in the Philippines?

Key mandates include DOH Administrative Order No. 155 (2004), Department Memorandum No. 2005-0056, Administrative Order No. 2018-001, Republic Act No. 10871, and interim guidelines issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who are considered healthcare providers eligible for BLS training?

Healthcare providers include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical technologists, midwives, nutritionists, dietitians, and other medical allied professionals.

Who can be trained as lay rescuers, and what are the requirements?

Lay rescuers are non-medical personnel. They can be trained if they understand the medium of instruction and are physically able to perform BLS skills.

What are the three domains of learning covered in BLS training?

The three domains are: cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (attitude and observable behavior).

How are BLS participants evaluated and graded?

Evaluation consists of written examination (30%), skills demonstration (60%), and attitude/behavior (10%). Passing these allows issuance of the certificate of completion and BLS identification card.

What are the health and safety protocols during BLS training, especially in the context of COVID-19?

Protocols include PPE usage, face masks and gloves, temperature checks, monitoring symptoms, handwashing before/after techniques, sanitizing equipment, and maintaining social distancing during sessions.

What are the types of BLS training courses offered?

BLS courses include basic training for healthcare providers, basic training for lay rescuers, training of facilitators (ToF), and refresher courses to maintain competency.

What is the purpose of the BLS refresher course?

Refresher courses maintain up-to-date skills, ensure competency renewal, and are required every six months to extend the validity of BLS identification cards for two years.

Which facilities are authorized to issue BLS certificates and identification cards?

Authorized issuers include the Health Emergency Management Bureau, Centers for Health Development, Ministry of Health Bangsamoro Administrative Region for Muslim Mindanao, and Department of Health hospitals.

What materials are provided to participants in online vs face-to-face BLS training?

Face-to-face participants receive a handbook/workbook, skill sheets, exam sheets, notebook, CPR mask, USB with presentations, and ID card. Online participants receive electronic copies of the handbook/workbook and skill sheets, with evaluations conducted online.