Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for hospital attending physicians

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals now recommends that all medical staff members participate in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and be so qualified. At the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a program was established utilizing a modification of the American Heart Association (AHA) basic cardiac life support training course. Only 30 of 144 full-time attending physicians (21%) had been trained in CPR according to AHA standards prior to inception of the program. Eleven of 12 attendings "trained in CPR" previously but not according to AHA standards were unable to pass the written or practical examinations and required additional formal training. During a 12-month period, 144 full-time attending physicians were trained with an average investment of four hours per physician. Economic cost to the institution in faculty time was estimated at $12,000.