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Alleged CPR Training Scam Probe Is Worth Revisiting
In November 2005, the LA Times reported on an alleged CPR training scam where a trainer signed up to 37 nurses CPR re-certification cards without providing the necessary training.
The incident occurred at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles and stated that "Virginia A. Williams, a 23-year King/Drew veteran, was escorted off the hospital grounds Wednesday after health officials conducted a sting. Williams, who estimates that she has provided cardiopulmonary-resuscitation training to half of King/Drew's staff, has been put on unpaid administrative leave while the inquiry continues, officials said. She has denied the allegations."
I think it is good to revisit the seriousness of this incident due to the number of calls I receive from individuals seeking CPR training or re-certification but do not want to take the required hours or pay a reasonable charge for the 3.5 hour training.
I recently sat in on a course at Moorpark College for EMT training where I observed the instructor of the class reviewing the students certification cards that were required to be in force to register for the class. Out of the 40 or so students in the class, no less than a third of the cards were rejected as either being from trainers that were discredited or in one case a fraudulent card that was confiscated by the instructor because it was obvious an employer of one student attempted to duplicate acardiopulmonary-resuscitation training certification card. When compared to valid cards, it was obvious that the card was altered and was a made to look-a-like card that have flaws, even the logo for the American Heart Association was incorrect.
CPR
is serious business and is an industry that cries out for regulation.
You are reading this from someone who often wants less Government
regulations, but with something as serous as CPR and Basic First Aid,
this is an industry that needs to be looked at.
Recently I visited a website out of Florida that was advertising in my area via a local website offering American Heart Association certification for a price that American Heart advertises for its online class but failed to mention that the course required an additional hands on skill session with a local trainer. Individuals who might purchase the on line course from this provider would not know this unless they new the real course offered by the American Heart Association. I have since reported this provider to The American Heart Association for follow up.
As the article of the LA Times pointed out that CPR courses take time. The Times stated, "Basic cardiac life support certification indicates that a person has demonstrated an ability to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Such certification requires the completion of a four-hour class and the passing of a test, county health officials said. The credential is required for all employees who provide direct care to patients. A retest is needed every two years."
It appears in the investigation that " A preliminary review found hundreds of instances in which a card was issued but no instructor's signature could be found, county officials said." According to the LA Times article.
This writer would ask you to consider how important the training is and what price you are willing to pay?
Think about it!
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