What are the state CPR guidelines for Missouri? – one of the primary questions CPR-obliged businesses and professionals ask themselves. The trick is that most of the guidelines and recommendations are the same in other states like Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, etc.
However, there can be some variations regarding the certification process, acknowledged and credible training centers, legal acts, legislation, etc. Additionally, there can be different guidelines for the operation of the emergency medical services (EMS) and other first responders.
In this piece, we’ll see why Missouri’s cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines differ from other states. Moreover, we’ll look at the main similarities in the legislation and professional requirements regarding the CPR procedure.
Who Should Be CPR-Certified in Missouri?
Similarly, to other states, such as Kentucky or Pennsylvania, Missouri imposes a strict set of measures regarding profession-related CPR certification. Aside from OSHA’s CPR standards for maritime, general industry, construction, logging, and electrical engineering businesses, there are many other professions with mandatory CPR certificates.Â
For instance, any business operating in the healthcare sector must certify all or part of the employees. On the other hand, anyone working in an aquatic center or nursing facility must be trained in performing proper first aid and CPR. Keep in mind that state institutions and regulatory body must align their policies with the official CPR guidelines.
Following are some of the jobs requiring CPR training and certificates in Missouri:
- Daycare facility workers, aides, nannies, babysitters, and early educational workers;
- Each employee in a dentist’s office (administrative workers, technicians, front desk workers, receptionists, etc.);
- Construction workers, manufacturers, and electricity workers;
- Diving and swimming instructors or anyone employed in an aquatic center;
- Firefighters, security workers, police officers, etc.
Each professional or enterprise working in these sectors can acquire their CPR certificates by visiting the training centers across Missouri. Nonetheless, not all training centers providing CPR certification courses are recognized by the state government and institutions.
CPR Certificates Recognized by the Missouri Authorities
Missouri recognizes and approves certification provided by organizations like the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross. The state also recognizes CPR certificates issued by the National Council of Safety.Â
Nonetheless, Missouri gives priority to CPR, First Aid, or Automated external defibrillator (AED) certifications by the AHA. Enterprises or individuals who want to certify themselves can obtain these certificates through three different training programs:
- Online learning
- In-person training
- Blended learning.
No matter what type of learning you choose – as long it’s a course licensed by AHA or the American Red Cross – your certificate will be recognized across the state. What’s more, you can order and purchase almost all the CPR training materials online. Some materials you can buy, download, and use for training purposes are:
- Manuals
- Guidelines
- Handbooks
- Reference cards
- Certification cards
- Certificate renewal materials, and so on.
As long as credible institutions provide them, they will be recognized by the state and the relevant authorities.
CPR Guidelines for Missouri High School Students
Similarly, to states like Kentucky or Pennsylvania, Missouri also obliges high schools to provide their students with regular CPR training. Bill 151 was passed and adopted in 2016 and became active in the student year 2017-2018.
It acknowledges the increased death toll due to cardiac arrest and the need for educating students in performing this life-saving procedure. As a mandatory act, Bill 151 requires all Missouri high schools to provide their students with a minimum of thirty minutes of CPR training and instructions.
Furthermore, the act obliges high schools to train their students in performing the Heimlich maneuver crucial in choking emergencies, as well as other crucial first aid protocols. It also requires the district’s health and physical education curriculum to include the CPR program.
CPR Guidelines for Missouri Nursing Students
According to the active laws of the state, every nursing student must obtain a CPR certificate. The main fields nursing students must educate themselves in are adult, child, and infant CPR, Basic Life Support (BLS) skills, and AED training. Their certificates will remain valid for two years before they’d have to renew them to continue their professional career.Â
The guidelines aren’t limited just to nursing students – they also extend to students at medical academies and universities. That’s why multiple universities across Missouri also provide AHA-certified CPR training programs.
CPR Guidelines For Missouri Childcare Providers
The state also recognizes the need for professional childcare providers to know how to perform child and infant CPR properly. As we all know, the child and infant CPR procedure consists of alternating chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The procedure is slightly different from the one performed on adults.
Nonetheless, every AHA and Red Cross-certified training center in Missouri can teach you a high-quality baby and child CPR procedure that can save lives. Missouri’s institutions recognize the following baby and child certifying institutions:
- The American Heart Association
- The American Academy of Pediatrics PedFACTs
- Emergency Care and Safety Institute
- American Trauma Event Management (ATEM)
There are many options to acquire a child and baby CPR certificate for yourself or your organization. All the training centers are licensed and certified by the mentioned organizations, so you can register, apply, and start learning online or in person.
The American Heart Association and the Red Cross have developed specialized courses in baby and child CPR performance. For instance, you can enroll in Babysitting and Childcare Classes through the American Red Cross or AHA’s Pediatric First Aid / CPR / AED training.
CPR Guidelines for Missouri Nursing Homes
Up to 2014, the requirements regarding CPR certification for nursing home and long-term care staff were unclear. However, the state imposed a regulation on mandatory certification of some nursing home staff for compliance with the nursing home certification requirements.Â
As we all know, cardiac arrest incidents in nursing homes are rising. Even though the outcomes are often unwanted, proper chest compressions, rescue breathing, and defibrillation can save many lives. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities can acquire CPR certificates for their employees from the same training centers as anyone else.
What Types Of Courses are Available in Missouri?
The state complies with the annually updated national CPR guidelines and offers all courses available across the US.
There are courses developed especially for organizations or teams and classes aiming to boost the skills and knowledge of individuals and bystanders. For example, training centers licensed by the American Red Cross can offer you all types of courses:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- BLS/CPR for Healthcare Workers
- Babysitting and Childcare
- Lifeguarding classes
- Nurse Assistant Training
- Instructor Training
- CPR for Aquatics
- Workplace Safety Courses, etc.
On the other hand, AHA or training centers certified by the AHA can provide you or your organization with the same course types but with slight modifications. Some of the more popular ones are:
- The HeartSaver Courses: First Aid / CPR / AED, Pediatric First Aid / CPR / AED, Advanced Pediatric Life Support, etc.
- Courses for Medical Professionals: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Life Support, and so on.
Final Words
What are the state CPR guidelines for Missouri? Missouri has a developed CPR policy with recommendations that affect all healthcare and medical workers, such as dentist employees, childcare providers, nursing students, etc. The state also hosts numerous training centers providing AHA and Red Cross-certified courses recognized throughout the whole country.
Besides CPR certification for essential workers, Missouri also extends CPR training to high school students – a graduation prerequisite. Nursing home employees also must receive CPR training, as cardiac arrest cases have been rising.
In the future, we can expect regular updates on the state guidelines in compliance with the updates and changes in the guidelines of AHA and other relevant institutions.