The Five-4-Life Quality Improvement Program: Improving Frontline Nurses' Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Leadership and Team Management Skills.

Abstract

Poor leadership and teamwork in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are associated with poor patient outcomes. Frontline nursing staff frequently identify patients in cardiac arrest but may not have the initial leadership and teamwork skills to organize their initial rescue response. The Five-4-Life Quality Improvement (QI) program was pilot tested in a pediatric unit within a 510-bed acute care hospital in 2 phases: first, an educational program focused on leadership, team dynamics, and CPR skills, followed by sustaining interventions in the unit. Video recordings of 12 mock codes (4 pre-, 4 post-, 4 follow-up) were analyzed by trained observers. Descriptive statistical tests indicated a significant improvement in leadership, teamwork, and task management scores pre- and post-program, and sustained after the program. Implementing the Five-4-Life QI program is feasible in improving leadership, teamwork, and task management of first responding frontline nurses.