From Bystanders to Lifesavers: Community Learns CPR, NARCAN
Mar 13, 2024
In recognition of February’s American Heart Month, William Newton Hospital hosted its second annual free community-wide CPR certification event February 8 through 10 at Baden Square with support from Cowley College Allied Health, Udall Fire, USD 465 Nursing Services, and Winfield Fire/EMS Department.
With four hands-on sessions over three days, 108 individuals learned the basics of adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), infant CPR, automated external defibrillator (AED) operation, and NARCAN® administration, a naloxone nasal spray approved as an over-the-counter opioid overdose treatment. Community members and healthcare providers received CPR certification from the American Heart Association.
“Many people think it is too hard to do CPR or that they will hurt a person doing CPR. I ask anyone, ‘Would you rather do nothing in an emergency or do something?’” says William Newton Hospital Interim ICU Manager and CPR Instructor Barbara Humpert, RN. “Feeling guilty after a medical emergency is a burden I do not wish on any person.”
Humpert has worked in different roles at the hospital for several decades and has helped educate hospital staff and the community in basic life support CPR.
Of the event, she reflected, “I was impressed with the number of people who showed up and cared enough to take the class. I saw healthcare workers, childcare providers, volunteers, retired people, teachers, and all ages (an eight-year-old young lady who was really impressive)!”
Darby, the young girl Humpert referenced, is the daughter of William Newton Hospital Emergency Department Manager Cassie Stein, BSN, RN, EMT, and accompanied her mother to the class.
Stein remarks, “CPR is easy enough my eight-year-old can do it. We want to empower everyone to learn these life-saving skills. When minutes matter, acting quickly can mean the difference between life and death.”
The event is among the programs implemented by the William Newton Healthcare Foundation’s Beats Go On community wellness initiative aimed at providing wellness education and fostering collaborative partnerships. Paula Radcliff, a local rancher and business owner who served for 27 years as an emergency medical technician at William Newton Hospital, is the Beats Go On co-chair alongside William Newton Hospital Clinical Education/Professional Development Coordinator Melanie Burnett, MSN, RN. Radcliff’s contributions enabled participants to get certified at no cost.
“Mel has done amazing work; I am impressed by how much she and the committee have been able to do and how much the community has benefitted through these Beats events,” says Radcliff.
Radcliff has embarked on a volunteer role to assist William Newton Hospital’s strategic plans to address emergency care through expanded programs, collaborative programming, and expansion of services and facilities. As one example, a highly collaborative Stop The Bleed program will be released this summer, in which a critical mass of community members will be trained on how to effectively control life-threatening bleeding.
“These examples exemplify the type of commitment rural communities need and greatly benefit from,” remarks Radcliff.
Humpert expressed gratitude to the event volunteers, instructors from the hospital, fire/EMS, and schools, and Radcliff as an underwriter.
“I am grateful to Paula for providing this opportunity. Our community is a safer place to live with all the people who cared enough to take the class.”
William Newton Hospital offers monthly CPR classes for healthcare providers and the public, which typically cost $30 for non-hospital employees. The next regular CPR certification class is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26. To reserve a seat, register online. For more information, contact Burnett at 620-222-6254.
Learn more about the Beats Go On community wellness initiative and other upcoming events.
Posted in Beats Go On , Emergency Care , Foundation , In The News on Mar 13, 2024