Incoming GME residents complete HeartCode training 

You gotta have heart — and practice. 

UAB Clinical Simulation recently hosted more than 80 incoming residents from UAB’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) program for their initial HeartCode assessment in partnership with the Heersink School of Medicine GME Office. 

Offered to the learners over the course of three days, this annual event is held in partnership with the GME team to provide the incoming residents with their Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications. 

According to incoming resident Brett Cooke, the experience proved to be “incredibly beneficial.” 

“It allowed me to learn the fundamentals of BLS/ACLS and put them into practice with real-time feedback provided,” he said. “When I am put into the position to use these skills with patients, I will feel much more confident.”

UAB Clinical Simulation offers HeartCode training through a partnership with the Center for Nursing Excellence (CNE) and HSF Training. The program was implemented at UAB in 2016 and requires learners to first complete an online, computer-based module, which can be done remotely, before taking an in-person skills test with voice-assisted manikins in one of UAB Medicine’s numerous HeartCode labs, located throughout UAB Hospital and UAB Highlands.

“I enjoyed working with UAB Clinical Simulation because the experience provided me with the opportunity to practice very important skills in a safe and supportive environment,” Cooke said. 

To learn more about HeartCode and how you can participate, visit here. 

UAB Medicine’s Clinical Simulation program offers opportunities for individuals and teams across UAB Medicine and beyond to practice before they deliver care. We encourage all who provide and support patient care to “SimFirst.” Together, we can put our patients’ safety first.