FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mercy Health Muskegon Awarded RQI Lighthouse Designation for Commitment to Improving Cardiac Arrest Survival

MUSKEGON, Mich., (August 28, 2020) – Mercy Health Muskegon recognizes the importance of high-quality CPR competence, performance, and delivery in saving more lives. That’s why the Resuscitation Quality Improvement^® program (RQI^®), co-developed by the American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical and delivered by RQI Partners, was implemented at Mercy Health Muskegon in July 2017 to help the hospital’s clinical staff achieve sustained mastery of high-quality CPR skills and competence, resulting in improved patient outcomes.

Today, Mercy Health Muskegon was recognized as an RQI Lighthouse Organization, joining an exclusive group of hospitals from around the country that demonstrate resuscitation best practices using the RQI program.

This recognition is awarded to participating RQI hospitals that advocate for quality and a culture of resuscitation excellence and serve as a beacon to other organizations looking to improve their resuscitation programs and patient outcomes. With a reputation for superior quality and efficient processes, RQI Lighthouse Organizations align with the RQI mission to eliminate preventable death from sudden cardiac arrest.

“Mercy Health Muskegon is committed to adopting best practices and continually improving resuscitation quality that promotes positive patient outcomes,” said Linda Dunmore, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CPHQ, CHSP, senior director of Clinical Services at Mercy Health Muskegon. “Our clinicians are skilled in the latest practices in resuscitation, maintaining competency on a quarterly basis at the RQI manikin station, helping our patients have a greater chance of survival and recovery from cardiac arrest. This recognition is a testament to the work and the dedication of our entire clinical team.”

It is estimated that 292,000 in-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States, with survival rates at less than 26%. Patients who suffer a cardiac arrest must receive the highest quality CPR possible, which is known to be the cornerstone for survival; however, certain studies show CPR skills can decay within three to six months following this training. Mercy Health Muskegon’s adoption of RQI 2020 prepares their clinical providers to deliver high-quality CPR and verify competence in Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support through simulated skills sessions and eLearning simulations.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mercy Health Muskegon as part of the inaugural RQI Lighthouse Class of 2020,” Tina Keeler, RQI Partners’ impact manager, stated. “The Mercy Health Muskegon team has done an exemplary job of implementing the program and recently published their findings on staff performance improvement and confidence in responding to a resuscitation event. This illustrates the staff’s commitment to making high-quality CPR a priority organization-wide and furthering our mission to improve patient care and help save more lives.”

To learn more about the RQI program and the value it brings to hospitals, patient care and communities at-large, visit www.rqipartners.com.

About Mercy Health

Mercy Health is a regional, multi-campus, Catholic health care system serving West Michigan and the lakeshore with four hospital campuses, more than 90 physician offices, more than 1,300 medical staff physicians, more than 700 hospital beds and more than 9,000 colleagues, and hospice, home health and long-term care service offerings. Mercy Health Physician Partners, our multi-specialty medical group, employs more than 700 physicians and advanced practice professionals in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland and the lakeshore. Mercy Health has annual operating revenues of about $1.4 billion and returns about $80 million to its communities annually through charity care and community benefit programs. Mercy Health, a member of Trinity Health, is committed to being a trusted health partner for life, transforming the communities we serve, by providing high-quality care that is the most accessible, compassionate and personalized in West Michigan. Visit us at MercyHealth.com.