1. Introduction

An-Najah Life Support Training Center (NLSTC), a designated American Heart Association (AHA) International Training Center (ITC), is committed to delivering high-quality Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) education through Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) courses. This document outlines the rigorous Quality Assurance (QA) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan to ensure the effective, safe, and standardized delivery of all AHA programs, fully aligned with the Program Administration Manual (PAM) – International Version.

2. Instructor Monitoring and Development

• Instructor Onboarding & Renewal: All instructors complete AHA-approved Instructor Courses, orientation, and mentoring. Instructors are required to maintain current certification and renew every two years.
• Ongoing Monitoring: At least one course per instructor per year is monitored by TCC or delegated faculty using standardized AHA evaluation checklists.
• Performance Evaluation:

  • Criteria include teaching effectiveness, adherence to course agendas, use of AHA materials, student interaction, and test administration.

  • Any deficiencies are addressed with a remediation plan and follow-up evaluations.

• Development Opportunities:
  • Instructors are encouraged to attend updates, refreshers, and skills workshops.
  • Updates are mandatory following major AHA Guidelines changes.

3. Course Delivery Oversight

• All BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses are:

  • Delivered per current AHA course guidelines and curricula.

  • Taught using only AHA-developed materials (videos, manuals, checklists).

  • Conducted with the appropriate instructor-to-student and manikin-to-student ratios.

• Each course includes:

  • Pre-course preparation verification.

  • Use of the latest edition of provider manuals.

  • Knowledge checks, skills stations, and required evaluations.

4. Student Assessment and Certification

• Written exams and skills evaluations are administered per AHA standards.
• Passing score for written exams is ≥ 84%, and skills must be fully demonstrated and documented.
• Certification (eCard) is issued only after successful completion of all components.
• Student course evaluation surveys are administered and analyzed after each course.

5. Use of Approved Equipment and Facility Readiness

• All equipment complies with AHA standards (feedback manikins, AED trainers, defibrillators).
• Equipment undergoes regular inspection, cleaning, and replacement as needed.
• Inventory is maintained and documented with routine calibration and functionality logs.

6. Secure Record-keeping and Data Management

• NLSTC maintains records of:

  • Course rosters, instructor assignments, exam scores, and feedback forms.

• Records are securely stored for at least 3 years in accordance with AHA requirements.
• Access to data is restricted to authorized personnel via password-protected digital systems and locked physical storage.

7. Complaint and Incident Management

• NLSTC has a clear Dispute Resolution Policy. Complaints from students or instructors are:

  • Logged and acknowledged within 48 hours.

  • Investigated promptly with documentation of findings and actions taken.

• TCC will communicate any reportable incidents to the AHA regional office as required.

8. Alignment and Site Oversight

• NLSTC currently does not operate with aligned sites.
• If future sites are added, the same QA and CQI protocols will apply.
• TCC will oversee alignment compliance with all AHA standards, including site visits and instructor supervision.

9. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Process

• CQI Committee Composition:

  • Training Center Coordinator (TCC)

  • Lead Instructors

  • Equipment Manager

  • QA Advisor

• Quarterly CQI Meetings to review:
  • Training data
  • Student outcomes and feedback
  • Instructor performance
  • Equipment needs
• Annual Internal Audit to ensure:
  • 100% course compliance with AHA standards
  • Full instructor credentialing
  • Consistency in certification practices

10. Adherence to AHA Policies

NLSTC affirms its full adherence to the following AHA standards:

• Use only current and official AHA materials (no edits or translations).
• Submit training reports twice per year.
• Maintain exam and eCard security.
• Respect all intellectual property and copyrights.
• Participate in required AHA updates, audits, and reviews.
• Provide AHA-certified textbooks to all students before, during, and after training.

11. Equipment Management and Safety Assurance

• Inventory tracked and reviewed.
• Backup systems in place.
• Safety protocols followed in equipment handling.

12. Risk Management and Legal Compliance

• All training is legal and ethical under national regulations.
• Liability insurance is maintained.

13. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Courses are accessible and publicized.
• Stakeholder feedback collected and acted upon.

14. Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• eLearning options and simulations enhanced.
• Involvement in research and educational improvement initiatives.

Summary

An-Najah Life Support Training Center is fully dedicated to providing world-class ECC education. This Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement Plan is central to ensuring compliance with AHA standards and maintaining our role as a trusted and effective International Training Center. We are committed to safety, professionalism, and continuous excellence in all our life-saving education programs.