Today in Bari two CME courses for the PHASE Project, financed by the Cooperation Programme between Italy, Albania and Montenegro, of which the Policlinico di Bari is the lead partner.

“Thanks to the PHASE project, we will try to make telemedicine as widespread as possible in order to better manage patients with cardiological chronicity, neurodegenerative diseases or in cardiological emergency conditions. Regarding the latter condition, today you will be able to learn how to react to an emergency in case of cardiac arrest by means of a chain of survival and the use of Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)." With these words Carlo D'Agostino - Director UOC Cardiology Hospital Policlinico di Bari and scientific head of the PHASE project - opened this morning the first theoretical and practical course planned in Italy as part of the PHASE Project, financed by the Cooperation Programme between Italy, Albania and Montenegro, and led by the Policlinico di Bari.

The two CME courses dedicated to healthcare personnel on the prevention of 'sudden death' and the use of the external defibrillator (BLS-D) were held at the Fiera del Levante (Pavilion 152) in Bari.

The courses were administered in cooperation with the Gruppo di Intervento di Emergenze Cardiologiche (Cardiological Emergency Intervention Group), an accredited organisation in the sector. The initiatives included a theoretical lesson followed by practical training on a mannequin and a final assessment with skills and multiple-choice quizzes.

The trainees were able to learn how to perform high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to use a defibrillator (AED) and how to help an adult, child or infant who is choking. Thus, the learners acquired theoretical knowledge, practical skills and behavioural patterns according to international guidelines.

The initiative involved a cardiology specialist and five BLS-D certified instructors. At the end of the course, a certificate of attendance and a certificate of 'BLS-D Performer' were issued to the applicants who passed the course.