Project Planning & Execution Flashcards

A regional ECC coalition wants to reduce time-to-defibrillation in sports venues. Which project element has the GREATEST impact on achieving this goal?

Answer: Training venue staff in CPR/AED use AND ensuring AEDs are physically accessible within a 90-second retrieval radius

Both trained responders and physically accessible AEDs are required — either element alone is insufficient to reliably reduce time-to-defibrillation.

An ECC project manager is developing a budget for a new hospital simulation lab. Which cost category is most likely to be UNDERESTIMATED by first-time planners?

Answer: Ongoing maintenance, manikin consumables, and instructor time required to run scenarios

Recurring operational costs — including consumables, equipment servicing, and instructor hours — consistently exceed initial purchase costs over the life of a simulation program.

When selecting a vendor for CPR training equipment, which factor should be weighted MOST heavily for a large health system?

Answer: AHA Training Center compatibility, evidence-based feedback technology, scalability, and total cost of ownership

For a large health system, equipment must align with AHA standards, provide CPR quality feedback, scale across many sites, and be cost-effective over time.

A project team conducting an after-action review (AAR) of a cardiac arrest response identifies that chest compression fractions were consistently below 60%. Which planning change BEST addresses this finding?

Answer: Implementing structured role rotation training with CPR quality feedback devices to minimize hands-off time

Role rotation drills combined with real-time CPR quality feedback directly address the root cause of poor compression fraction by minimizing unnecessary interruptions.

Which document BEST serves as the foundation for project scope management in a hospital ECC quality improvement initiative?

Answer: A project charter that defines goals, scope boundaries, deliverables, timelines, and key stakeholders

A project charter is the authoritative document that establishes scope, stakeholders, and boundaries, preventing scope creep and aligning team expectations.

A project coordinator is planning a Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program for Heartsaver instructors. How many practice teaching opportunities should each trainee instructor ideally complete before independent certification?

Answer: At least one observed teaching practicum with structured feedback from an experienced instructor

AHA guidelines require instructor candidates to be observed teaching and receive structured feedback before they are certified to teach independently.

In the context of ECC program sustainability, which indicator BEST predicts whether a workplace CPR program will remain active after initial implementation?

Answer: Presence of a designated program champion with protected time and executive-level support

Long-term program sustainability is most strongly predicted by having an empowered, accountable champion backed by organizational leadership and resources.