Back row, from left: Khang Nguyen (BHSC), Chase Escue (BHSC), April Russell (Vital Link), Dillon Thornley (Vital Link), Brandi Fleetwood (BHSC), Sarah Pickett (BHSC), Nicole Ross (BHSC), Crystal Johnson (BHSC), Michele Gerhardt (BHSC), Lisa McCord (BHSC), Deborah Halcom (BHSC) Front row, from left: Charles Wooley (ACH), Crystal Bullard (BHSC).
Batesville High School Charter (BHSC) has been recognized as a Heart Safe School through a collaboration with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Project ADAM.
In a release, the Batesville School District (BSD) said the achievement reflects the school’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students, staff, and visitors in the event of sudden cardiac emergencies.
In a comprehensive assessment conducted earlier this week, BHSC successfully demonstrated its preparedness and response capabilities during a simulated cardiac event.
Charles Wooley, RN from Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Project ADAM, initiated the drill and evaluated the school’s response, awarding them a superb rating.
To enhance the realism of the exercise, BHSC engaged Vital Link, contributing to a more authentic scenario and valuable experience for the response team. Following the drill, a debriefing session facilitated productive discussions with the evaluation team and Vital Link, leading to insights on improving response efficiency and overall preparedness.
The school was presented with a prestigious banner, which will be prominently displayed as a testament to their dedication to emergency preparedness.
The release said BHSC took proactive measures to achieve Heart Safe School certification due to the increasing frequency of cardiac incidents and the unpredictable nature of such emergencies. The school has already recorded three success stories resulting from their swift response, making them the only school in the state with such a high success rate, particularly involving more than one cardiac event with a student.
According to a ACH representative, BHSC “…is setting a commendable standard for emergency response in schools, demonstrating that their practices are yielding positive outcomes. Project ADAM’s Heart Safe School program emphasizes the importance of well-maintained automated external defibrillator (AED) equipment, CPR/AED trained staff, and a thoroughly practiced plan to respond to sudden cardiac events on campus.”
“We are thrilled to be recognized as a Heart Safe School and believe in the importance of being well-prepared for any emergency,” said BHSC’s nursing coordinator Crystal Bullard. “Our success stories underscore the effectiveness of our response team, and we are eager to share our experiences with other schools in the district.”
Chase Escue, BHSC’s athletic trainer, also had a hand in making this project possible, and he expressed his sentiments to his team and the competition for the newly obtained title.
“As an athletic trainer, obtaining the Heart Safe School title fills me with immense pride. Working alongside an exceptional team, including Crystal Bullard, Brandi Fleetwood, and Charles Wooley, who brought forth this visionary idea, underscores our collective commitment to well-being,” said Escue. “This achievement is a testament to our dedication, and I’m honored to contribute to a culture where preparedness saves lives.”
Looking ahead, Batesville Schools said it aims to extend this commitment to safety by working towards becoming a Heart Safe School district-wide.
The district also has NARCAN and STOP THE BLEED kits inside every AED machine across the junior high and high school campuses. It said it has made health and safety training a priority for its employees by having all staff trained in mental health first aid. Core staff are also trained in NARCAN distribution, STOP THE BLEED, CPR, and first aid.
Image provided by the Batesville School District
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