Kentucky Association of Health Plans and American Heart Association Announce Initiative to Equip Thousands of New Parents with Infant CPR Kits
Infant CPR Anytime Kits are being shipped to hospitals across the Commonwealth thanks to a grant from Kentucky Association of Health Plans.
Manikin and video course provide lifesaving training in 20 minutes
Louisville, Ky. (June 7, 2022) – Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP), the trade association representing all commercial insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations in the Commonwealth and the Kentuckiana American Heart Association (AHA), today announced a new initiative to provide Infant CPR Anytime Training® Kits to Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICU) throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Thanks to a $95,000 grant from KAHP, the AHA will distribute 3,000 kits, complete with an inflatable manikin and video course to hospitals so they can distribute to new parents. The kits impart lifesaving infant choking and CPR training in about 20 minutes. The at-home kits will fill voids due to staffing shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gift caps off National CPR Awareness Week.
“Since the transition to Medicaid Managed Care a decade ago, Kentucky has been able to improve access and health outcomes for infants, and this is part of continuing efforts to expand on those gains,” said Katherine Kington North, director of external affairs for KAHP. “We’re excited to provide funding for this partnership with the American Heart Association. This is an extremely effective tool that will increase the chances of survival in the face of an emergency and equip new parents with the confidence to administer lifesaving techniques.”
The kits are available in both English and Spanish and provide a responsive experience for parents and caregivers to practice the proper way to apply chest compressions and other critical skills.
“With preterm infants, there are twice as many cardiovascular malformations as those born at full term, so the kits are especially important to those families,” said Dr. Sandra Guerra, chief medical director for KAHP member, WellCare of Kentucky and board chair of the Kentuckiana AHA. “Premature infants may also have breathing difficulties due to an underdeveloped respiratory system, and should it be necessary, parents will have the know-how to administer aid before an ambulance arrives. The physical practice that these kits provide is tremendous.”
The kits include a skills reference card to refresh and review skills at any time. KAHP and the AHA began deliveries to NICUs in Mid-May, with 1,900 distributed to-date and will continue the shipments throughout the next several months.
About Kentucky Association of Health Plans:
Kentucky Association of Health Plans is the trade organization representing the Kentucky health insurance community. KAHP is a leader on issues that strengthen the accessibility, value, and quality of health care in the Commonwealth. Members include Aetna, Anthem, CareSource, Humana, Passport Health Plan by Molina Healthcare, UnitedHealth Group and WellCare. For more information visit: www.kahp.org or follow @kyhealthplans on Twitter.
About American Heart Association Kentucky:
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.