Telecommunicator CPR Quality Assurance/Control Program and Report Templates

Telecommunicator CPR (T-CPR)

What is Telecommunicator-CPR?

T-CPR is the life-saving process where a 911 dispatcher identifies a cardiac arrest over the phone and provides immediate, step-by-step instructions to the caller to perform chest compressions. Because the brain begins to suffer permanent damage within minutes of the heart stopping, T-CPR ensures that life-saving measures begin before emergency medical services (EMS) arrive on the scene.

T-CPR Requirements in Tennessee

In Tennessee, all 911 telecommunicators are required to have T-CPR training and to offer T-CPR instruction to callers when a 911 dispatcher identifies cardiac arrest over the phone. In addition, Emergency Communications Districts (ECDs) are required to create and implement a Tr-CPR Quality Assurance (QA) program. T-CPR QA is the formal process of reviewing 911 calls involving cardiac arrest to ensure that dispatchers are accurately identifying the emergency and providing high-quality, life-saving CPR instructions over the phone. By evaluating key metrics—such as the time it takes to recognize cardiac arrest and the time to the first directed compression—agencies can provide feedback to staff and improve patient survival outcomes.

Under Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-06-02-.06 and T.C.A. § 7-86-205, all Emergency Communications Districts (ECDs) must:

  • Ensure their telecommunicators are trained in T-CPR and offer T-CPR when the telecommunicator identifies a cardiac arrest is occurring.
  • Establish an ongoing QA/QC program to monitor dispatcher adherence to T-CPR protocols.
  • Conduct regular call reviews, including at least one audio recording review per month for each telecommunicator who provided T-CPR.
  • Submit an annual report to the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB) by April 1st each year, summarizing the previous year’s T-CPR call data and QA results.

Available Resources

To help your agency stay compliant and efficient, the following materials are available through the TECB:

  • QA/QC Program Templates: Customizable Word and PDF documents to help you build or update your internal program.
  • Reporting Templates: Excel and PDF forms specifically designed for the required annual ECD Summary Report.
  • Training Guidelines: Materials to ensure your T-CPR training meets the evidence-based standards required by state law.

To obtain these materials, obtain guidance regarding T-CPR, or assistance in the submission or creation of your report, please contact Jennifer Schwendimann jennifer.schwendimann@tn.gov.