Florida Resuscitation Centers for Excellence (FRCE) Program

The purpose of The FRCE program is to establish a Resuscitation System of Care with performance improvement and data analysis, identify evidence-based interventions, designate hospitals as Resuscitation Centers, develop care guidelines, and create support networks for survivors and families.

Program Requirements

  1. Commitment to Standards
    • a. Facilities must meet specific criteria for treating resuscitation patients to achieve recognition.
  2. Participation Requirements:
    • a. Senior Administration & Medical Staff: Both must be actively committed to the program.
    • b. Data Submission: Facilities are required to submit relevant data for evaluation.
    • c. Benchmarking: Participation in performance benchmarking against peers is mandatory.
    • d. Performance Improvement (PI): Facilities must engage in performance improvement reviews.
  3. Letter of Attestation (LOA):

    NOTE: FRCE designation is dependent on submission of an official FRCE letter of attestation (LOA) signed by the hospital CEO and local EMS Medical Director.

    • a. A facility must sign a LOA as a formal commitment to meeting these requirements.
    • b. Completion of the LOA is a prerequisite for receiving Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) patients.

Designations & Criteria

Primary Resuscitation Centers

Focus on foundational criteria to ensure high-quality care for resuscitation patients.

Hospitals and EMS systems that participate in the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) meet Primary Resuscitation Center criteria.

Comprehensive Resuscitation Centers

Build on primary requirements, incorporating advanced capabilities and additional services.

Must meet all primary resuscitation center criteria (including all recommended specialties).

Primary vs. Comprehensive Resuscitation Center
Criteria Primary Resuscitation Center Comprehensive Resuscitation Center
Bystander CPR Promotion
Organize community initiatives to teach CPR and recognize cardiac emergencies.
Community Outreach
Run programs to educate the public on heart health and reducing the risk of cardiac diseases.
EMS Collaboration
Work closely with emergency services to enhance the overall system of care for cardiac arrest.
Administrative Commitment
Signed attestation from senior administration and medical staff.
Bundle of Care
Use standardized care plans to ensure consistent, high-quality resuscitation care.
Evidence-Based Protocols
Include specific criteria for resuscitation termination and care.
Cardiology Consultation
Mandatory for sustained ROSC patients.
Rapid Cardiac Cath Lab Activation
For eligible ROSC patients within 60-90 minutes.
Targeted Temperature Management (TTM)
Initiated within 2 hours for certain patients.
Post-ROSC Care Plans
Develop strategies to prevent hypotension after a patient regains circulation.
Transfer Guidelines
For higher-level care when needed.
Multidisciplinary Rounds
Regular reviews of care plans and implementation.
Comprehensive Patient Care
Address the patient's overall well-being, including nutrition, rehabilitation, and spiritual care, from admission.
Organ Donation Protocol
Active participation with organ procurement organizations.
CARES Participation
Enter patient data into a national registry to provide EMS agencies feedback and improve cardiac arrest outcomes.
Patient Education
Cardiac risk reduction, CPR, and support services before discharge.
Multidisciplinary Team
Designated roles for resuscitation care.
Specialist Support
Ensure access to various medical experts, such as cardiologists, neurologists, and critical care specialists.
24/7 On-Site Critical Care
Have pulmonary/critical care specialists and interventional cardiologists available at all times.
Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS)
In-house advanced life-support machines like ECMO to support heart and lung functions in critical cases.
Neurological Monitoring
Offer specialized neurological care with neuro-intensivists to monitor brain health during recovery.
Research Involvement
Engage in research activities to improve treatment strategies for cardiac arrest.

Contact Information

To learn more and/or if you are interested in helping your facility become a Florida Resuscitation Center for Excellence, email Thomas DiBernado - Thomas.DiBernardo@FlHealth.gov or Jennifer Logsdon - FRCE@emlrc.org