Tag Archive: cardiac

ACLS for Experienced Providers

ACLS EP
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The goal of the ACLS EP Course is to improve outcomes in complex cardiovascular, respiratory and other (eg, metabolic, toxicologic) emergencies by expanding on core ACLS guidelines and encouraging critical thinking and decision-making strategies. Through instruction and active participation in case-based scenarios, learners enhance their skills in the differential diagnosis and treatment of prearrest, arrest and postarrest patients.

ACLS EP has been updated to reflect science from the following:
• 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC
• 2013 American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF)/AHA Guidelines for the Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
• 2012 ACCF/AHA Focused Update of the Guideline for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Audience

This course is for seasoned healthcare providers who are proficient in performing BLS and ACLS skills, reading and interpreting ECGs, and understanding ACLS pharmacology and who regularly lead or participate in emergency assessment and treatment of prearrest, arrest or postarrest patients.

Course Content

• Applying the expanded systematic approach (ACLS-EP Survey) to patient assessment, evaluation and management
• Cardiovascular Emergencies
• Cerebrovascular Emergencies
• Respiratory and Metabolic Emergencies
• Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
• Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Emergencies
• High Quality CPR
• Effective communication within a resuscitation team and recognition of the impact of team dynamics on overall team performance

Course Format

• Classroom-based
• Instructor-led
• Features active participation in case-based scenarios

Course completion time is approximately 8 hours (7 to 7.25 hours without breaks and 8 to 8.5 hours with breaks).

Features

• Uses case-based scenarios to move beyond the algorithms and show learners how to apply critical thinking to quickly reach a differential diagnosis and effectively manage treatment
• Includes more of the cases and information learners have requested, including pharmacology, toxicology, respiratory and metabolic cases
• Includes 68 scenarios, including prehospital, emergency department and inhospital scenarios, so the course to be customized to best meet the needs of learners
• ACLS Provider exam is completed online before class allowing learners more time to share and learn from peers
• Continuing education credits available

Certification

For successful course completion, learners must actively participate in all case-based scenarios and must meet all current ACLS course completion requirements including
• Pass the 1-rescuer CPR and AED skills test
• Pass the bag-mask ventilation skills test
• Pass the Megacode skills test
• Pass the ACLS Provider exam with a score of 84% or higher

Upon successful completion, learners receive an ACLS EP course completion card, valid for 2 years.

06/15/2013 Courses, Emergency Cardiac Care, , , , , , Read more >

Heartcode ACLS Part 1

heartcodeacls

online-heartcode-aclsHeartCode® ACLS Part 1 is a Web-based, self-paced instructional program that uses eSimulation technology to allow students to assess and treat patients in virtual healthcare settings. In this environment, students apply their knowledge to real-time decision making and skills development. Debriefings and coaching are provided immediately after each simulation to facilitate learning. After completing the cognitive portion of the course, students practice and test their skills with an AHA Instructor or on a voice-assisted manikin (VAM) system. Upon successful completion of the cognitive and skills tests, students receive a course completion card.

This program presents 10 interactive hospital-based cases to teach ACLS knowledge,  building  on the foundation of lifesaving BLS for Healthcare Providers skills and the importance of continuous, high-quality CPR.

Audience

HeartCode ACLS Part 1 is for healthcare professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest and other cardiovascular emergencies, specifically those seeking an alternative (nonclassroom) method for completing an initial or update ACLS Course.

HeartCode ACLS Part 1 requires prior knowledge that will be applied in using the ACLS treatment algorithms. Unprepared or inexperienced students may require additional time to complete HeartCode ACLS Part 1. To be successful in any ACLS course, students should be able to identify ECG rhythms and should know pharmacology specific to cardiopulmonary arrest and other cardiopulmonary emergencies before beginning the course. It is strongly recommended that students review the ACLS course materials contained within the program and complete the Precourse Self-Assessment prior to attempting the patient cases.

Course Content

•  Key changes in advanced cardiovascular life support, reflecting the 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care
•  Ten adult patient cases with up to four healthcare providers, presented through eSimulation technology:
– One BLS case
– Seven cases representing cardiovascular, respiratory and stroke emergencies
– Two Megacodes
•  Recognition and early management of respiratory and cardiac arrest
•  Recognition and early management of periarrest conditions such as symptomatic bradycardia
•  Airway management
•  Related pharmacology
•  Management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and stroke
•  Effective communication as a member and leader of a resuscitation team

Course Format & Time

To receive an ACLS course completion card using this program, students must complete three parts:
• HeartCode ACLS Part 1. Upon successful completion of the online portion, including the written exam, students receive a Part 1 certificate of completion, which must be presented for parts 2 and 3.
• Part 2*, a hands-on skills practice session with an AHA ACLS Instructor or using a voice-assisted manikin (VAM) system
• Part 3*, a skills test with an AHA ACLS Instructor or using a VAM system
*Parts 2 and 3 should be completed in one “skills practice and testing” session.

Features

• Self-paced and accessible 24 hours a day
• Precourse Self-Assessment to gauge students’ knowledge and application of ECG recognition and pharmacology
• Debriefings and coaching provided immediately after each simulation, with hyperlinks to the referenced section of the ACLS Provider Manual
• Multiple choice, 50-question exam to test cognitive knowledge; program immediately identifies incorrect answers and  provides a hyperlink to the appropriate section of the ACLS Provider Manual for instant remediation
• Online access to the ACLS Provider Manual, the 2010 AHA Guidelines for CPR & ECC and the 2010 Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Providers
• Provides access to all information in course for 24 months (two years) following activation of course key
• Provides up to 10.25 hours continuing education credit

06/15/2013 Emergency Cardiac Care, Online, , , , , , , , , , , Read more >