ACLS/BLS training?

[BCS_001]

Hey everyone,

Hope you are all well. I just received info in the mail from the residency program I will be joining this summer (as a PGY1), and they requested that I take BLS and ACLS "in my area" before relocating. My medical school does not offer certification, and I had been operating under the assumption that it would be offered as part of my residency orientation in June. Anyway, now I am looking into options...does anyone have any experience with this? In my searches online, I found there to be a variety of different training options, not sure which ones are considered standard? Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

Take care.

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[EM Junkie]

You will need ACLS / BLS for healthcare providers. Most hospitals offer the training for their nursing staff (especially ICU, ER). Maybe you could take a class there. As long as you are taking a "provider" course from the American Heart Association, you are taking the correct course.

 

[missdr]

i am suprised that you are not already BLS certified, as our medical school (and most i know of) requires it as part of JHACO stuff. we were actually told NOT to take ACLS by our em dept until early june at the earliest because the new recs aren't being taught everywhere until then and you don't want to have to relearn everything (there are some pretty big changes this year!) tyou can take BLS just about anywhere through red cross but make sure if you take ACLS that they are teaching you the new recs!!!

 

[phllystyl]

Cornell Medicine also suggested we do ACLS, but they will schedule it for us if we can't.

My home school doesn't offer it to its med students at all. We were BLS certified before third yr but that expires today 😉

Frank

 

[ShyRem]

Almost every hospital offers it - or call your local ALS ambulance service and ask them. All paramedics have to have current ACLS, and all ambulance folks have to have BLS.

 

[lilycat]

The course I was looking into mentioned getting a book for this prior to the course. What book should I be looking for? 😕

 

[penguins]

I did this today. Just look up on the net the nearest American Heart Association place, call them, tell them what you need and schedule a class. BLS at my place (small town) is offered twice a month and ACLS less frequently.

 

[waterski232002]

i am suprised that you are not already BLS certified, as our medical school (and most i know of) requires it as part of JHACO stuff. we were actually told NOT to take ACLS by our em dept until early june at the earliest because the new recs aren't being taught everywhere until then and you don't want to have to relearn everything (there are some pretty big changes this year!) tyou can take BLS just about anywhere through red cross but make sure if you take ACLS that they are teaching you the new recs!!!

The 2005 updates are easy. Three of our EM faculty sit on the AHA board on ACLS guidelines. We have had extensive lectures at nauseum about this topic.... mostly b/c these faculty members did most of the research which brought about these changes.

1) CPR ratio is now 15 compressions to 2 breaths
2) No more 3 stack defibrillation (1 shock only)
3) Immediate CPR after defibrillation (do NOT check pulse or check rhythm)
4) Hypothermia after return of spontaneous circulation is now loosely recommended

 

[12R34Y]

The 2005 updates are easy. Three of our EM faculty sit on the AHA board on ACLS guidelines. We have had extensive lectures at nauseum about this topic.... mostly b/c these faculty members did most of the research which brought about these changes.

1) CPR ratio is now 15 compressions to 2 breaths
2) No more 3 stack defibrillation (1 shock only)
3) Immediate CPR after defibrillation (do NOT check pulse or check rhythm)
4) Hypothermia after return of spontaneous circulation is now loosely recommended

they also recommend IO (intraosseus) access if you can't get IV instead of giving meds down ET tube (which never worked).

They also say if you find someone that has been down for 4-5 minutes you have to do 2 minutes of CPR PRIOR to defibrillating (increases liklihood of sucessfully countershock).

There's some other nuances, but those are the biggies.

later