This is 100% dependent on your specific hospitals by laws. It's a vestigial remnant of the days before BC/BE EPs were commonplace, when you would have the medical staff rotate to cover the ER. One night the Internist would cover, the next night the Cardiologist, Tuesday the Dermatologist covered, then Wednesday was the Psychiatrist's turn and Thursday, Peds. It made sense to have everyone have at least a basic level of BLS and ACLS knowledge, because it was better than none.
Now fast toward 30-40 years and the question is asked: Why are we having BC/BE EPs who've had Medical School, then 6,000 hours and 3 years of residency training in resuscitation and ABEM certification including a written and oral exam , then take an 8 hour course to show he/she knows what they've spent 6,000 hours perfecting, alongside people who aren't doctors, aren't EPs and know little if anything about resuscitation?
Why require that?
VP of Medical Affairs:
"Well, uh....duh, well.....uh. I think, it's....uh. Well, because....uh, because, it makes us feel better to do things the way we've always done them....I think."
It would be exactly the same as requiring all General, Orthopedic and Neurosurgeons recertify their basic suturing skills every 3 years to keep their jobs.
Oh wait, Surgeons would never be required to do that, or allow themselves to be required to jump through such an absurd and degrading hoop. Yet, EPs march in lockstep with such absurdities.
Why?
It's critical to know the answer to this question.
