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Many different certifications apply to healthcare professionals, which is why people are often confused about whether they need ACLS or not. If you are wondering how to become ACLS certified, this article will discuss the essential things to know about ACLS certification.
What is ACLS Certification?
ACLS stands for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. It offers a set of clinical algorithms to treat conditions ranging from cardiac arrest and myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) to stroke and other life-threatening emergencies. It was established in 1974 and has been updated regularly to ensure that healthcare providers maintain the skills to support patients during emergencies.
Today, the emergency medical community has evolved, adopting new, more efficient mediums of education. ACLS now addresses several conditions, including sudden cardiac arrest, acute coronary syndromes, and stroke. It also focuses on treatment such as minimal interruption of CPR and the integration of AED use.
Find Out- What’s the Difference Between ACLS And CPR Certifications.
What’s the Importance of ACLS Certification?
When a patient suffers from a medical emergency, ACLS provides crucial tools for healthcare professionals to increase patient outcomes by keeping a patient’s neurological function intact during cardiovascular events and sustaining life. It draws on a wide range of technical skills and knowledge appropriate only to those deeply experienced in patient care. With ACLS, healthcare professionals can optimize resuscitation efforts and improve their chances of saving a patient’s life.
Who Should Consider ACLS Certification?
ACLS certification applies to qualified medical professionals because it may involve intubating a patient and administering intravenous drugs. Therefore, it is recommended for healthcare professionals, including doctors, registered nurses (RNs), paramedics who may have to respond to a cardiac emergency, and anyone working in critical care units.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support providers must have the skills to place advanced airways and insert an IV (Intravenous) or IO (Intraosseous) line to administer fluids and medications. And they must thoroughly understand all the drugs used to treat the various heart rhythms and conditions they will encounter. Together, healthcare providers will use these ACLS skills and knowledge to provide the best possible treatment for the best possible patient outcome.
What’s Covered in the Course?
ACLS training, which covers several invasive procedures, differs from Basic Life Support training in that it is designed for advanced medical professionals, while almost all health care professionals receive healthcare provider BLS certification. The AHA-approved course in ACLS and BLS certification includes training on critical changes in advanced cardiovascular life support. The course also covers BLS skills such as chest compressions, use of bag-mask devices, AED, and early recognition and management of respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, and peri-arrest conditions such as symptomatic bradycardia according to the American Heart Association. Other topics covered include:
- Airway management
- Related pharmacology
- Management of acute coronary syndromes and stroke
- Resuscitation team dynamics
Takes less than 20 minutes. learn more
Online ACLS Certification
ACLS online certification course is designed for healthcare professionals to learn or refresh their training on the most updated life-saving techniques, allowing them to manage and respond to nearly all cardiopulmonary emergencies.
The ACLS certification demonstrates an individual has been trained to an American Heart Association-approved standard. In addition, the certification verifies if you are qualified to perform ACLS, assuring the holder understands basic life support and how to recognize and manage heart attack and other respiratory arrest scenarios. Upon completing the ACLS course, the certificate holder will be able to:
- Successfully managed strokes and acute coronary syndromes
- Both lead and support a resuscitation team
- Successfully manage a patient’s airway
- Recognize and be able to handle respiratory and cardiovascular emergency
- Have a thorough understanding of ACLS pharmacology
Take Free CPR, AED & First Aid Practice Test and prepare yourself for the official certification exam.
ACLS training goes beyond Basic Life Support to provide more extensive advanced life support knowledge. Therefore, Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification is the best choice for the healthcare professional who has not previously completed an ACLS course or wants a more in-depth refresher. However, if you are a healthcare professional with an active ACLS certification, you can sign up for an ACLS recertification class. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive instant card access and be mailed your ACLS provider card soon after.
Key Takeaway:
ACLS offers a set of clinical algorithms to treat medical conditions. It is geared towards healthcare professionals who manage cardiopulmonary arrest, other cardiovascular emergencies, or personnel in emergency response.
- ACLS certification applies to qualified medical professionals because it may involve intubating a patient and administering intravenous drugs.
- ACLS also focuses on treatment such as minimal interruption of CPR and the integration of AED use.
- ACLS is the best choice for the healthcare professional who has not previously completed an ACLS course or wants a more in-depth refresher.
- With ACLS, healthcare professionals can optimize resuscitation efforts and improve their chances of saving a patient’s life.
