ACLS EP Course participants are expected to have the following skills and qualities. They must:
• Be proficient in performing BLS and ACLS skills
• Be able to read and interpret ECGs
• Have an understanding ACLS pharmacology
• Regularly lead or participate in emergency assessment and treatment of pre-arrest, arrest, or post-arrest patients
• Use key elements of critical thinking in processing information, data in development of the differential diagnosis, and decision-making for intervention and care ACLS EP
Note: Course participants must also pass the ACLS Provider exam with a score of 84% or higher to qualify for entry into an ACLS EP Course.
ACLS for Experienced Providers goes beyond the core ACLS training by offering critical thinking opportunities for those advanced, experienced, healthcare professionals who use ACLS on a regular basis. The goal of ACLS EP is to improve outcomes in complex cardiovascular, respiratory and other (e.g., metabolic, toxicologic) emergencies by expanding on core ACLS guidelines and encouraging critical thinking and decision-making strategies. Through cooperative learning and active participation in case-based scenarios, learners enhance their skills in the differential diagnosis and treatment of prearrest, arrest and postarrest patients.
In addition to testing BLS and ACLS Provider topics ACLS-EP expands into more complex topics using BLS and ACLS-EP expanded systematic approach such as:
cardiac arrest associated with pregnancy, pulmonary embolism, morbidly obese, following cardiac surgery, commotio cordis and etc
cardiac or respiratory arrest associated with opioid overdose
role of intravenous lipid emulsion therapy in ACLS management of cardiac arrest due to poisoning/drug overdose
cardiac arrest associated with other toxic ingestions (benzodiazepines, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin, cocaine, cyclic antidepressants, carbon monoxide, and cyanide)
cardiac arrest during percutaneous coronary intervention
cardiac arrest associated with: asthma, anaphylaxis, trauma, unintentional hypothermia, drowning, cardiac tamponade, electric shock or lightning strikes
cardiac arrest associated with life-threatening electrolyte imbalance
cardiac arrest in avalanche victims
Approximately 6-8 hrs (4-5 hrs webinar and 2-3 hrs skills and exam)
AHA ACLS-EP Provider Course Completion eCard valid for 2 years (Note: this certification is overides AHA ACLS Provider Certification).