Home   Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) for Healthcare Providers

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) for Healthcare Providers


2010 Guidelines
Product displayed: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider Manual (90-1014)

The ACLS course builds on the foundation of lifesaving Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers skills, emphasizing the importance of continuous, high-quality CPR. This advanced course highlights the importance of team dynamics and communication, systems of care, and immediate post-cardiac arrest care. ACLS also covers airway management and related pharmacology.

Skills are taught in large-group sessions and small-group learning and testing stations where case-based scenarios are presented.

The ACLS course covers:

  • ACLS algorithms
  • immediate post-cardiac-arrest care
  • airway management
  • rhythm recognition
  • high-quality CPR
  • 1-rescuer CPR AED
  • effective resuscitation team dynamics
  • science overview (update course)
  • BLS and ACLS surveys
  • ACS
  • Megacode treatment
  • identification and initial care of other life-threatening clinical situations (such as stroke)

ACLS training is intended for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the resuscitation of a patient, whether in or out of the hospital, including:

  • physicians
  • nurses
  • emergency medical technicians
  • paramedics
  • staff in intensive care units and emergency or critical care departments
  • other professionals who may respond to a cardiovascular emergency

Students must pass a written exam and skills test in order to qualify for an ACLS Course Completion Card.

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 and complete a precourse self-assessment using the tools in their student materials before starting the course.

Course length is approximately 10-12 hours for the initial course, and approximately 5-6.5 hours for the renewal course. Part 1 (cognitive portion) can be taken in an instructor-led training session or on a self-directed basis as an online eLearning course. Students then practice their skills (Part 2) and are tested (Part 3) with a certified American Heart Association ACLS instructor.

Return to top

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support for Experienced Providers
(ACLS EP)

The goal of the classroom-based, Instructor-led ACLS EP course is to improve outcomes in complex cardiovascular, respiratory, and other emergencies (e.g., metabolic or toxicologic) 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.

2010 Guidelines - Product displayed: ACLS For Experienced Providers (ACLS EP) Manual And Resource Text (90-1075)

The ACLS EP course is intended for those who must respond to cardiovascular emergencies and special resuscitation situations in the workplace, and who are mandated to have the highest level of training in order to perform their jobs, including:

  • seasoned professionals who wish to renew their provider status
  • doctors
  • nurses
  • paramedics

In order to take the ACLS EP course, students must first pass an online exam to demonstrate their ACLS knowledge. After taking the course, students must pass a written exam and skills test in order to qualify for an ACLS Experienced Provider Course Completion Card.

Return to top