BAD ACLS Instructor??

I believe this points out the general opinion on why ACLS is no longer regarded as a recognized training program. It DOES NOT certify nor does it demonstrate one has knowledge in emergency cardiac care. Rather one has met the standards as set forth per AHA as under ECC recommendations.

Unfortunately, AHA ACLS has been on a slippery slope and the courses of past quality is hard to find. I am sure Chip's is one of fine quality as some others. I know myself and a few others attempt to continue bring a quality program. With the ease of obtaining ACLS cards, albeit per computer, online, video, what ever the means the credibility has been lost.

I agree it is a shame. It was once was thought as a nice measure to judge and view if one really knew ECC and resuscitation measures. As demonstrated in the letter, AHA no longer emphasizes the need of exact knowledge, rather the general implication of where, how to manage the team approach and obtain information if needed. Which is great.. if there is even a team.

This is why I wished there were another respectable agency that would take the lead in certifying and testing those that work in emergency cardiac care. I do doubt, that there will be. With increasing litigation's, responsibilities, and studies demonstrating that retention being poor, it may be a long time if ever see an organization step up.

Well, until then we will have to honor the request of our license and certifying agencies, and continue to "play the game"...

R/r 911
 
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Hello all... this is my first post...
i find that most of the CPR courses being taught now are lacking in theory, and heavy in mechanics... they don't stress the importance of compressing almost 2 inches... if you compress 1 inch, even at the correct rate, you might as well save your energy... they also don't stress that over ventilaing a patient increases the intrathoracic pressure to the point where you are fighting against your own perfusion attempts... to say that overventiating will make a patient vomit just doesn't give the whole picture, and clearly leaves students short on some very important reasons as to why we do what we do.

i have heard that the courses taught now are not nearly as good as older days, but i'm not really sure why that should be the case...
 
Very true Skyemt.
My pet peeve now is the AHA advocating mechanical assist devices without a clear definition of these devices or elaborating on the basics.
 
I think I will forward my concern to the AHA ECC. I found during the so called "GROUP" megacode testing, one of the ER nurses was doing the ventilation about 40 breaths per minute... In real life, that would get you vomitus pretty quickly.

Of course, the letter said that through the group effort (which only about 1/3 of the group participated), any one who desired a BLS card can get one...

The whole thing is a joke, BLS, ACLS, and likely PALS and other programs directed by the AHA.
 
I understand your concerns and being disgruntled; however I highly suggest leaving the matters alone. You have written and received an response.

Continuation of the matter may only actually bring problems to you later on. Although, I totally agree with your frustration, there is a time not to make career suicide. Remember, your only venting your side of the story. As well, since ACLS is NOT really a certifying body or even a required course for many, some may not see the continuation of "nit picking" an educational course.

Again, I am NOT condoning what occurred, but there is a time and place to pick your battle. Continuation upwards, after this has been already handled (placed instructor on probation) may only lead to more problems, please evaluate your actions before taking any further stance.


R?r 911
 
Pinetree, Rid makes a very good point in that ACLS is not a "certification", but rather a continuation in education... As such, and as you obviously feel strongly about the matter, why not put the effort instead into your own agency, to improve the quality of CPR there? It all starts at home, and i think you might be surprised at the results you get... At least, in your district, you will be sure you have done your part to get the outcome you want, which in the end is better quality CPR...
 
I think you might be right. Let the ones who want to take the low road take the low road.
 
pinetree said:
I ...

The whole thing is a joke, BLS, ACLS, and likely PALS and other programs directed by the AHA.
Click to expand...

Let me redirect this to a hypothesis. Again, I agree with your frustration, and yes some courses and over all I am thoroughly frustrated with AHA content and presentation of ACLS and some other courses, but NOT ALL is a joke.

I teach ACLS at the least twice a year to my Paramedic service, There is not one Paramedic in the service that has not been re certified at the least twice to three times. Hence, the same material, the same video, the same test is presented to them over and over... The same as CPR...

Do you believe I should present "respiratory adjuncts" such a NPA, OPA, or even simple face masks and test over them to active field Paramedics that have been performing the procedures correctly for 10 years on a daily basis, and is observed by other credentialed instructors? Again, the mundanes of some of the program is why some of the instruction is curtailed. Really, do I need to spend 5 minutes to teach on how to place a NPA in a dummy to a Paramedic with 25 years experience? If I do so, he/she needs to be terminated.

I do have different programs, they all follow AHA outline however are different. The one I teach in the hospital is much different than the field. You have a group of OB and orthopedic nurses versus those of ICU/ER and then Paramedics. So yes, alterations are performed sometimes. Yes, they all are tested over the same material, but again I spend more time on megacodes and ACS in EMS type ACLS class than for say the orthopedic nurses. Chances of the OB nurses ever working a cardiac arrest and definitely being the team leader are near to never, however; having them recognizing and calling a code, taking actions for the code team as well as preparing the patient, establishing an large bore IV (to OB nurse this is larger than a 20g) and being able to perform BVM is essential. They will NEVER establish an advanced airway such as LMA, Combitube, or Intubation but may direct the code until the team arrives. Which is the intent of the course. In which AHA is attempting to describe... the intent in which, the course is offered.

These supplemental courses are meant to re-enforce material, one should already possess or to inform a participant of maybe a different methodology or approach of the current standards per specialty organization. The same as PHTLS/ITLS even ATLS does for EMS practitioners and physicians. One does not become any more a trauma expert after attending such courses as they were prior, nor a pediatric specialist after attending a PALS course.

If one wanted to become an expert or specialist in these prescribed areas, then one would have to attend graduate and post graduate degree studies and then have sucessfully completed a specialty license or board certifications such as an M.D., D.O., Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Clinician, that actually have residencies (years) of studies.

That is why most EMS does not place any more emphasis on alphabet courses. There important to maintain and keep us abreast of the current recognized methods, as well as demonstrating that we are efficient in the skills required as well. Really, nothing more than that.

R/r 911
 
I remember a while back that AHA was really emphasizing the statement, "Certification does not mean Competency" and that the ACLS card should not be waved around like a Boy Scout merit badge.

Has anyone tried the Laerdal ACLS self-directed program that includes the skills assessment? In many ways, I felt this program really helped overcome inconsistencies in training due to the "human" equation. I enjoyed playing with the simulations-- it helped me learn quite a bit. Previously, the Laerdal program required you to do intubation on an actual manikin with sensors, but it has now changed to two skills (a) ventilation drill and (b) 2-minutes CPR drill.

I think AHA is trying hard to emphasize more and more than strong BLS, rather than meds, is what makes the difference in a code situation.
 
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