eACLS

[ExpatMedic0]

Hey guys, you may remember a while back I was asking about "eACLS" For those who do not know, eACLS in from the American College of Emergency Physicians instead of the American Heart Association. I thought I would share a little bit about it with you and also ask some questions/feedback.

The only reason I am taking it is is because I need it to re certify this month and there are no AHA ACLS classes in English anywhere near my location.(just ask Vene, I have tried for months) I can take eACLS online and do my practical elevation over skype with an instructor. While I have to say this is a great option for those of us overseas who need to recert and have no other choice, I am not so sure about the class so far.

The good news is this ACLS is accepted by CECBEMS and the NREMT the same as AHA ACLS.

The "lecture portion" is through jblearning, who also have a fairly good rep. However, the lecture portion and simulation is telling me to do some things I am not really use to. For example, in a megacode algortyehm such as PEA or asystole the following occur.

check respovnivness,
check airway
check breathing,
provide 2breaths,
check pulse,
preform quick look,
determine rythem
consider causes,
start CPR,
intubate,
start IV
and then it continues with the cycles of drugs, and compression

what I find interesting is that Intubation is stressed and must be done before BLS airway, before starting an IV or giving drugs. Also, there is no CPR by the 2nd rescuer at any point after determining there is no pulse until after the monitor is all hooked up to the patient and a rythem strip evaluated.

This seems to differ from the AHA if I remember correctly? Anyone up to date on the latest AHA ACLS and can tell me how this differs or compares?

I will also provide further feedback on it once I complete my practical evaluation

 

[Veneficus]

It looks specific to the role of the EM physician, not general resuscitation guidlines.

For AHA minimal interruption and high quality CPR is the biggest requirement, intubation is considered much father down the line, and reversible causes have all but been forgotten.

 

[ExpatMedic0]

Just an update on this. I received a box in the mail today with 2 inflatable mini rescue Annie's (1 adult 1 peds) 2 BVM's(1 adult 1 peds) and 1 mini pocket scaled trainer AED, with life size patches and battery's. This looks like it will be fun haha, I wonder how this will go over Skype on the webcam for practical evaluation...

 

[ExpatMedic0]

I passed my written test last week and I did my practical exam on the webcam today in front of the instructor. We did a standard Mega code skills situation, also a CPR/AED station, and a Airway Breathing station. I also had to do around 15-20 rythem strip's with verbal treatments (like the static cardiology section on the NREMT) He watches you on the webcam and has all the skill sheets infront of him, writing down comments and checking things off as you go, just like in person.

At the end of the day, having completed eACLS, I have the following to say about it. Its about the same as 2005 AHA ACLS with some 2010 changes. It has not completely updated to the 2010 AHA guidelines from what I can see. Your still taught to give atropine and lidocaine where those things are no longer indicated in certain procedures anymore. Intubation is stressed early on, but some new material was implemented into the eACLS I was surprised about, such as Fibrinoltic Therapy: I was actually quizzed on the Alteplase (tPA) dose and indication/contraindication. Stroke scale also seemed to be updated to me. My proctor also updated me on the 2010 AHA ACLS polices and how a few of them differ from the current eACLS policies, so I have both sets of information.

The thing is this, if your not able to get your AHA ACLS card for whatever reason (because your in Iraq, Afghanistan, Foreign exchange student in Europe, whatever) This will get you the required card you need for re certification at the NREMT or your state agency if they approve other ACLS that are CECBEMS accredited. Its accepted the same as AHA ACLS 2010. The entire thing is done completely online.