Thank you for choosing Iridia Medical for your Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training. Since 1998, Iridia Medical has taken the lead in ACLS programs in British Columbia, delivering ACLS courses across the province to thousands of health professionals. This is an exciting time to be involved with ACLS as the 2010 guidelines are incorporated into this intensive and enjoyable learning experience. We strive to deliver a course that incorporates the best in adult education. This pre-course package gives you the information you ll need to prepare for the course, and outlines what you can expect from the learning experience.
Dear ACLS-A Student, Please read through the enclosed package to help prepare for the ACLS-Anesthesia course. Experienced ACLS instructors will help facilitate your ACLS success. The following resources are used in the course: The ACLS Provider Manual ACLS & Emergency Cardiovascular Care 2011 Essentials (Adult BLS & ACLS Algorithms) Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Providers (2010) Anesthesia Advanced Circulatory Life Support (2012) The ACLS cases presented during the course require students to be constantly thinking and analyzing. This course will enable each student to strengthen existing skills as well as increase knowledge, confidence and expertise when dealing with cardiovascular emergencies. Feel free to contact us if we can be of any assistance. Founder Iridia Medical
The ACLS-Anesthesia course aims to prepare health care professionals to direct and participate in the management of cardiovascular emergencies experienced by adults. The purpose of this course is to improve patient outcomes by providing health care professionals knowledge and skills to identify and manage cardio-respiratory emergencies, acute coronary syndromes and strokes. Through instructional training and hands-on participation in simulated cases, students will develop their clinical decision making skills to effectively diagnose and treat cardiopulmonary arrest, acute arrhythmia, acute coronary syndromes and strokes. Students are taught to use the following important concepts: Basic Life Support (BLS) survey High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) ACLS Surveys ACLS algorithms Effective resuscitation team dynamics Immediate post-cardiac arrest care Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. You will be practicing skills that require working on your hands and knees, bending, standing, and lifting. If you have physical conditions that might prevent you from participating in the course, please advise the instructor when you arrive. The instructor will work to accommodate your needs within the stated course completion requirements.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will have demonstrated the ability to: 1. Recognize and initiate early management of peri-arrest conditions that may result in cardiac arrest or complicate resuscitation outcome. 2. Demonstrate proficiency in providing BLS care, including prioritizing chest compressions and integrating Automatic External Defibrillator use. 3. Recognize and manage respiratory arrest. 4. Recognize and manage cardiac arrest until return of spontaneous circulation, termination of resuscitation, or transfer of care, including immediate post-arrest care. 5. Recognize and initiate early management of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), including appropriate disposition. 6. Recognize and initiate early management of stroke, including appropriate disposition. 7. Demonstrate effective communication as a member or leader of a resuscitation team and recognize the impact of team dynamics on overall team performance. The ACLS course is designed for healthcare professionals who are required to perform ACLS as part of their scope of practice. Students must be able to perform high-quality CPR and use an AED according to 2010 guidelines. For students to best prepare themselves to achieve the objectives of the course, they should begin studying the ACLS Provider Manual and Anesthesia Advanced Circulatory Life Support (2012) at least two weeks in advance. Students must have a basic knowledge and understanding of: BLS skills Electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm interpretation for core ACLS rhythms Knowledge of airway management and adjuncts Basic ACLS drug and pharmacology knowledge Practical application of ACLS rhythms and drugs Effective team resuscitation concepts
: This is the required study guide for the course. This book applies new ACLS concepts to realistic situations and includes sections on all of the skill and knowledge requirements listed in the objectives. Also included are a quick reference guide and reminder cards, and two ACLS pocket reference cards. : Highly recommended by our Instructors as a real-life reference tool, this pocket sized, detailed manual can be used at any time during the course and on the job. : This summary document, included with your course package, provides an organized guide for responding to cardiac emergencies. These essentials identify the core concepts of the course, while the manuals provide reference material for the algorithms. Pre-reading material may be purchased or downloaded from, www.iridiamedical.com To successfully complete the course, students must: Demonstrate competency in BLS knowledge and skills. Students will be tested on Bag-Mask Ventilation and CPR/AED skills. Demonstrate competency in ACLS knowledge and skills through their performance during case scenarios. Pass the closed-book, 50 question multiple-choice exam, with a minimum score of 84%. If the student is unsuccessful in demonstrating BLS/ACLS practical knowledge and skills during a testable case scenario or do not achieve 84% on the written exam, they will be offered a second attempt at the end of the course. If either the second attempts are unsuccessful, arrangements can be made with Iridia Medical to participate in further training courses and to repeat the evaluation process