Acls?

[ohbet]

I work at a mostly LTC facility,therefore most of our residents are no code ,howerver we do have a few adult,adolescent and sometimes ped. admits,who are code patients. We also have a clinic,which serves the rural community,and we get an occasional code from this population.

Ive learned recently,from a floor nurse, all liscensed staff are to be ACLS certified,however I have not confirmed this with administration but many nurses have been going to ACLS classes in the past year.

Is it reasonable to require liscensed staff to be ACLS certified in the type of facility I work at? And in fact can you require liscensed staff to be ACLS certified?

If I was doing Emergency Nursing I could see that ACLS would be a obvious expectation,but not where I work because after all,if you dont use it you lose it.

What do you all think?

[MPHkatie]

I guess it would not seem reasonable to require it, I think if the organization wants you to have it, they should pay for it. Personally, I gotta say if my child were a patient there, I would surely want at least one RN certified in ACLS- and even PALS even if you don't use it, usually you recall some of it during a critical time. This is especially true if you don't always have an MD or someone to run a code there 24-7.

But yes, surely they can require ACLS, by making it a requirement of the job, just liek they make being able to lift 50 pounds a requirement of some jobs.

[MQ Edna]

If you have ANY viable persons, I definitely think ACLS should be an expectation. (Of course, I'm an ACLS instructor so I'm probably a little prejudiced.). If you think about the length of time to ambulance response, ACLS should increase your knowledge and your ability to respond appropriately (and your comfort level!). ACLS classes (at least the ones I teach at) are no longer a ruthless, student-eating experience. They can be exciting, fulfilling and FUN. As with all things, though, ACLS is a use-it-or-lose-it thing. If you question whether you'll be able to keep your rhythm-analysis skills up, encourage your facility to get an over-rideable (?sp) AED (one that does the initial analysis, but will allow you to visualize the rhythm and override if you don't agree with the machine's actions). Best of luck!

[rnor]

I really hve a problem with ACLS, especially when the use it or lose thing comes into play....that does not qualify you (the nurse) to run a code, who is to say what you remember and if you have the right protocol for the arrhythmia?

[nursemicke]

Do they even have a difibrilator in the faucility? I took ACLS. It was useless in LTC. I can't even spell, time to go to bed.

[nightingale, RN]

Often, credentialing, makes "the facility" look good. It may be for that purpose.

It does look good on your resume too.

I have been ACLS for almost two years (oh no time to renew) and have NEVER really used it (other then hang a bag of lidocaine). At the Heart Hospital, where all nurses are required to have ACLS, only the house supervisor, CCU Nurse, or a Dr. would lead a code.

I would NEVER lead a code without a lot more training and directly lead clinical experience.

B.

[Jay Levan]

:angryfire

Do they even have a difibrilator in the faucility? I took ACLS. It was useless in LTC. I can't even spell, time to go to bed.