PALS certification

Oct 06, 2009 07:27 AM

by Sara5229

I've seen some online courses for ACLS and PALS certification... anyone know if these are acceptable? Also, if I wanted to take an in person PALS course where do I find out about one? I'm in Oklahoma

FanofCamo · Nov 02, 2009, 04:24 AM

Re: PALS certification

The link that I saw the other day said to contact the local american heart association. I too am looking into this course but just now started looking. I have even thought about contacting the local fire school since they also teach paramedics.

auburngirl95 · Nov 09, 2009, 09:39 AM

Re: PALS certification

Try Critical Concepts. Not sure if they have a program in your area.

I am taking their class in Dec in FL

*chare* · Nov 09, 2009, 12:52 PM

Re: PALS certification

First, there are no official or preferred ACLS or PALS programs that satisfy the Joint Commission (JC) requirement. Joint Commission standard PC.02.01.11: Resuscitation services are available throughout the hospital lists the following as one of the elements of performance: “An evidenced-based training program(s) is used to train staff to recognize the need for and use of resuscitation equipment and techniques.”

Using this standard, each facility is free to determine which program or programs that they will use to satisfy this requirement. Some facilities are specific as to which program they will accept (i.e. only American Heart Association (AHA) or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), etc.) while others will accept any program as long as it is compliant with the 2005 AHA Guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiovascular care (ECC).

Second, the AHA does not “sanction” or “approve” ACLS or PALS courses. They did publish the 2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) from which they then developed their courses. My personal opinion is that this is the reason that many facilities exclusively accept only AHA courses, not that the courses are any better or worse than some of the other programs that have subsequently been developed, as long as the course is compliant with the 2005 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC.

In addition to the AHA, there are at least two other organizations that have developed ACLS training programs, the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), American Medical Resource Institute, PALS Course and eACLS. These courses are offered in a variety of formats: traditional, blended, and online.

Using the traditional format, you go to a training center and spend 12 - 16 hours watching videos, doing skills review and evaluation, and complete the written test. At the end of the program you receive a course completion/certification card. This is probably what most people are familiar with.

The blended format is exactly that, it is a combination of both online and classroom training. In a blended program you will complete the cognitive/didactic portion on line, as well as complete the written test on line. Upon completion of the test you print out your course completion form to take to an instructor where you then complete the skills review and testing portion. Upon completion of the skills review/testing you are issued your course completion/certification card. There is generally no distinction between completion of either a traditional or blended course.

Online courses, as the name implies, are offered totally online. These programs consist only of the cognitive/didactic portion, without a skills review/testing. Personally, I would not take an online course without skills review/testing as some facilities might not consider this to satisfy JC standard PC.02.01.11.

The AHA offers both ACLS and PALS training courses. Advanced cardiac life support is offered in both the traditional as well as blended e-learning ACLS format. Pediatric advanced life support is currently offered only in the traditional format, however a blended e-learning PALS format is being developed. Information regarding locating a testing center for AHA E-Learning ACLS, or finding a traditional ACLS or PALS program can be located using the AHA ECC Course Connector.

The American Safety and Health Institute offers both ASHI ACLS and ASHI PALS. Presently, both of these courses are only offered in the traditional format, however their Online Courses indicates that they are presently looking at developing some form of either blended or online programs. Information regarding locating an ASHI testing center can be located using the ASHI Training Center Locator.

eACLS is a collaboration between the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and Bartlett Jones publishing. They currently offer the eACLS Course. The eACLS Course can be taken totally online for continuing education credits only, or in either a traditional or blended format which results in receipt of a course completion card. Information regarding locating an eACLS testing center can be located using the eACLS Education Center.

The American Medical Resource Institute offers online ACLS and PALS programs, and PALS Course offers online PALS.

I hope this information was helpful.

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PALS certification

PALS certification

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