Emergency training required...= ACLS?

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Specializes in Mostly: Occup Health; ER; Informatics.

The new Medicare rules for dialysis units state "Ensuring that nursing staff are

properly trained in the use of emergency equipment and emergency drugs.

(2) Emergency preparedness patient training. The facility must provide

appropriate orientation and training to patients, including the areas specified in

paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section.

(3) Emergency equipment. Emergency equipment, including, but not limited

to, oxygen, airways, suction, defibrillator or automated external

defibrillator, artificial resuscitator, and emergency drugs, must be on the

premises at all times and immediately available."

(page 110 on http://www.esrdnetwork.org/assets/pdf/news/CMSConditionsFor%20Coverage04-15-08.pdf )

This sounds a lot like ACLS certification and hospital-type code-blue carts.

Do you have these now?

Does your company currently require RNs to be ACLS certified?

Will ACLS for RNs be required after October 14?

:confused:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

It says as a minimum you must be CPR certified. I know this is something I just brought up at a meeting and was pretty much told CPR is enough. Emergency drugs is very broad too - does this mean D50, NTG, oxygen - all of which we have or does it mean atropine, lidocaine, calcium, etc.? And...then with an AED (itsy bitsy screen) and no way to look at a different lead, well what would the basis be to give emergency drugs?

So....I guess CPR only is the way to go. Personally, I'm an ACLS instructor but I'm the only mid-level that is....

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Specializes in Critical Care, Acute Dialysis.

I've been ACLS certified for several years now....new to dialysis and actually work in an acute care setting so we are all required to be ACLS certified. I am not sure about how it would work in an outpatient setting but definitely believe it should be required for inpt/acute settings.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Totally agree GAnurse - in the acute setting definitely yes. In the outpatient setting, probably not. Thanks for the input.

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Specializes in LTC, FP office, Med/Surg, ICU, Dialysis.

In our outpatient clinic, we have a "crash cart" that really doesn't have anything. Although, we do have an AED available but that's pretty much it. If something happens we do CPR and call 911.

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Specializes in LTC, FP office, Med/Surg, ICU, Dialysis.

So....I guess CPR only is the way to go. Personally, I'm an ACLS instructor but I'm the only mid-level that is....

traumaRUs, what do you mean by "mid-level?"

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Sorry - midlevel = advanced practice nurse or physician assistant.

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