Is ACLS necessary for all staff members??

[w123illow]

We process approximatley 430 staff throught ACLS in a year. I am wondering if they all actually require it? I know the ICU/CCU , ED, PACU, Cath Lab staff and stepdown cardiac all do but I am now seeing Pharmacists and have heard staff in L/D will soon need it as well. Cath lab staff tell me the techs need it as well as the RN's

We then get the staff nurse on the med / surg and other units looking to transfer to ICU/ CCU taking it as a stepping stone.

MY concern is if you don't use it you lose it....

I am thinking about running classes for the staff nurse above CPR but below ACLS to make them comfortable on the units, improve assessment skills, interventions and have the ability to handle a code in the first 2 minutes until the team arrives.

This alone would probably cut down my class participation by about 200

I believe it is the hospital that says who needs ACLS or is there another governing body that does it... nothing in JCAHO?

Any information or opinions will be appreciated....

[GilaRRT]

No, I have worked at other facilities where pharmacy responds to codes. It still amazes me that so many people think ACLS certifies you to perform advanced level interventions. ACLS is nothing more than a review of the current AHA recommendations. It is in no way a substitute for education and validation of emergency cardiac care knowledge, interventions, and pharmacology.

With that, why not have floor nurses to take the class? I hate to disappoint; however, ACLS is not specific to critical care or ER providers. ACLS is not an advanced course. Again, people will still need frequent education and validation of core BLS techniques and ALS techniques. This should include frequent code drills and simulations.

[PageRespiratory!]

.....................Its not even in their scope of practice to push meds during a code, unless you are an RN, NP, or MD........

>

You forgot a few letters in there.

[woknblues]

A pharmacist is part of our code team, they draw up the meds for the nurse to push. Might be a pediatric hospital thing.

Wow. I am surprised to hear this, that a pharmacist is on hand, nearby enough, and able to respond quick enough to be considered part of the team. I guess every facility has their own protocols. And why not for training sake, learn it? If you can afford to train everyone, do it I guess.

No, I have worked at other facilities where pharmacy responds to codes. It still amazes me that so many people think ACLS certifies you to perform advanced level interventions. ACLS is nothing more than a review of the current AHA recommendations. It is in no way a substitute for education and validation of emergency cardiac care knowledge, interventions, and pharmacology.

With that, why not have floor nurses to take the class? I hate to disappoint; however, ACLS is not specific to critical care or ER providers. ACLS is not an advanced course. Again, people will still need frequent education and validation of core BLS techniques and ALS techniques. This should include frequent code drills and simulations.

My ACLS included plenty of coverage of heart function, ECG interpretation, airway management and drug administration. I doubt if I would have been comfortable with learning ACLS without understanding as much as I know now, as compared to when I took BLS in a completely unrelated field, a few years ago.

Not arguing, just giving my own experience.

[GilaRRT]

Then your class included additional information. The core ACLS material and course does not cover many specifics. It assumes you are well versed in your scope of practice and abilities. A more advanced ACLS course called ACLS EP does exist; however, it is not relavant to the current discussion. I stand by my prior statements. ACLS does not teach you core knowledge. It simply helps us understand how to better apply our knowledge using current recommendations based on science. ACLS does not certify us as competent intubators, XII lead experts, or interventional specialists.

[RXtech]

Most of the pharmacists at our hospital have ACLS and go to the codes.