People s hearts stop beating every day. For many people this cessation of pulse is premature - their hearts should be too good to die. Resuscitative efforts can restore these hearts to spontaneous activity before the brain has been permanently injured. The core purpose of emergency cardiac care is to provide effective care as soon as possible to these hearts that have stopped beating. Rapid restoration of a spontaneously beating heart produces the best chance of achieving the ultimate goal - a thinking, feeling, healthy human being"
The above quote from chapter 1 of the ACLS manual sums up the goals of the ACLS course - to reduce death and disability from cardiovascular emergencies by providing healthcare professionals with guidelines and information on resuscitation.
The knowledge and skills obtained on the ACLS course include:
Airway Management and Endotracheal Intubation
Non-Invasive airway techniques and devices
recovery position
nasal cannulae
venturi masks
barrier devices for ventilation
oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal devices
pocket face masks
bag-valve mask ventilation
cricoid pressure
Techniques of administering oxygen
oxygen cylinders
cricothyrotomy
transtracheal catheter ventilation
Endotracheal intubation
orally
nasally
tracheobronchial suctioning
tracheo-oesophageal obturator devices
The Major ACLS Emergency Conditions
respiratory arrest
ventricular fibrillation and Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
pulseless electrical activity
asystole
bradycardias
tachycardias
acute myocardial infarction
hypotension/shock and acute pulmonary oedema
Electrical Therapy
defibrillation with automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
defibrillation with conventional defibrillators
use of the defibrillator as a cardiac monitor
synchronised cardioversion
transcutaneous pacing
Intravenous and Invasive Theraputic and Monitoring Techniques
peripheral lines
central lines
pericardiocentesis
needle thoracostomy
ECG Rhythms
Lethal Arrythmias
ventricular fibrillation
ventricular tachycardia
asystole
pulseless electrical activity
Normal sinus rhythm
Bradycardias
sinus bradycardia
trioventricular blocks
Tachycardias
sinus tachycardia
atrial tachycardia with various degrees of block
atrial fibrillation
atrial flutter
paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
wide-complex tachycardias
Premature ventricular complexes
ECG criteria for acute ischaemia, injury and infarction
Pacemaker spikes
Artifact from lead detachment, movement or electrical interference
Special Resuscitation Situations
stroke
hypothermia
drowning and near-drowning
cardiac arrest associated with trauma v
electricution and lightning
cardiac arrest associated with pregnancy
drug overdosage
Course Details 2005
The ACLS course is a 2 day intense, practical and interactive training session. Participants are required to pass the ACLS pre-entry test before certification as an ACLS provider. Extensive knowledge of the American Heart Association s current Textbook of Advanced Cardiac Life Support, particularly Chapter 1, is essential to pass this pre-test. A current BLS certificate obtained in the previous 12 months is a prerequisite for the course. A 5 hour Healthcare Provider BLS course is always held on the afternoon prior to the ACLS course for anyone without a current BLS certificate.
Refresher courses are required every 2 years in order to maintain registration with the Resuscitation Council.
This course is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa for CPD points.
The current prices are as follows: R 750 for BLS and R 2450.00 for ACLS
Payment must be made no later than 6 weeks prior to a course in order to confirm the place on the course.
Banking Details
Standard Bank (Parktown) Branch Number: 035544 Account Number: 200474707 Type of Account: Cheque
Course Dates 2006
April 1-3
May 6-8
June 3-5
July 1-3
August 12-14
September 2-4
September 30-2 October
November 4-6
December 2-4
Contact Information
Contact Serah van Vuuren for bookings ACLS Course Coordinator Johannesburg Hospital Trauma Unit Postnet Suite 235 Private Bag X 2600 Houghton 2041 E-mail: trauma@mweb.co.za Tel: 27-11-488-3373 Fax: 27-11-433-4322
