Advanced Life Support Provider Course
      General information

Objective
 
The ALS course aims to teach the theory and practical skills to effectively manage cardiorespiratory arrest, peri-arrest situations and special circumstances, and to prepare senior members of a multidisciplinary team to treat the patient until transfer to a critical care area is possible.

Who the course is suitable for
 
This course is designed for healthcare professionals who would be expected to apply the skills taught as part of their clinical duties, or to teach them on a regular basis. Appropriate participants include doctors and nurses working in critical care areas (e.g. A&E, CCU, ICU, HDU, operating theatres, medical admissions units) or on the cardiac arrest / medical emergency team and paramedics. All applicants should hold a current clinical appointment and professional healthcare qualification.

Pre-course preparation
 
The course comprises lectures, practical skill stations, workshops and assessments. The manual is sent to the candidate one month before the course date and the candidate is strongly advised to study this thoroughly before completing a pre-course multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ). This MCQ must be handed in, with the question paper, on arrival at the course centre. This pre-course assessment provides a baseline measure upon which new learning can be evaluated and it should be completed without reference to the manual.

Competence in cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an essential prerequisite to the course.

Lectures
 
     Advanced Life Support in Perspective
     Causes and Prevention of Cardiac Arrest
     Acute Coronary Syndromes
     ALS Treatment Algorithm
     Post Resuscitation Care

Skill Stations and Workshops 
 
     Airway Management
     Monitoring, Rhythm Recognition and 12-lead ECG
     Initial Assessment and Resuscitation
     Tachycardias and bradycardias
     Blood Gases
     Cardiac Arrest in Special Circumstances
     Cardiac Arrest Management (CASTeach)

Discussion 
 
     Ethics / Legal aspects / DNAR

Demonstration 
 
An experienced faculty will give a teaching demonstration. This introduces the concept of role-play and simulated cardiac arrest management, assessment of the critically ill patient, shockable / non-shockable algorithms, positive critiquing, and team leadership skills.

Assessments
 
Assessments are based on clinical scenarios that allow the candidate to effectively demonstrate the core competencies that have been taught on the course.

An MCQ paper is taken on the last day.

 

 
 
 

	© Resuscitation Council (UK)  2006   This page last updated: 31 March 2006