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Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Courses (ACLS) of the American Heart Association (AHA)

The American Heart Association's (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) course is a challenging training program that focuses on advanced lifesaving skills for critical cardiovascular emergencies. The course is aimed at healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, ambulance staff and other healthcare providers who may be confronted with cardiovascular disease in emergency situations.

Here are some key aspects of the AHA’s ACLS course:

  1. Course content: The ACLS course provides comprehensive knowledge and skills related to the treatment of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and other acute cardiac events. This includes topics such as heart attacks, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and asystole.
  2. Practical skills: The course includes practical training where participants practise basic life-saving skills such as the use of automated external defibrillators (AED), endotracheal intubation, intravenous access and the administration of medication.
  3. Teamwork: One focus is on promoting effective teamwork in an emergency. Participants learn how to act in a coordinated manner as a team in order to make quick and precise decisions.
  4. Case-based learning: The ACLS course integrates case-based learning in which participants act out realistic emergency scenarios. This enables them to apply their knowledge in practical situations.
  5. Certification: Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a certification confirming the skills and knowledge acquired in the field of advanced cardiovascular life support. This certification is usually valid for a certain period of time and AHA recommends regular refresher courses.

The AHA’s ACLS course plays a critical role in educating healthcare professionals to ensure efficient and effective care for patients with acute cardiovascular disease.

Goal

After successfully completing this course, course participants should have mastered the following learning objectives:

  • Recognize the circumstances of impending cardiac arrest that may lead to cardiac arrest or complicate resuscitation and initiate early management
  • Master basic resuscitation measures, including the priority role of chest compressions and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED)
  • Recognizing and treating respiratory arrest
  • Recognize and care for patients in cardiac arrest until the resuscitation attempt is terminated or the patient is handed over, including emergency care after cardiac arrest
  • Recognize and treat patients with acute coronary syndrome at an early stage, including appropriate transfer
  • Recognizing and treating a stroke at an early stage, including transfer
  • Demonstrate communication skills as a member or leader of a resuscitation team and understand the role that team dynamics play in the success of collaborative work

Contents

  • BLS triage – basic resuscitation measures (Basic Life Support)
  • High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • ACLS sighting
  • ACLS algorithms
  • Effective teamwork during resuscitation
  • Emergency care for cardiac arrest
  • Treatment in the post-resuscitation phase (ROSC)

Target group

Doctors, nursing staff with additional training and paramedics

Max. Number of participants

24

Accreditation

SGC: 4 credits / SGI: 16 credits / SGAIM: 14 credits / SGNOR: 16 credits / SSAPM: 16 credits / SGK: 15 credits / E-Log: 15 credits

Price

CHF 990.00

Dates & registration

Responsible Department

Simulation Center