Every 5 years the AHA puts out new science guidelines and updates their administration guidelines as well as updating the look of the cards. This year the Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers class, better known as BLS for HCP, also got a name change. The AHA felt that the term “Healthcare Provider” could be both exclusory and confusing. So the new name is just Basic Life Support or BLS. You will see this change on our calendar in the coming weeks. Don’t be alarmed if your new BLS card looks a little different, ITS LEGIT!
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Online HeartCode® BLS
The Heart Center is now proud to offer AHA’s HeartCode®BLS web-based certification. The 3 part course targets healthcare providers that prefer a self-directed alternative to learning Basic Life Support, and delivers its content through eSimulation, where students will interact in real-time with virtual critical patient scenarios.
About Heartcode® BLS
Part 1 of the course is taught online in an interactive format. After completion, parts 2 and 3 (skills practice and testing) will be conducted by an authorized AHA BLS instructor for the completion of the certification. You will be supplied with a pocket mask and bag-mask device to practice responding to emergency situations, which helps to prepare you to respond correctly if a real emergency occurs in the future. A demo is available at AHA.org.
HeartCode®BLS prerequisites are minimal, as this certification is typically earned for educational purposes or for employment qualification. This course is a great fit for healthcare providers that prefer the online format to a classroom, for either their initial or renewal BLS certification.
Course Breakdown for Part 1
• 14 BLS videos and 2 tutorials
• 5 interactive eSimulation patient cases in critical conditions
• Multiple choice 25 question exam testing cognitive knowledge
• Test will immediately alert to incorrect answers and refer to appropriate section
Key changes in Basic Life Support reflecting 2010 AHA Guidelines will be covered. The class is not only for nurses, physicians, and EMS responders – college students and allied health professionals such as physical therapist can also sign up.
Online HeartCode® PALS
Heartcode® PALS is one of three courses offered by The Heart Center to satisfy an AHA certification. This particular course aids healthcare providers when developing knowledge and skills necessary to properly evaluate and manage seriously ill infants and children.
About HeartCode® PALS
Amongst key changes to the 2010 AHA guidelines, healthcare professionals can anticipate learning to explain the importance of effective team dynamics during resuscitation and applying appropriate cardio respiratory monitoring. Upon completion, students will be able to describe the timely recognition and interventions required to prevent respiratory and cardiac arrest in pediatric patients.
While there are no prerequisites for taking this online class, you should have a mastery of infant and child BLS skills and be able to identify heart rhythms and different types of airway management tools. It is helpful to be familiar with drugs commonly used to treat cardiovascular irregularities.
Course Breakdown for Part 1
• 12 Interactive, pediatric, hospital-based scenarios using eSimulation
• Debriefing and coaching after each simulation
• Multiple choice 33-question exams to test cognitive knowledge.
• Program will immediately identify incorrect answers and provide a hyperlink to the appropriate section
This course has been approved for 11.74 contact clinical hours for nurses by the Emergency Nurses Association, and 12.00 advanced CEHs for Emergency Medical Services by the AHA.
HeartCode® PALS is a suitable alternative for physicians, nurses, and healthcare members who prefer self-directed learning and are first responders to the care of pediatric patients. Personnel in emergency response, intensive care and critical care units will also find the course beneficial.
Online HeartCode® ACLS
HeartCode® ACLS is a web-based course targeted for healthcare professionals who are first responders to cardio related emergencies. In a non-classroom environment, this program builds on the foundation of lifesaving BLS. It also stresses the importance of advanced life support skills and team management and communication through interactive scenarios. Students can return to the course as many times as they like over a two year period to refresh their skills or to access the current ACLS Provider Manual which is included with the purchase.
About HeartCode® ACLS
Part 1 of the course covers key changes to the 2010 AHA guidelines. The modifications will mainly reflect resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Students will learn recognition and early management of respiratory and cardiac arrest, periarrest conditions, and airway management. Students will also learn to effectively communicate as a part of a resuscitation team.
Course Breakdown for Part 1
• 10 interactive adult patient cases presented by eSimulation
• Debriefing and coaching after each simulation
• Multiple choice 50 question exam testing cognitive knowledge
• Up to 10.25 hours of continuing education credit
Parts 2 and 3 (skills practice and testing session) will be completed with an AHA ACLS Instructor or by using a voice assisted manikin system. Be sure to bring your printed certificate from Part 1 to the skills session.
HeartCode® ACLS requires prior knowledge of applying algorithms. Be able to identify ECG rhythms and know pharmacology related to cardiopulmonary arrest before beginning the online program. A pre-course self-assessment is offered to help prepare you for HeartCode® ACLS.
The Heart Center AHA Online Classes
We are pleased to announce The Heart Center is now offering three American Heart Association classes online. Heartcode® is the only set of AHA online courses and we are glad to have it. Each Heartcode® class consists of three parts. The first sections allow you to complete certification while working at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. They are interactive realistic situations powered by e-simulation technology. If you live outside of the DC metro area or want to cut time and gas, our virtual classes are convenient and satisfy AHA certification and continuing education requirements.
The first sections of Heartcode® courses include a self-directed tutorial and virtual realistic critical health situations. To complete certification for this part, the student will respond, assess, and treat patients using real time decision making. You can register for either or all of these classes in 3 steps on healthtrainingcenter.com
Heartcode® BLS helps physicians, nurses, EMS professionals, med students, and allied health professionals to renew or complete BLS certification using an alternative method. Upon passing the online written test, a hands-on test including CPR and bag mask test with an AHA BALS instructor is required.
Heartcode® ACLS lessons assist healthcare professionals participating in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest and other cardiovascular emergencies. Upon passing part 1, students will work with an AHA ACLS instructor or voice assisted manikin.
Heartcode® PALS features 12 interactive realistic hospital pediatric situations in addition to a cognitive portion. Coaching will follow the simulations. Lessons on preventing cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children are also included. Following is a hands-on skills session with an AHA PALS instructor. It is recommended that students already possess the ability to apply the PALS algorithms to effect treatment prior to taking this course.
Video and help documents can be accessed from the main screen anytime during the lessons. Parts 2 and 3 will be completed in one skills session with an AHA instructor specializing in each respective field. The classes will cover changes in basic life support, reflecting new knowledge from the 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. In three easy steps on our website you can achieve AHA certification and an AHA card at your own pace.