2018 Focused Updates for ACLS and PALS

Dear AHA Training Network & Volunteers, Today, in cooperation with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), the AHA published the 2018 AHA Focused Updates on Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (2018 Focused Updates). The 2018 Focused Updates represent our move to a continuous evidence evaluation process and more frequent focused updates. Continuous evidence evaluation allows the rigor of a comprehensive review and expert consensus in as close to real time as possible. Prior to 2017, the official AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC had been updated every five years. Updates include the following: Amiodarone or lidocaine may be considered for Ventricular Fibrillation/pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (VF/pVT) that is unresponsive to defibrillation. These drugs may be particularly useful for patients with witnessed arrest, for whom time to drug administration may be shorter. Lidocaine has been added to the ACLS Cardiac Arrest Algorithm and the ACLS Cardiac Arrest Circular Algorithm for treatment of shock-refractory VF/pVT. The routine use of Magnesium for cardiac arrest is not recommended in adult patients. Magnesium may be considered for torsades de pointes (i.e., polymorphic VT associated with long QT interval).   There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the routine use of a β-blocker early (within the first hour) after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).   There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the routine use of lidocaine early (within the first hour) after ROSC. In the absence of contraindications, the prophylactic use of lidocaine may be considered in specific circumstances (such as during emergency medical services transport) when treatment of recurrent VF/pVT might prove to be challenging.   While there are no changes to the depiction of sequences and therapies from the 2015 PALS algorithm, some minor edits have been made to the PALS Cardiac Arrest Algorithm in 2018 to be consistent with language in the ACLS Cardiac Arrest Algorithm. For the 2018 Focused Updates, there will be no changes to products and no new materials are required. However, the AHA offers the following guidance for training ACLS and PALS providers: Instructors may allow students to practice using either amiodarone or lidocaine during CPR in ACLS, ACLS EP, and PALS courses, consistent with the student’s local protocol. For testing purposes, AHA Instructors will continue to use the ACLS and PALS Skills Testing Checklists and the Skills Testing Critical Skills Descriptors. For more information, AHA Instructors should visit the AHA Instructor Network (News & Archives section) to review the document, “2018 Focused Updates: Implications for Training ACLS and PALS Providers,” and the FAQ. International users also may view translated tools at cprverify.org. To view the 2018 Focused Updates and the highlights of the 2018 Focused Updates, please visit the ECC Guidelines website. Thank you for everything you do to contribute to the mission of saving lives. Sincerely, AHA CPR & ECC

qCPR Requirement - Reminder

This is a reminder that all adult CPR manikins are required to have feedback by January 31st, 2019. We have started the process of purchasing upgrade kits for our manikins at F-M Ambulance. In doing so, we have found that there is already a significant delay in shipment. I recommend ordering upgrade kits or replacement manikins sooner rather than later.


I have placed links to qCPR distributors on the main page of our blog (on the left side panel). You can follow this link to read more about the requirements.


Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions. I will be more than happy to assist you. This is a big change for all.


Tyler DeKrey
AHA/NAEMT Coordinator, EVDT
Sanford Health EMS Education
701-364-1729
tyler.dekrey@sanfordhealth.org




Goodbye Paper Cards

F-M Ambulance TC Members,




We have completed the renewal process for our Training Center. This means that we are no longer allowed to issue paper course completion cards.


Please destroy any remaining, unused paper cards you may have. The AHA will no longer accept them from our TC.




Here is a link to a form that you can hand out to students: eCard Instruction Form

• This will walk them through the process of claiming their eCard.
• This form can also be found under the 'eCard Information' tab.

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding eCards. I will be more than happy to help.




Thank you,


Tyler DeKrey
AHA/NAEMT Coordinator
Sanford Health EMS Education
tyler.dekrey@sanfordhealth.org
701-364-1729

December 15, 2017

Dear F-M Ambulance TC Members,

It’s hard to believe that it is already Training Center (TC) renewal time!  If you are interested in continuing with us, you will need to register to attend one (1) of the upcoming renewal session dates that can be found on Sanford Success Center.  Be sure to select the appropriate session for the instructor discipline(s) that you will be renewing.  Some dates will be covering BLS ONLY and some will cover ALS (ACLS & PALS) in addition to BLS. 

If you will be renewing for BLS Only you may register here. 

If you will be renewing BLS, ACLS and/or PALS you may register here.

At your renewal session, you will complete the following: pay your dues ($65.00 per instructor); update your instructor profile; complete an instructor agreement; successfully complete the discipline(s) specific written exam(s); successfully perform discipline specific provider skills; and complete device specific training.  Instructors will also be conducting the provider skills evaluation of a peer to allow the Training Center Faculty the opportunity to monitor instructor performance.

Prior to attending your session, please log into the AHA Instructor Network, www.ahainstructornetwork.org, and verify that your instructor and contact information is up-to-date.  If you do not remember your username and/or password you will need to contact the Technical Support for the American Heart Association and they will assist you.

Just a reminder that the price of eCards has changed: $6.50 per BLS eCard; $18.50 per Heartsaver eCard; and $8.25 per ACLS/PALS eCard.

All instructors are required to attend a renewal session.  If you do not attend a renewal session you will not have access to the online database and we will assume that you no longer want to be affiliated with the  Sanford Health EMS Education TC.

Thank you,

Kelly Wanzek                                 Carmen Wang                                  Ron Lawler
Training Center Coordinator          Training Center Support                  Director of Education
701.364.1750                                  701.364.1758                                   701.364.1754
kelly.wanzek@sanfordhealth.org   carmen.wang@sanfordhealth.org    ron.lawler@sanfordhealth.org

AHA Price Increase

10/3/2017

Dear Training Center Instructors,

It is with extreme disappointment in the American Heart Association that I must inform you of an immediate increase in all Heartsaver level provider eCards.  The increase from $6.50 per eCard to $18.50 per eCard will be effective immediately, October 3, 2017. 

We were notified this morning at 8:31am through an email from the American Heart Association that this change would take place effective immediately.  We received no warning or even rumor that this would be occurring.

I am including the email notification that we received:

            Dear US AHA Training Network who deliver Heartsaver Courses,

We are excited to implement changes designed to enhance the quality and value of our programs and services as we continually strive to better serve students by giving them increased access to the AHA's Heartsaver student workbooks, eBooks, and online courses.

What You Need to Know
Beginning October 3, 2017, the AHA's suggested retail price (SRP) of the Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, CPR AED, First Aid, and Pediatric First Aid CPR AED student course completion cards/eCards will be increased, while the SRP of related student online courses and student workbooks/eBooks will be reduced. The shift is designed to make the student workbooks more accessible as a valuable reference tool before, during, and after training as required by the AHA Program Administration Manual.

Because of the unique characteristics of the AHA's non-healthcare (or lay provider) Training Network in the United States, the changes are confined to Heartsaver English student materials only.

The course curriculum will remain the same, and will continue to adhere to the 2015 AHA Guidelines Update for CPR and ECC.

We are currently exploring alternative options for the delivery of lay rescuer level courses.  Until a comparable, cost effective alternative can be found, we will continue to offer the Heartsaver level courses through the American Heart Association. 

At this time the AHA has stated that “these changes are for Heartsaver/lay rescuer products only.  At this time, there will be no changes to the AHA’s healthcare provider training materials.”  While we recognize this provides little comfort we will continue to do our best to seek solutions that are both high quality as well as fiscally responsible. 

Due to the extreme increase in price we will be adjusting the online ordering quantities to increments of 5.  We will be working to make updates to our website in a timely manner.

Please accept our sincerest apologies.  We are very sympathetic to your concerns, as we are experiencing them alongside you.

Apologetically,

Kelly Wanzek                                   

TC Coordinator                                

kelly.wanzek@sanfordhealth.org  

Carmen Wang  

Administrative Assistant

carmen.wang@sanfordhealth.org           

Ron Lawler

Director of Education  

ron.lawler@sanfordhealth.org  

To register for our FINAL eCard training please visit http://sanfordhealthemseducation.org/registration and select eCard Training under Other.  You will be redirected to our registration system where you can select the date of Friday, March 10^th from 1-3pm. 

We are only issuing eCards from now forward.

Please contact us with any questions.

Thanks,

Kelly & Carmen

The 2017 Instructor Profile can be found under the Instructor Resources tab, or by clicking on this link.