FAQs

Background Information
About eACLS™
Course Content
Continuing Education
Course Administration

Background Information

What does "eACLS™" stand for?
"Electronic" Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Who is the target audience for eACLS™?
All medical professionals who are required to be credentialed in advanced cardiac life support.

How long will it take someone to complete the eACLS™ course?
It will take approximately 8 hours to complete the cognitive portion of the online course. In comparison, it takes 13 hours to complete a traditional classroom-based course.

Do I need to complete an on-site practical skills examination?
No, if you are a practicing health care professional, other than a paramedic, who regularly performs resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) procedures as part of your employment, then no practical skills check is required. Simply print the eACLS™ Skills Verification Form and have your hospital or clinical supervisor complete the form verifying your clinical skills training and current skills competence based on the eACLS™ Skills Testing Guidance Document.

To receive your eACLS™ Course Completion Card, please fax or scan and email your completed Skills Verification Form and a copy of the acknowledgement certificate verifying that you completed the knowledge component of the course to 866-429-4931 or approvals@ecsinstitute.org. After your documentation is reviewed and approved, your eACLS™ Course Completion Card will be mailed out to you within 5 business days.

If you are a paramedic, if you do not meet the criteria detailed above, or if you are otherwise unable to complete the Skills Verification Form, you can opt to participate in a practical skills examination at an approved eACLS™ Educational Center that is willing to offer an on-site skills check.

If I do have to complete a practical skills check, what’s involved?
First, locate an eACLS™ Educational Center near you that is willing to offer an on-site skills check. The entire exam takes proximately 30–45 minutes to complete as you rotate through the following required skill stations:

• CPR and AED
• Airway and Ventilation Management
• Cardiac Arrest Management (MegaCode)
• ECG Arrhythmia Recognition and Treatment Modalities (Ten ECGs and patient presentations)

After successful completion of the skill stations, an official wallet-sized ACEP eACLS™ course completion card that is accepted nationwide will be issued.

Is there a charge for skills examinations?
eACLS™ Educational Centers operate independently and may charge a separate fee for skills examinations. Click here to locate and contact an eACLS™ Educational Center in your area.

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About eACLS™

How long is the eACLS™ Course Completion Card valid?
The eACLS™ Course Completion Card is valid for a period of 2 years.

Can a lost or damaged eACLS™ Course Completion Card be replaced?
Provided proof of course completion is documented, a user's lost or damaged card can be replaced for $2.00. Sources of documentation may include the institution that issued the original course completion card and/or the eACLS™ user database.

How long are eACLS™ course records maintained?
User records are maintained for 7 years.

What is the return policy for eACLS™ access codes?
If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, return it within 30 days of receipt for a full refund. If you complete the course and receive continuing education credit, we will not be able to issue a refund.

Is volume discount pricing available for the eACLS™ course?
Yes, significant volume discounts are available. A number of flexible purchase options are also available. Contact a Jones & Bartlett Learning sales specialist at 1-800-832-0034 to learn more.

We are pleased to offer the following annual volume discounts:

1 code	$139.95
2-24 codes	$111.00
25-50 codes	$100.00
51-199 codes	$79.00
200+ codes	$57.00

Who do I speak with if I took the eACLS™ course through an online distributor and have questions?
NurseTesting.com and Kaplan Continuing Education are online distributors of the eACLS™ course. If you originally went to their websites and purchased this course, please contact them with all questions about registration, testing, or payment/refund.

Nurse Testing can be reached at:
www.nursetesting.com
or call 1-800-809-TEST (8378)

Kaplan Continuing Education can be reached at:
http://www.kaplansolutions.com/verticals/ems-training
or call 1-800-671-9411

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Course Content

What case studies are used in the eACLS™ course?

• Acute Coronary Syndromes
• Asystole
• Bradycardia
• Pulseless Electrical Activity
• Stroke
• Tachycardia (Narrow Complex)
• Tachycardia (Wide Complex)
• Ventricular Fibrillation

What are the eACLS™ program learning objectives?
The following learning objectives exist for the eight eACLS™ case studies:

Acute Coronary Syndrome

1. Describe the acute coronary syndromes (ACS) continuum.
2. Identify the three 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) classifications used to determine the treatment of ACS patients.
3. Select the appropriate treatment modality for patients with ACS, including the management of chest pain and the use of fibrinolytic reperfusion therapy.
4. List the indications for emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Asystole

1. Identify the causes of asystole.
2. Conduct a systematic survey to identify a patient in asystole.
3. Describe airway management techniques used to manage a patient in asystole.
4. Select the appropriate treatment modalities to manage a patient in asystole.
5. Discuss the indications for terminating resuscitation efforts.

Bradycardia

1. Describe the signs and symptoms of symptomatic bradycardia.
2. Conduct a systematic survey to identify a patient with symptomatic bradycardia.
3. Select the appropriate treatment modalities (pharmacological and electrical) to effectively manage a patient with symptomatic bradycardia.
4. Indicate when, why, and how transcutaneous pacing (TCP) should be used to treat symptomatic bradycardia.
5. Discuss the significance of bradycardia in the setting of active myocardial ischemia.

Pulseless Electrical Activity

1. Identify the causes of pulseless electrical activity (PEA).
2. Conduct a systematic assessment to identify a patient in PEA.
3. Differentiate among the signs and symptoms of hypovolemia, pericardial tamponade, and tension pneumothorax.
4. Select the appropriate treatment modalities to manage a patient in PEA.

Stroke

1. Identify the warning signs of stroke.
2. Describe the importance of quick action in the early treatment of a possible stroke patient.
3. Describe the 7 "Ds" of stroke survival and recovery in initial stroke patient care.
4. Discuss the risks, benefits, contraindications, and guidelines for the use of fibrinolytic therapy for a stroke patient.

Tachycardia (Narrow Complex)

1. Conduct a systematic assessment of a patient with a narrow complex tachycardia to determine the hemodynamic status.
2. Distinguish between stable and unstable narrow complex tachycardia.
3. Describe the initial management for both stable and unstable patients with narrow complex tachycardia.
4. Ascertain the underlying rhythm associated with the narrow complex tachycardia.
5. Select the appropriate treatment modalities (pharmacological and electrical) to manage the patient with a narrow complex tachycardia.
6. Describe how and when to perform synchronized cardioversion.

Tachycardia (Wide Complex)

1. Conduct a systematic assessment of a patient with a wide complex tachycardia to determine his or her hemodynamic status.
2. Distinguish between stable and unstable wide complex tachycardia.
3. Recognize the difference between monomorphic and polymorphic wide complex tachycardia.
4. Describe the initial management for both stable and unstable patients with wide complex tachycardia.
5. Select the appropriate treatment modalities (pharmacological and electrical) to manage the patient with a wide compmlex tachycardia.
6. Demonstrate the correct procedure for performing synchronized cardioversion.

Ventricular Fibrillation

1. Recognize the signs of cardiac arrest.
2. Recognize the need to rapidly identify a patient in ventricular fibrillation (V-fib).
3. Describe the initial management for a patient in V-fib.
4. Describe why the treatment for a patient with pulseless ventricular tachycardia (V-tach) is the same as for a patient with V-fib.
5. Select the appropriate treatment modalities (pharmacological and electrical) to manage the patient with V-fib.
6. Demonstrate the correct procedure for performing defibrillation.

 

What is the passing score and format of the final written exam for the eACLS™ course?
The final written exam is composed of 40 multiple-choice, case-based questions. The questions are based on the objectives of the case studies and include ECGs when appropriate. Each question is worth 2.5 points. Once the exam is completed, it is graded instantly. Users must score at least 80% to pass the course. If a user fails the first exam, he or she has the opportunity to remediate by viewing the eACLS™ course cases and Resources Section before being provided one additional opportunity to pass the exam. If a user fails the second exam, remediation is offered on all questions and users are advised to retake the eACLS™ course.

Are there any ancillary materials that could be used in conjunction with eACLS™?
Yes. There are several ancillaries that would be excellent companions to the eACLS™ course.

The first is the eACLS™ Course Manual. To view this product, click here.

If you are seeking more advanced information on 12-lead ECGs, click here.

If you are looking for a specialized product that aids the personnel who assist ACLS providers during a code, click here.

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Continuing Education

Can I obtain continuing education credits for the eACLS™ course?
Yes. Following successful completion of the cognitive portion of the eACLS™ course, continuing education credits are immediately awarded as follows:

• 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and 8 hours of ACEP Category I CME credit for physicians
• 8 Advanced Continuing Education Hours (CEH) provided by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS) for ALS prehospital providers.

The medical content for eACLS™ is provided by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). It is designed to meet the international ECC guidelines for advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the American College of Emergency Physicians and Jones & Bartlett Learning. The American College of Emergency Physicians is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American College of Emergency Physicians designates this enduring material for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Approved by the American College of Emergency Physicians for 8 hour(s) of ACEP Category I credit.

State Approvals for Prehospital ALS Providers

eACLS™ is eligible for CEUs through CECBEMS. The NREMT will accept continuing education and verification of ACLS in programs that are CECBEMS or state EMS office approved. The American College of Emergency Physicians has contacted all 50 states regarding state approval for the eACLS™ course. Most states have indicated that CECBEMS approval is sufficient. If you have questions regarding your specific state, please contact your Public Safety Sales Specialist.

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Course Administration

How can I become an Education Center for eACLS™?
To become an Education Center, an Education Center Agreement must be completed. All ACLS Coordinators or Medical Directors with national organizations such as AHA or ASHI will be automatically grandfathered into eACLS™. If you are interested in becoming an eACLS™ Education Center or wish to learn more about the administrative guidelines for this program click here.

What are the qualifications for becoming an eACLS™ Course Coordinator?
To be an eACLS™ Course Coordinator, an individual must meet the following prerequisites/qualifications:

• Be a physician (MD or DO), registered nurse, nurse practitioner, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or paramedic with a strong background in advanced cardiac life support, and a responsibility to coordinate ACLS education/training at your institution.
• Have documented experience in conducting/coordinating advanced cardiac life support training for hospital and prehospital personnel.
• Have an understanding and a working knowledge of the eACLS™ course materials and policies and procedures.
• Complete any required future updates for eACLS™.

A Course Coordinator's status is valid for 2 years. To renew this status, the individual must be involved with at least one course during this period. Additional information about course coordinator and medical director responsibilities can be found in the eACLS™ Administrative Guidelines and Educational Center Agreement. Click here to view these documents.

Is a Medical Director needed for eACLS™?
Yes, a physician is required to oversee this program. All eACLS™ Education Centers must appoint a currently licensed physician to provide medical oversight for the eACLS™ program. The physician must be capable of and is solely responsible for providing readily verified physician-directed standing orders supporting local protocol variance from eACLS™. The Course Coordinator may serve as the Course Coordinator and Medical Director, should they meet the necessary qualifications.

Who can teach the eACLS™ course?
The didactic portion of the course does not require an instructor. All of the content normally covered through instructor lectures in a traditional ACLS renewal course is covered via the eACLS™ online course. The only "instructors" needed would be for the eACLS™ skills stations, which must be completed at an eACLS™ Education Center.

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