DATE:            June 2004

SUBJECT:     CD and Web-Based ACLS Programs

TO:                 ALS Service Medical Directors
                        ALS Practitioners

FROM:           Emergency Medical Services Office
                        PA Department of Health
                        (717) 787-8740

The EMS Office continues to work on developing the necessary processes to expand opportunities for web-based courses and improve EMS practitioner access to quality educational programs.  Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is not a regulatory standard for certification or recognition of ALS practitioners in Pennsylvania, although it may be an employer requirement. Two products have recently emerged to meet ACLS training needs, designed with experienced practitioners in mind.  While the EMS Office does not endorse a particular product, we do recognize the demand for ALS personnel to have greater access to ACLS training that can be utilized in meeting CE requirements for certification.

HeartCode ACLS Anywhere™ is a self-directed CD based, interactive program developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) and distributed for the AHA by Channing Bete Company Inc., Laerdal Medical Company, and WorldPoint/ECC.  Students complete the didactic components and written evaluation of the ACLS program independently, followed by completion of a skills session with a current AHA ACLS instructor.  To receive an ACLS provider card, students must successfully complete the required psychomotor skills, which are evaluated by an ACLS instructor.  Additional information is available at www.americanheart.org.

eACLS™ was developed through a partnership between the National Safety Council and the American College of Emergency Physicians and is currently being distributed exclusively through Jones and Bartlett Publishers, which contracts with training centers to facilitate course completion.  eACLS™ has been designed to provide an overview of ten case studies common to advanced cardiac life support.  To understand this content and successfully complete the interactivities, simulations and final written exam, the user must be familiar with the various medical conditions, signs and symptoms, and treatment modalities for ACLS.  The sponsors recommend this program be used for professionals refreshing their ACLS credential or in conjunction with higher education programs as supplemental educational activities.  Following successful completion of interactive, cognitive activities that satisfy the didactic requirements of ACLS training, practitioners then proceed to complete their required skills.  In order to receive an official eACLS™ course completion card, users must attend and complete the required skills sessions provided by a local institution or agency acting as an eACLS™ Training Center.  Additional information is available at www.eacls.com.

Based on a review of the program objectives, content, and course materials, the EMS Office has determined that upon successful completion of the cognitive or didactic portions, ALS personnel are eligible for up to 6 hours CE credit in the med/trauma category for the didactic portions of eACLS™ and HeartCode ACLS Anywhere™.  Credit will not be awarded for the skills session of the programs as these components are designed for testing and verification and are not “stand alone” modules unless the candidate has completed the didactic portion.

Please note:  The EMS Office will not consider CD or web-based programs, such as HeartCode ACLS Anywhere™ or eACLS™ as equivalent for ACLS recognition or renewal of ACLS credentials unless the EMS practitioner provides evidence that they have successfully completed the skills sessions and have been verified by an ACLS course instructor.