CPD – What does Advanced Life Support Involve?

Accidents can happen unexpectedly, even during work. They can lead to a serious medical condition that requires emergency treatment. Therefore, healthcare professionals must take immediate intervention to save the injured individual. This treatment can be performed anywhere, including on the way to the hospital. Sometimes, emergency teams use advanced life support as a practical helping hand to treat patients during this time. This is one of the special tools to keep patients safe before they reach the hospital. 

In an ambulance, paramedics perform advanced life support procedures. These include setting up intravenous access, administering medications, managing advanced airways through intubation, and using a defibrillator. They also typically monitor cardiac rhythms and perform other interventions to stabilise critically ill patients during transport to the hospital. While the emergency team rescues the patients, they must follow the protocols based on their condition.

What is advanced life support?

Advanced Life Support (ALS) is a set of emergency actions that help people with serious health problems. It's also called Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). ALS includes using breathing tubes, medicine through veins, and shock devices. These actions keep oxygen in the body and stop the situation from worsening. They help patients survive emergencies like heart attacks or severe injuries.

In this case, these equipment should be handled by highly trained paramedics and other skilled professionals. They are qualified to provide advanced life support and authorised to perform several emergency procedures. These procedures can be performed at the scene of an emergency or in a care facility. Generally, healthcare providers who receive ALS training are expected to keep up with the latest procedures and research. In doing so, they can get recertified in performing ALS.

This certification aims to show that these professionals possess the necessary knowledge and skills. These two prove that the healthcare teams can safely and effectively perform advanced support and practise medicines. In doing so, they can also comply with ethical guidelines within their field. Moreover, this qualification can be earned through licencing bodies that set specific requirements for accreditation and ongoing professional development.

Differences between basic and advanced life support

While basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) aim to provide emergency care, these two are not the same. BLS is a set of first aid procedures that provide immediate care. It helps people in danger by giving quick and basic emergency care. It includes CPR and using an AED to stabilise the person. You can make a big difference by offering this aid immediately while waiting for more treatment.

On the other hand, advanced life support (ALS) is a higher level of intervention that needs in-depth training and equipment. It provides more advanced care for serious medical problems. It also uses specialised tools and medicines to treat patients in critical conditions. ALS professionals, like paramedics or doctors, know how to secure the airway and give drugs through an IV. Moreover, they also use machines like ECGs to monitor the patient's condition. They may use effective techniques to treat cardiac arrest and manage other life-threatening problems. Therefore, ALS is important because it improves the chances of survival for people in danger.

Course Preview

This advanced life support course teaches emergency medical procedures to aid critically ill patients. Participants will learn how to recognise and manage conditions, including those experiencing cardiac arrest. They can do this by acquiring advanced resuscitation techniques and drug administration protocols. Moreover, participants can lead a team in emergencies beyond BLS skills.

After finishing the course, all participants will receive a certificate showing their advanced life support skills. The training is for healthcare workers, paramedics, and anyone who wants to improve their emergency competencies. They will also receive learning materials, like guides and videos, to better understand life-saving techniques. In doing so, they can save patients crucial time in surviving a crisis.

Course Structure

Learning ALS is necessary since it allows healthcare practitioners to identify and address complex medical conditions during critical situations. This way, it provides more targeted treatment than basic first aid. Moreover, the training programme emphasises quickly evaluating a patient’s condition. It allows for timely interventions based on the established protocols. You will study these materials during the course to learn more about ALS.

• Quickly recognise life-threatening emergencies and take action.
• Perform strong chest compressions and effective breaths to help the patient recover.
• Use emergency tools to fix breathing and heart problems quickly.
• Identify dangerous heart rhythms and use defibrillation when needed.
• Work closely with the team during medical emergencies for smooth and effective care.

Prerequisites

This CPD – What does Advanced Life Support Involve? course is open to everyone. It doesn't matter what your education or experience is. No special qualifications are required. If you're interested in learning life-saving skills, you can join. Also, you don't need to be a healthcare professional. If you want to be ready for emergencies, this course is perfect. It will teach you essential knowledge and hands-on experience. Most importantly, all you need is a desire to learn.

Participant Criteria:

1. Medical professionals want to improve their emergency care skills.
2. First responders aim to boost their life-saving abilities.
3. Healthcare students wish to learn more about medicine.
4. Individuals who are interested in emergency response training.
5. Employers want to train their staff in advanced emergency protocols.

Equipment to provide advanced life support

Emergency care needs specialised tools to stabilise and save patients in severe conditions. These tools provide quick and practical support. In this case, the tools include defibrillators, tracheal tubes, and bag-mask devices. These are key to improving patient outcomes. To learn more about this machine, here are the standard equipment for advanced life support:

Defibrillator

A defibrillator is a medical device that sends electric shocks to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. It plays a crucial role in emergencies, especially during cardiac arrest. It analyses the heart's rhythm. If needed, it delivers a shock, restarting the heart. Quick action can save lives, prevent brain damage, and prevent death. Healthcare providers improve patient outcomes using defibrillators. They can stabilise patients until further treatment is available.

Tracheal tube

A tracheal tube is a soft tube placed in the trachea to keep the airway open. It allows patients to breathe during surgery or emergencies. The tube ensures oxygen reaches the lungs, which is necessary for life support. By keeping the airway clear, doctors can prevent low oxygen levels, which improve survival chances. When used correctly, tracheal tubes help doctors control breathing. It also contributes to keeping patients stable, especially in critical care.

Bag-mask device

A bag-mask device, also known as a bag-valve mask, helps patients who cannot breathe independently. It is used in emergencies during advanced life support. The device has a bag that inflates by itself. This bag is connected to a mask that fits over the patient's nose and mouth. When rescuers squeeze it, oxygen-rich air enters the patient's lungs. It enables the patient to stay oxygenated and breathe. It also prevents brain damage. Furthermore, it supports essential organs while the patient is being revived.

Drugs and fluids

Drugs and fluids are essential in medical treatment, especially in emergencies. Medications like epinephrine or atropine help restart or stabilise the heart, and intravenous fluids maintain blood pressure and hydration. These treatments are key during advanced life support. Giving the right drugs and fluids controls shock and manages cardiac arrest. They also help stabilise patients. Knowing when and how to use them improves treatment, boosting the chances of recovery and survival.

ECG

An ECG, or electrocardiogram, records the heart's electrical activity. It assists doctors in finding heart problems like arrhythmias and heart attacks. ECGs are essential in advanced life support since they closely monitor a patient's heart rhythm. This test allows doctors to spot issues early. Early detection will enable them to make quick decisions. The real-time information guides doctors in making treatment choices. Lastly, it stabilises patients during emergencies, improving patient outcomes.

Learning about ALS with CCM

Performing an advanced life support needs special skills and knowledge. This is because the procedure is a high-level treatment for patients with severe conditions. Therefore, a course from the College of Contract Management can help you learn about it. It provides you with insight to use defibrillators, manage airways, and give medicine. CCM makes sure students get all the training needed for emergencies. Understanding this topic is key in emergencies when fast action is required. Plus, quick decisions can save lives, especially when every second matters.

CCM designs these courses that are simple and easy to understand. They want to provide medical professionals and first responders an opportunity to sharpen their skills. With expert trainers, CCM aims to support better patient care and safer environments in the healthcare setting. Sign up today and start learning these life-saving skills. Stay up-to-date with the newest methods to help others.

The College of Contract Management offers flexible courses for advanced life support training. The schedule will be arranged once expert speakers and materials are ready. You can stay updated by contacting our team. They will inform you about upcoming schedules and details. It allows you to plan your learning around your commitments. You will also gain important skills to improve patient care.