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a-doctor-later-in-life The typical age for an incoming medical student has historically been 22. This is the age at which most potential medical students have been able to graduate high school and complete a bachelor’s degree, before enrolling in medical school the next fall. However, as times have changed, the age of medical students has changed also.

Each year, the Association of American Medical Colleges conducts an annual Matriculating Student Questionnaire that explores different demographics. According to the most recent edition of this document, as many as 68 percent of medical students entering programs today are at least 23 years old. Certain programs that are geared toward older students have an even higher average age of entry, with some schools reporting an average age of 27 for their incoming students.

Benefits of Becoming a Doctor Later in Life

Even if it isn’t the most common path to a career in medicine, becoming a doctor later in life comes with several benefits that will give you an advantage over younger medical students and physicians.

1. You have had time to make sure it’s the right path for you.

At the age of 22, jumping straight into medical school is often a decision made hastily. At that age, the brain isn’t even fully developed, making it difficult to be sure whether you are making the right choice. If you take more time to decide, however, you can feel more certain that a career as a medical doctor is the right one for you. Depending on how long you wait, you may even have a chance to try out some other fields you were considering before ultimately deciding that medicine is your true passion.

2. You are older and more mature.

It can be hard to have the kind of focus and dedication you need to succeed in medical school in your early twenties. However, becoming a doctor later in life allows you to enter the field with more maturity, which raises your chances of being successful in medical school.

3. You may already have a family.

A lot of people who plan to become doctors will deliberately wait until after they have graduated, completed residency or reached other goals before getting married or having children. However, there is no rule that says you have to live your life in this order. In fact, some students may even find that having a family gives them more motivation to succeed in medical school, especially if the student’s partner is supportive.

4. You can be more prepared financially.

It is no secret that attending medical school can be costly. If you want to minimize the amount of student loans you need to take out, spending some time working before you enter medical school may be the best option. This can allow you to pay off other debts, put away some money and get yourself into a better overall financial position by the time you begin your program.

5. You have gained experiences that may help you succeed.

All of the experiences you have before beginning your med school program can be an asset to you as you pursue your degree. Even experiences you had outside the field of medicine or even outside science can be beneficial. Whether you worked as a bank teller or a car mechanic before you began medical school, you can apply the things you have learned as you pursue your degree.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to becoming a doctor later in life as well. For example, if you wait to enter medical school, you will be beginning your career at an older age than most people. This means it may take you longer to retire. You may also deal with insecurities related to being an older student, especially if the age gap between you and your peers is significant. In addition, if you have been out of college for a long time, you may find that you struggle on the admissions test. However, most of these obstacles can be overcome if you are serious about a career as a physician.

What if I Don’t Have a Science Degree?

In the past, most medical students began their programs with a bachelor’s degree that focused on science, such as microbiology, biology or chemistry. While students with backgrounds in these subjects are still appreciated and welcomed by most medical schools, the number of medical students who earned their degrees in other fields continues to grow. In fact, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Matriculating Student Questionnaire, as many as nine percent of incoming medical students have a background in social sciences, as opposed to the traditional fields associated with a career in medicine.

How to Enter Medical School as an Older Student

If you have decided that a career in medicine is right for you, the next step is to get enrolled in a medical school program. When you are coming straight from your undergraduate program, applying for medical school is often easier because you have resources available at your undergraduate institution that are specifically designed to help you with this process. As an older student, however, you will be largely on your own. Below are some tips to help older students maximize their chances of getting into medical school successfully.

1. Know the requirements.

Perhaps the most important piece of advice for older prospective medical students is to understand your institution’s admission requirements before you begin the application process. The exact requirements you will need to meet in order to be admitted to medical school will vary. However, some of the most common requirements for prospective medical students include completion of a bachelor’s degree, a minimum undergraduate GPA, past transcripts, a certain number of references, a personal statement and MCAT scores.

As you research different programs, be sure to make note of all the requirements. If there are programs with requirements you may not be able to meet, focus your attention on other programs.

2. Look for an institution that caters to older students.

The majority of medical schools will accept students of all ages. However, some institutions cater their programs specifically to non-traditional students, including applicants who are older than the average incoming student. You will typically be able to identify these institutions by looking at their advertisements or looking for pages on their website that provide information especially for non-traditional medical students.

3. Use up-to-date MCAT scores.

If you took the MCAT more than two years ago, you will probably need updated scores. Most medical schools require you to have MCAT scores that are no more than two years old. Even if the medical school to which you are applying does not have this requirement, it is still better to have up-to-date scores. It is always a good idea to spend some time preparing for the MCAT before you take it, especially If it has been a while since you graduated from college, or if you did not study the sciences in detail. If you don’t want to study on your own, or if you are unhappy with your initial scores, consider enrolling in a program designed specifically to prepare you for this exam.

4. Adjust your resume.

If you have been in the workforce for a while, you probably already have a resume on hand. However, as you prepare to apply for medical school, you should update this resume to reflect your new aspirations. Be sure to include all of your work and life experiences. Even if your experience doesn’t seem to be directly related to medicine, it may still be viewed as an asset by the people reviewing your application.

5. Use current personal references.

Do not use outdated letters of recommendation, as this may have a negative impact on your application. Instead, make sure the letters of recommendation you use are no less than one year old.

6. Tailor your personal statement to your application.

Many medical school applicants are tempted to recycle older personal statements in order to avoid writing a new one. However, in order to give yourself the best chance of being accepted to medical school as an older student, you should write a new personal statement. This statement gives you the opportunity to address your age and your career choices so that the people reviewing your application are able to understand why you are entering medical school at an older age. You will also be able to use your personal statement to make your motivations for entering the medical field clear, regardless of your age.

7. Make sure your family supports you.

If you are entering medical school with a family, it is important to make sure they understand your motivations and the requirements of your program. You will have the best results if you begin this process with a supportive family.

Showing an Interest in Medicine

In many cases, people who are planning to enter medical school at an older age have spent most of their adult life working in fields that aren’t related to medicine. If you did not study the sciences as an undergrad, this may make it harder for you to get a spot in a medical program. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to demonstrate your interest in the medical field, as well as your aptitude for healthcare as you work toward becoming a doctor later in life.

One way to improve your application is to take some relevant courses online or at your local college. Showing evidence of your aptitude in these courses may improve your chances of being admitted to medical school. You may also be able to improve your application by obtaining a relevant certification, such as an Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Basic Life Support Certification. These certifications are usually required for healthcare professionals anyway. Obtaining the certification before you apply to medical school will not only get you ahead of the game on this requirement, but it will also demonstrate your dedication to the field of healthcare.

Becoming a Doctor Later in Life: The Bottom Line

Becoming a doctor later in life isn’t the right choice for everyone. However, for many people, this career path is well within reach. If you are serious about a career as a doctor, you can begin the process of obtaining your medical doctorate at any age. Although you may face obstacles and challenges that do not impede students at a younger age, you will also be entering the program with more maturity and life experience, as well as a stronger focus on your goals. You can begin the process of becoming a doctor later in life from the comfort of your own home by researching the institutions that offer MD programs. You can also get answers to many of your questions by reaching out to an admissions officer for personalized assistance.

What is your experience of becoming a doctor later in life? Share your story with us.

About Greta

Greta is a dedicated life saver and a distinguished expert in the field of medical content creation and editing. Her impressive array of certifications in ACLS, CPR, PALS, and BLS underscores her commitment to excellence in the medical field. With over four years of invaluable experience in medical education, Greta plays an indispensable role within the Advanced Medical Certification team, shaping the way healthcare professionals around the world acquire and apply vital knowledge.

Greta's profound expertise serves as the driving force behind the development and distribution of medical content that has significantly enhanced the capabilities of countless healthcare practitioners across the globe.

In addition to her medical qualifications, Greta holds a prestigious academic distinction in Marketing and Global Business from Vilnius University. Her academic journey has been enriched by immersive studies in Slovakia and Portugal during her time as an exchange student, providing her with a global perspective that complements her medical expertise.

Beyond her professional commitments, Greta possesses a genuine passion for global exploration, with a particular focus on immersing herself in diverse cultures and appreciating the intricacies of the natural world. While residing in Vilnius, Lithuania, she continues to make substantial contributions to the field of medical education, leaving an indelible mark on the sector.

Reach out to Greta at greta.kviklyte@advmedcert.com.

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Code Red Hospital Training: What You Need to Know

by Greta Kviklyte

Life Saver, AMC

Co-authored by Kim Murray, RN, M.S.

posted on May 27, 2021, at 7:58 am

If you work in a hospital, code red may be part of your workday at some point. When these emergencies occur, you want to be as useful as possible in order to reduce the impact on the hospital, patients and visitors. For this reason, it is important to understand what this code means, as well as the proper response.

What Is a Code Red?

A code red is announced when there is reason to believe that a fire emergency is present within the building. For example, a staff member or visitor to the hospital may see smoke, smell smoke or see flames. Someone may also report a possible fire if doors or walls in the hospital feel hot when touched.

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code-red-hospital-training Typically, the code red will be announced within a specific location to let responders know where the threat is suspected. For example, the announcer may say “code red ER” or “code red surgery unit.” If the hospital has the appropriate technology, staff members may even receive an alert on their phones or other mobile devices before the announcement is made throughout the hospital.

What Do Staff Members Do During a Code Red?

During a code red, hospital staff will have different responsibilities depending on their position. Some members of the staff will be working to move patients who are vulnerable to the fire to safe locations. Other staff members may be responsible for assessing patient’s injuries, including traumas, burns and smoke inhalation. All staff members will be responsible for remaining calm and preventing people in the hospital from panicking.

Why Is Code Red Hospital Training Necessary?

Although a staff member’s responsibilities during a code red may seem straightforward, dealing with this situation can be stressful and overwhelming. Code red hospital training ensures that you have all the knowledge, skills and resources you need to perform efficiently and effectively under the stress of a code red.

Code red hospital training can come in different forms. In order to perform at your best during a code red, you may choose to obtain Basic Life Support certification, Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification and/or Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification. In many cases, one or more of these certifications may be required by your employer. However, even if certification is not required, it is still a good idea for all hospital workers to have at least basic life support skills. At the bare minimum, personnel working in a hospital should understand basic CPR and first aid so they can be useful in the event of a code red.

Some of the specific benefits of obtaining a life support certification or learning to provide basic first aid include:

A more competitive job application, which gives you a better chance of getting the job you want even when other people are applying.
A better chance of qualifying for a raise or a promotion within your current organization.
Enhanced, detailed knowledge that can be used to help people and protect against panic during a fire.
The confidence you need to be useful during a code red hospital emergency.

What Type of Code Red Hospital Training Is Best?

The type of code red hospital training you need will depend on many factors, including your exact position, your employer’s requirements and your goals as an employee. If you are a healthcare professional, chances are that you will need to obtain one or more certifications in order to meet the requirements of your employment. However, if you are non-medical hospital personnel, these certifications may not be required.

Nonetheless, even if you are not a healthcare professional, you can still benefit from code red hospital training. You may consider learning to perform CPR, learning about first aid and/or obtaining a Basic Life Support certification. You may also choose to learn how to use an automated external defibrillator to revive patients in cardiac arrest.

About Code Red Hospital Training Programs

The specific skills you will learn in a code red hospital training program will depend on the program you choose.

CPR, AED & First Aid Certification

CPR, AED & First Aid Certification courses are designed to prepare you for various emergencies that can occur in the hospital, especially during a code red situation. After completing this program, you will have the knowledge and skills needed to provide first-line treatment for:

Strokes
Seizures
Neck or spine injuries
Contact with dangerous chemicals
Smoke or chemical fume inhalation
Bleeding
Choking
Burns
Asthma attacks
Food allergy attacks
Diabetic comas
Cardiac arrest

Bloodborne Pathogens Training

During a code red hospital emergency, patients may have sustained injuries that involve bleeding. For this reason, bloodborne pathogens training is often recommended for medical and non-medical personnel who may encounter a code red in the hospital.

The purpose of bloodborne pathogens training is to teach hospital personnel how to handle blood that may be infected with dangerous pathogens, such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. If you take a bloodborne pathogens training course, you will learn about:

The basics of bloodborne pathogen transmission.
Vaccines that prevent infection from bloodborne pathogens.
Responding to bloodborne pathogen exposures.
Using personal protective equipment appropriately.
Cleaning up in an area that may be contaminated with bloodborne pathogens.
Recognizing bloodborne pathogen exposure risks
Reducing the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Basic Life Support Certification

Basic Life Support certification courses are designed to teach medical and non-medical personnel how to respond effectively when someone is in cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest or a similar state. All of these situations call for an immediate response in order to give the patient the best chance of survival, so it is wise for any hospital staff member to understand basic life support principles in case of a code red or similar emergency.
Basic Life Support certification courses will teach you how to:

Perform chest compressions and rescue breathing (CPR).
Clear the patient’s airway in the case of choking or a blockage
Use an automated external defibrillator appropriately.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification

Studies have shown that Advanced Cardiac Life Support training can improve patient survival rates. Code red situations increase the chances of cardiac arrest and similar situations, so hospital staff can benefit from this type of training.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support training is more advanced than Basic Life Support training, which means you will need to complete your BLS training course first. Some of the skills you will learn in ACLS training programs include:

How to properly identify a patient in respiratory or cardiac distress.
How to manage patients who are in respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.
How to identify heart-related complications that could be more likely during a code red situation.
How to open and maintain an airway.
How to administer medications to patients with cardiac or respiratory issues.
How to help a patient during or after a stroke.
How to communicate with other team members while supporting a patient in respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.

Although ACLS training programs often review the concepts covered during BLS training, this course is not a substitute for BLS training and should be taken after you have successfully obtained your BLS certification.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification

Pediatric patients present unique challenges when it comes to providing life support services. Because of their smaller bodies and other unique characteristics, a different set of skills is needed to effectively provide life support to a child or infant.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support, or PALS, is intended to train both medical and non-medical personnel to manage pediatric patients who experience cardiac arrest. As with cardiac events in adults, cardiac arrest in pediatric patients is more likely to occur when a code red situation arises.

During your PALS certification course, you will learn:

How to resuscitate a pediatric patient at different ages.
How to use tools in the resuscitation of pediatric patients.
How to resuscitate pediatric patients when working with a team.

Basic Code Red Response

man-injured-open-wound When a code red emergency arises in the hospital, providing first aid and life support is only part of the response process. In fact, the immediate reaction to a code red won’t always involve life support or first aid. To help both medical and non-medical personnel respond to a code red emergency, many hospitals institute the RACE procedure.

The first instruction in this procedure is Rescue. Personnel are instructed to help all people who are in immediate danger. For example, personnel may need to move patients out of harm’s way or provide first aid to patients in critical condition because of the fire.

The second instruction in the procedure is Alarm. During this step, hospital personnel should sound the alarm to alert everyone in the hospital of the situation.

The third instruction in the procedure is Confine. Hospital personnel are instructed to close off doors that can be easily accessed in order to slow down the spread of the fire.

The final instruction in this procedure is Extinguish. Hospital personnel should use fire extinguishers to put out the fire if doing so is reasonable.

Code Red Training for Employers

Hospital employees may decide to get the training they need to properly respond to a code red on their own. However, if you own or operate a hospital, the best thing you can do to ensure that every employee has the skills they need to respond to a fire is to institute a team-based code red training program for all of your employees.

A code red training program ensures that every person on your staff knows how to provide basic life support services and help patients in the event of a fire, even if they are not licensed medical professionals. This can dramatically improve outcomes when a fire occurs, saving your hospital money and reducing loss of life.

Getting the Training You Need

If you work in a hospital or a similar facility, having code red training is highly recommended. Code red training will ensure that you are able to respond properly and potentially save lives in the event of a fire.
After you have decided what type of training will be best for your needs, the next step involves choosing the best program. Different types of training programs are available to meet the needs of a variety of students. Training programs may be conducted over the internet, in person or in a hybrid format that combines both in-person and online instruction.

Although each type of instruction offers different advantages, many hospital personnel now choose to obtain the training they need online. Online programs are convenient, allowing you to study the course materials on your own time at a pace that works for you. With an online program, you can also obtain your certification without traveling.

Advanced Medical Certification is proud to offer a full menu of certification and training options for students who want to be prepared for the possibility of a code red. We offer ACLS, PALS and BLS training, as well as a basic CPR, AED & First Aid course. We also offer Bloodborne Pathogens training. Depending on your situation and goals, you may need to complete just one of these programs, or you may need to complete more than one. All of our programs include an online exam and a digital certification card that will be made available immediately after passing the course. Please contact Advanced Medical Certification today to learn more about our courses or to sign up for a program.

Have you ever experienced a code silver in a hospital? Tell your story.

About Greta

Reach out to Greta at greta.kviklyte@advmedcert.com.

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Differences Between Adult, Infant and Child CPR

by Greta Kviklyte

Life Saver, AMC

Co-authored by Kim Murray, RN, M.S.

posted on May 7, 2021, at 1:19 am

If you know how to give adult CPR, then you’re well on your way to being able to give child CPR or infant CPR. But you’ll find some clear differences in through procedures and those differences can greatly impact the effectiveness of CPR on a child or infant.

This is not a complete guide to CPR for infants, children, or adults. It’s an in-depth look at differences. So please consider the many reasons to get a CPR certification to be confident you know how to correctly perform CPR for all ages.

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What Is Considered an Infant, Child, Adult When Giving CPR?

People grow and develop at their own rates, so understanding how CPR experts define each of these is critical to that child receiving the correct care.

When to Use Infant CPR

cpr-infant-dummy In the world of CPR, an infant is a child that is less than one year old. If you know a child is 12 months or younger, then infant CPR is the best course of action.

But what if you don’t know the age of the infant/child? Use your best judgment. Generally speaking, most one-year-olds are just beginning to walk. So if the child isn’t doing at least some unsteady walking, and the child that looks like an infant, you could assume they’re under one, if you don’t know and have no way to find out.

When to Use Child CPR

A child is a person that is no longer an infant but has not yet reached the age of puberty. According to DukeHealth.org, in the US, the average age of puberty for a girl is 8-13 and 9 to 14 for a boy.

In either case, if you don’t know the age of the child/infant, you shouldn’t hesitate to provide CPR. CPR saves lives.

When to Use Adult CPR

That leaves adults. Adult CPR is for anyone over the age of puberty. In other words, most teenagers and some “tweens” (10-12) will receive adult CPR.

Common Reasons for Infant/Child Cardiac Event

The reasons for cardiac arrest in children, infants, and adults differ. This impacts how CPR is given to these different groups.

Reasons for Infant Cardiac Events

For an infant up to about 6 months, the most common cause is SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). According to ChildrensHospital.org, the cause of SIDS is unknown. But doctors believe children who suffer from SIDS may lack the ability to wake up when they are unable to breathe. Children can roll over or become tangled in bedding, leading to these events. While this condition has the word “Death” in it, an infant who has experienced a SIDS-causing cardiac arrest may be resuscitated if found soon after the event.

As for infants 6-12 months, the most likely cause would be any kind of respiratory failure or airway obstruction. According to CDC.gov, 2/3 of infant injuries are related to suffocation.

However, medical conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery abnormalities, or arrhythmias can occur. And trauma is another likely possibility, so be aware of this when performing infant CPR.

Reasons for Children Cardiac Events

A child is most likely to experience a cardiac event caused by:

Choking. Around 12,000 children visit the ER after a food-choking incident in the US.
Suffocation. Including choking, this is the fourth leading cause of death in children in the US, according to The New England Journal of Medicine.
Drowning. Around 1000 children die of drowning each year. According to CDC.gov, drowning is the most common cause of death in infants/children 0-4 YO.
Trauma. Vehicle and bike crashes account for most traumatic events in children. Around 600 children die in car accidents each year. 33% were not properly restrained. In the case of bike accidents, studies have shown that wearing a helmet can protect a child from 85% of head injuries and 89% from brain damage.

Common Reasons for Cardiac Events in Adults

While the children’s cardiac event statistics may seem alarming, adult rates are much higher.

According to CDC.gov, heart disease is the leading cause of death in adults in the US. Nearly 700,000 people die each year from it. In the US, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds.

The most common causes in adults are related to heart disease:

Scarring from a previous heart attack
Thickened heart muscle, which results from poorly managed high blood pressure and other causes
Medication dosing issues or side effects
Recreational drug use
Other heart disease-related conditions

In these events, CPR can save lives.

Survival Rates with CPR for Adult vs. Child

group-of-people-training-in-cpr If a child receives CPR out-of-hospital, they have a 17-40% chance of surviving to discharge. This rate may seem low, but it has significantly improved from around 2.6%, thanks to more people knowing CPR and improvement in pediatric intensive care after an event.

We will also note that when a child or infant is found quickly (within a few minutes), their chances of survival are higher.

The survival rate to discharge for adults is typically much lower at around 7% if they didn’t get bystander CPR. This rate goes up significantly to 11% when a bystander initiates CPR.

Chest Compressions

In adult and child CPR, you use the palm of your hand to give compression. However, with infant CPR, this could apply too much force over too much other their chest. So instead, use two fingers of one hand. Place them in the middle right below the nipple line. Press straight down with your fingers lowering the breastbone about 1.5 inches (4 cm). Allow the chest to come back up before doing another compression, which will happen immediately. Your goal is 100 to 120 beats per minute.

For a child, the recommended depth is about 2 inches (5cm) or roughly 1/3 the depth of the chest at 100 to 120 beats a minute.

In adults, the recommended depth for compressions is 2 to 2.4 inches (5 to 6cm), also at 100 to 120 beats per minute. Today Show compiled a list of other popular songs like “I Will Survive” (Gloria Gaynor) and “Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alabama) that can help you keep tempo.

Compression-only CPR: Yes or No?

According to NIH.gov research, if you need CPR, there’s a 45% chance you’ll receive it from a stranger rather than family, friend, or coworker (15%). Even though giving breath has been shown to be a low-risk activity, some people may hesitate to give breaths to a stranger if they don’t have a mask. Strangers may choose to give compression-only (also called hands-only) CPR based on this concern.

Those who get full CPR are 2.6 times as likely to survive versus no CPR. Those who get hands-only CPR are twice as likely to survive versus no CPR. So even though not ideal, something is better than nothing.

However, with both infants and children, the NHS recommends that you always give full infant or child CPR, which includes checking airways, giving breaths, and compressions, among other steps.

The NHS discourages hands-only for children for a good reason. Brain damage begins at 4 minutes of oxygen deprivation. So if CPR is done for an extended period without restoring breathing, it increases the risk of loss of neurological function. This may impair learning and significantly alter long-term potential for a quality life.

Giving Breaths

As mentioned above, infants and children are more likely to experience an event because of breathing problems, not heart problems. Because of this, you can usually make some basic assumptions and handle the situation differently. They may have airway obstruction.

Checking the Airway & Relieving Choking

In infants, choking is categorized as a “mild obstruction” or “severe”. In a mild obstruction, a child can still breathe a little, but they’re coughing or wheezing. If you see the object, try to remove it with your fingers being careful not to push it in further.

In these cases, try a chest thrust and back slap (while supporting the head and neck). With a “mild” or “partial” obstruction, it may be hard to dislodge the object with a chest thrust and back slap because air is getting around it. So try to calm the infant and dislodge the obstruction. If you can’t dislodge it quickly, call 911.

If the infant has a severe obstruction, then little to no air is getting through. Use back slaps and chest thrusts. If the infant stops responding, place them on a firm, flat surface, yell for help, then start CPR..

When a child or adult has a possible airway obstruction, they may be able to respond to your instructions. Encourage them to cough. If they can’t cough, or it doesn’t work, you’ll do the Heimlich Maneuver.

While standing to the side of them, support the individual’s front and bend them over at a 90-degree angle. Then slap their back five firm times. If not dislodged, continue to the Heimlich Maneuver (2).
Put your arms around them from behind and grasp your fist with your other slightly above their belly button. Pull hard toward yourself in a firm upward thrust, like you’re trying to pick the person up. Do this six to 10 times. This is also called an abdominal thrust.

According to Mayo Clinic, to save lives, you can also teach a child or adult to cough and then perform a modified “Heimlich” on themselves by leaning over the back of the chair or on a table if they are choking when no one is around.

You can find step-by-step infant CPR instructions here.

Mouth-Nose Seal for Infant

When giving breath to an adult, you hold the nose and breath through the mouth. But since your mouth is much larger than the infants, you’ll place your mouth over both the mouth and nose to give breath. If the infant’s breathing is obstructed, depending on where it is, this will also give air two possible entry points if one is blocked.

If you have a mask, it will go over the nose and mouth in adults, children, and infants.

Using an AED on a Child, Infant, Adult

AEDs are easy to use and can improve survival rates when used with CPR. Because they’re automated, they determine the best time to deliver the shock and will tell you it’s time to stop touching the person (Clear!).

You can use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on adults, children, and infants. However, the application of the pads is different.

For child CPR, place one pad on the upper right chest about the breast. Place the second pad on the lower left chest below the armpit. For infant CPR, apply one pad in the center of the chest and the other to the back.

Preserving Brain Function

According to MedlinePlus.gov, an adult, child, or infant will begin to develop potentially permanent brain damage after only 4 minutes without oxygen. Time is of the essence.

Call 911 First OR Not

With adults, the typical recommendation is that you call 911 first if you’re the only rescuer and no one else is coming. You then begin the steps to perform CPR while you wait for them to pick up. However, with children and infants, you should yell for someone to “call 911” and begin CPR immediately.

Who Needs a Child/Infant CPR Certification, etc.

Anyone from teen to adult could benefit from taking a CPR course. Researchers have found a strong correlation between the number of people who are CPR certified in a certain community and how likely a person in that community is to survive an event.

Some people who should certainly consider CPR certification include:

Teachers and Day Care Professionals
Nurses, EMT, Orderlies
Senior living and nursing home employees
Addiction treatment center employees
People who work in recreation or events
Lifeguards
Police Officers
Parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts
Caregivers for an aging family member

To save a life, you must know what to do during an emergency. Getting a CPR certification can give you the confidence to act quickly to prevent a worsening event or keep a person’s brain supplied while you await emergency support. Over 100,000 health care professionals trust Advanced Medical Certification when it’s time to get certified or recertified in CPR or more advanced life-saving techniques. You can get the skills and the confidence by signing up for an online CPR and First Aid Course today.

Have you learned something new? Share your feedback with us.

About Greta

Reach out to Greta at greta.kviklyte@advmedcert.com.

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by Greta Kviklyte

Life Saver, AMC

Co-authored by Kim Murray, RN, M.S.

posted on Apr 7, 2021, at 12:12 am

Respiratory arrest is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent grave consequences. This condition affects patients of all ages for a variety of different reasons. According to a study published by the Society of Critical Care, the incidence of respiratory arrest in the United States has been increasing substantially in recent years, with an increase of 197 percent from 2002 to 2017.

Because of the severity of respiratory arrest, as well as its widespread nature, it is important to understand how to recognize and treat this condition properly. Below is an overview of respiratory arrest, its causes, how to recognize it and how to provide the most effective treatment.

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What Is Respiratory Arrest?

Respiratory arrest occurs when someone stops breathing. The cessation of respiration quickly leads to other problems, including a loss of cardiac function and organ damage. Respiratory arrest often occurs following respiratory distress, a condition in which someone is having trouble breathing normally. Some of the signs of respiratory distress may include:

Retractions, nasal flaring and other signs of increased respiratory effort
Changes in consciousness levels
Pale, cold skin
Blue fingernails and lips from lack of oxygen
Abnormal airway sounds
Tachycardia

Respiratory distress should always be addressed in order to lower the chances of progression to respiratory arrest. Once respiratory distress has progressed to respiratory arrest, there will be no breath sounds or signs of breathing. Respiratory arrest is a medical emergency that must be treated immediately. If left untreated, respiratory arrest is universally fatal.

Respiratory Arrest vs Cardiac Arrest

bag-mask--ventilation Respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest are two different conditions. While respiratory arrest indicates a cessation of breathing, cardiac arrest indicates a lack of heart function. However, even though these conditions are different, one will cause the other to occur if it isn’t treated promptly. In many cases, healthcare professionals or other rescuers find themselves treating both respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest at the same time, regardless of which condition was present first.

Respiratory arrest can have different causes. Some of these causes include:

Respiratory Muscle Weakness

Both fatigue of respiratory muscles and neuromuscular disorders can cause patients to experience respiratory muscle weakness. In some cases, this will lead to respiratory arrest. For example, if a patient has a disease that impacts the muscles, such as myasthenia gravis, respiratory muscle weakness is often a complication.

Decreased Effort

In some cases, the patient may be making less than the required respiratory effort, which leads to oxygen deprivation and the potential for respiratory failure. This condition is most often caused by central nervous system impairment. Any drug or disorder that impacts the functioning of the central nervous system could be to blame.

Airway Obstruction

Yet another possible cause of respiratory distress and/or arrest is obstruction of the airway. Infants under the age of three months, as well as patients who have loss of muscle tone and decreased consciousness, may experience upper airway obstruction. Foreign bodies, vomit, mucus, tumors and spasms can also obstruct the upper airway.
Lower airway obstruction can occur in patients of any age, usually as a result of drowning, bronchospasm, aspiration, infection, swelling or bleeding.

While some of these signs appear early in the progression to respiratory arrest, others appear later. For example, most patients will initially experience rapid breathing and a rapid heart rate while struggling to get enough oxygen. As the condition progresses, however, a slow heart rate and slowed respiration rate will develop.

How to Recognize Respiratory Arrest

woman-experiencing-chest-pain Regardless of the condition causing respiratory arrest, prompt treatment is essential. As little as five minutes without oxygen can result in severe organ damage, especially in the brain. For this reason, it is important to be able to recognize respiratory arrest quickly and even anticipate the development of respiratory arrest in patients showing signs of respiratory distress.

Healthcare providers and emergency medical personnel should anticipate a strong probability of respiratory failure and arrest in cases where patients show:

Increased or decreased respiratory effort
Very rapid breathing
Very slow breathing
Tachycardia or bradycardia
Diminished distal air movement
Bluish tint to the skin
Coma

Treating Respiratory Arrest with Basic Life Support

As soon as you have recognized the presence of respiratory arrest, treatment should begin immediately. To properly manage this condition and give the patient the best chance of recovery, it is important to follow the appropriate treatment protocol. The exact treatment protocol that should be followed depends on the specifics of the patient’s condition.

The basic steps of treating patients with respiratory arrest are outlined below.

Step One: Check Responsiveness.

When respiratory arrest is suspected, the first step in the treatment process involves checking for a response from the patient. You can check for responsiveness by shaking the patient and asking “are you okay?” If the patient does not respond and breathing sounds are absent for ten seconds, move on to the next step.

Step Two: Call EMS and Obtain AED.

After you have determined that the patient is not breathing, the next step is calling emergency medical services. At the same time, it is also important to seek out an automated external defibrillator. If you are alone, you will need to complete both of these tasks yourself. However, if someone else is present, they can be assigned to either call for help or obtain the AED.

Step Three: Defibrillation.

Check to see if the patient has a pulse. If the patient has no pulse, use the AED to check for a shockable rhythm. If a shockable rhythm is present, use the AED to deliver shocks. Perform CPR between shock delivery.
At this point, the next step will depend on whether the patient has a pulse or continues with no pulse.

Step Four (With Pulse)

If the patient has a pulse, commence rescue breathing. Give one breath every five to six seconds for a total of 10 to 12 breaths per minute. Check for a pulse every two minutes.

Step Four (Without Pulse)

If the patient has no pulse, begin CPR. Perform 30 chest compressions for every two breaths. Each chest compression should be performed to a depth of 2 to 2.4 inches. Maintain a rate of chest compressions of approximately 100 to 120 per minute.

Treating Respiratory Arrest: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

When treating an unconscious patient in respiratory arrest, you will have multiple concerns that need to be addressed at the same time. One such concern is the patient’s airway. The airway must be opened in order to ensure that air can flow freely to the lungs. The first step in this process usually involves verifying that the airway is open and using a bag-valve-mask device to ventilate. Next, you will consider an advanced airway.

Opening the Airway

In most cases, it will be possible to open the patient’s airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin. However, if a neck or spinal cord injury is suspected, the rescuer should use the jaw thrust maneuver to open the airway instead.

Bag-Mask Ventilation

An oral or nasal pharyngeal airway can be used to institute bag-mask ventilation. However, an oral airway can be used only if the patient is unconscious, as gagging will occur in a semi-conscious patient. Keep in mind that patients can be bag-mask ventilated without an airway, but it may be extremely difficult in some cases.

When using bag-mask ventilation, be careful not to over-ventilate, as this can lead to serious complications. The goals of bag-mask ventilation are at least 94 percent oxygen saturation (100 percent if possible), with ventilations delivered once every five to six seconds. Overly aggressive ventilation can also be problematic. Ventilation is considered adequate as long as the patient’s chest is rising and falling with each respiration.

Placing an Advanced Airway

If the patient’s condition is deteriorating and/or mask-ventilations are not sufficient, an advanced airway should be placed. Multiple methods can be used to place an advanced airway, including the endotracheal tube, esophageal-tracheal tube, laryngeal tube and laryngeal mask airway.

Dangers of Over-Ventilation

When managing a patient in respiratory arrest, it is natural to want to act as aggressively as possible in hopes of preventing brain damage and other complications. However, overly aggressive treatment of respiratory arrest can actually be detrimental to the patient. One of the greatest risks is over-ventilation, which occurs when the healthcare provider or other rescuer gives too many breaths per minute or breaths that are larger than necessary. This can cause a variety of complications, including:

Increased intrathoracic pressure
Lower cardiac output
Decreased venous return to the heart
Vomiting

Be sure to follow the recommended ventilation protocols and algorithms carefully, taking care not to over-ventilate the patient.

Respiratory Arrest Management Training

Providing prompt, effective treatment to a patient in respiratory arrest is the best way to give the patient the highest chance of survival. However, the algorithms and protocols that must be followed when treating a patient in respiratory arrest can be complicated. In addition, when you are in a high-stress situation, it can be even more difficult to remember and administer the appropriate treatment properly. To ensure that you have all the knowledge and resources you need to provide effective care to someone in respiratory arrest, professional training is recommended.

Training programs are designed to teach you everything you need to know about providing life support, including how to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest and other life-threatening conditions. These programs are also designed to help you understand and implement the protocols that should be followed in each of these situations. With the right training program, you will be able to confidently administer life support services in any situation, including the treatment of respiratory arrest. In addition, most training programs also lead to a certification that can improve your career prospects and/or satisfy the requirements of employers who require life support training.

Training Programs for Respiratory Arrest

Several different training and certification programs cover respiratory arrest. Examples include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Each of these certifications is slightly different, but all of them will address some aspect of treating respiratory arrest. The program you should choose depends on your professional and personal goals, as well as any requirements your employer may have. For example, ACLS courses are more advanced and in-depth than BLS courses. However, some people may not need or want to obtain this higher certification.

Once you have decided which training program and certification is best for you, you will have the opportunity to choose from different course formats. These training courses may be available in an in-person classroom format, an online format or a hybrid format. While there are advantages and disadvantages to each of these options, many people now choose to complete their required life support certifications through online programs for the sake of convenience and affordability.

Advanced Medical Certification offers a wide range of courses and certification options, including CPR, BLS, ACLS, PALS and more. All of our courses are conducted entirely online, allowing you to work through the course material at your own pace on a schedule that works for you. As soon as you have passed the exam, you can print your certification card and/or request a paper copy of the card in the mail. If you are interested in enrolling in one of our courses, please contact us today to learn more.

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2020 ILCOR Guidelines: What Has Changed?

by Greta Kviklyte

Life Saver, AMC

Co-authored by Kim Murray, RN, M.S.

posted on Mar 8, 2021, at 7:04 am

Whether you are providing first aid, basic life support or another resuscitative service, following the appropriate algorithm or protocol is essential. These guidelines were established based on the results of research, as well as a body of knowledge developed through decades of practice. Learning all of these guidelines and being able to recall them during emergency situations is key to providing effective care and potentially life-saving treatment. However, it is also important to note that these guidelines are subject to change. As the medical community gains more knowledge, new discoveries are made, and these guidelines may be altered in hopes of improving outcomes.

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In 2020, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation published new guidelines containing several notable changes to systems of care, including altered life support and first aid algorithms. Changes were most notable for first aid, infant/child CPR, adult basic life support, advanced life support. Read the blog and watch the video below to learn more.

Updates to Pediatric Basic Life Support

When providing CPR to infants or small children, it is now recommended to perform 15 chest compressions, followed by 2 breaths. This is considered one “cycle” and should be continued until more sophisticated life-saving measures are available. Prior to these changes, recommendations were to give 30 compressions and two gentle breaths per cycle.

The 2020 update also alters the recommendations for providing life support to infants and children who have a pulse but have absent or inadequate breathing. The ILCOR recommends giving one breath every two to three seconds, which translates to 20 to 30 breaths per minute. In the past, the recommendation was to administer rescue breaths at a rate of one breath every three to five seconds, which would have translated to only 12 to 20 breaths per minute.

Full Updated Pediatric Basic Life Support Algorithm

The complete 2020 updated Pediatric Basic Life Support algorithm is as follows:

Verify that the patient is unresponsive with abnormal or absent respiration.
Call 911/EMS; Locate an AED or defibrillator if possible.
Assess the patient’s pulse.
If the patient has a weak pulse, administer one breath every three seconds. Add chest compressions if the pulse remains below 60 beats per minute. Assess the patient’s pulse every 2 minutes.
If the patient has no pulse, begin CPR cycles of 15 compressions and 2 rescue breaths.Once an AED becomes available, assess the patient for a shockable rhythm.
If the rhythm is shockable, administer one shock and resume CPR for 2 minutes before re-assessing rhythm.
If the rhythm is not shockable, resume CPR and reassess rhythm every 2 minutes.
Steps should be continued until more advanced life-saving measures are available or the patient shows evidence of a return to normal circulation.

Changes to Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support Algorithms

The ILCOR 2020 guidelines for Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support have also undergone some changes. The ILCOR re-emphasized the importance of initiating CPR quickly in cases where someone experiences cardiac arrest outside the hospital. The most recent studies show that, while in-hospital cardiac arrests have a survival rate of 25 percent, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests have a survival rate of only 10 percent. The ILCOR also emphasized the importance of performing chest compressions to a depth of 2 to 2.4 inches. Compressions should be performed at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute. In addition, the ILCOR 2020 guidelines emphasize the importance of administering epinephrine for non-shockable rhythms, as well as after defibrillation has failed in a shockable rhythm.

New to the ILCOR 2020 guidelines for Adult Basic and Advanced Life Support Algorithms were the following:

Point-of-care ultrasound changes: If an experienced sonographer is available, and if performing an ultrasound will not interfere with other life-saving measures, ultrasound can be used to provide additional information about the function of the heart and the cause of cardiac arrest during life support. However, research has not yet established the usefulness or effectiveness of this strategy.
Changes to the chain of survival: A sixth link has been added to the chain of survival. This link is “recovery”, and it includes observation, rehabilitation, psychological support and any other services the patient may need. This change applies to both adult and pediatric life support.
Post-cardiac arrest care: The focus of post-cardiac arrest care is on interventions during the initial stabilization phase. Continued management is also emphasized.
Neuroprognostication: When predicting neurological recovery and planning patient care, the ILCOR recommends using multiple modalities to improve the accuracy of decisions.

Full Updated Adult Basic Life Support Algorithm

The complete 2020 updated Adult Basic Life Support algorithm is as follows:

Verify that the patient is unresponsive and has abnormal respiration.
Call 911/EMS; Locate an AED if possible.
Assess the patient’s pulse.
If the patient has a pulse but respirations are absent or abnormal, administer one rescue breath every five to six seconds. Reassess pulse every two minutes.
If the patient has no pulse and respirations are absent or abnormal, start cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths.
After a defibrillator/AED becomes available, assess the patient for a shockable rhythm.
If the rhythm is shockable, administer one shock and resume CPR for two minutes and reassess rhythm.
If the rhythm is not shockable, resume CPR for two minutes and reassess rhythm.
Steps should continue until more advanced life-saving measures are available or the patient shows evidence of a return to normal circulation.

It is important to begin chest compressions within ten seconds whenever possible. Chest compressions should be hard and fast, while allowing for a complete recoil of the chest between compressions. Rescue breaths should cause the chest to rise.

Changes to First Aid Recommendations

Several changes were made to ILCOR first aid recommendations. The changes, updates, and emphases are as follows:

Strokes – Stroke should be suspected in cases where a patient shows evidence of one-sided facial weakness, one-sided arm weakness and/or speech disruption. When these signs occur, call 911 immediately.
Chest Pain – When a patient is experiencing chest pain unrelated to trauma, call 911. Next, ask the patient to chew and swallow 162 mg to 324 mg aspirin. If the patient has an allergy to aspirin or has been advised not to take this medication, do not administer aspirin. Instead, simply wait for help to arrive.
Hypoglycemia – Patients with suspected hypoglycemia should be given glucose orally. If symptoms worsen or do not resolve within 10 minutes, call 911. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include elevated heart rate, hunger, sweating, dizziness, and confusion.
Tooth Avulsion – If emergency replantation is not a possibility, collect the tooth gently and avoid touching the root. Wash the tooth carefully with water. For safe transport, place the tooth in a saline solution, in cow’s milk, or under the patient’s tongue, as long as the patient is a cooperative adult. Pediatric patients should not be asked to hold a tooth under the tongue, as this may put them at risk of airway obstruction.
Bleeding – If a patient is experiencing life-threatening bleeding, try to control bleeding with direct pressure. If direct pressure does not control the bleeding, apply a tourniquet. The tourniquet should be placed approximately two inches above the wound. Tighten the tourniquet until the bleeding has stopped and call 911 for assistance.
Hyperthermia – Hyperthermia occurs when someone’s temperature rises above safe levels, leading to rapid heart rate, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, and other symptoms. When someone is suspected to be a victim of hyperthermia or heatstroke, immerse the victim in cold water immediately. Keep the victim immersed in cold water until their temperature is no higher than 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit or until the victim’s symptoms have resolved. If immersion in cold water is not possible, use fanning, cold showers and/or ice packs to lower the victim’s temperature.

Other Changes and Updates

Double sequential defibrillation is no longer recommended based on the most recently available data.
ILCOR guidelines state that continuously measuring the patient’s arterial blood pressure and ETCO2 during ACLS resuscitation could improve CPR outcomes.
During ACLS resuscitation, the preferred route of administering medication is intravenous access. If IV access is not a possibility, intraosseous access is acceptable.
Following resuscitations, ILCOR guidelines recommend a debriefing for those involved in the event for the purpose of supporting their well-being and mental health.
When providing life support services to pregnant women, the primary focus is on resuscitating the mother. Preparations for perimortem cesarean delivery should also be made if it would be necessary to improve the chances of resuscitating the mother and/or to save the infant.
Recovery from an incident of cardiac arrest is a lengthy process, continuing long after the patient’s initial hospitalization. ILCOR guidelines recommend providing patients with a formal assessment, as well as support for their cognitive, physical, and psychosocial needs.
When providing care to patients after the return of normal circulation, ILCOR guidelines recommend paying close attention to blood pressure, oxygenation, and body temperature. Patients should also be evaluated for percutaneous coronary intervention.

The ILCOR guidelines also introduced a new Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy Algorithm, as well as two new Opioid-Associated Emergency Algorithms to help with these specific, unique cases.

The Importance of Up-to-Date Information

Any changes to the ILCOR guidelines are made based on new knowledge gained, either through experience or through research. In many cases, data analysis is the primary driving factor behind these changes. The goal of these changes is always to improve the quality of life support, which in turn improves survival rates and patient outcomes. When laypeople or healthcare providers who may need to administer life support are aware of these changes, they can provide the best possible services to individuals who experience cardiac arrest or other types of medical incidents.

Because these guidelines change on a regular basis, it is important for anyone who hopes to provide life support in the future, as well as those who must be trained to provide life support services as a part of their employment, to keep up with any changes that are made. This is one of the reasons most healthcare employers require their employees to recertify their life support credentials at regular intervals.

The easiest way to make sure that you are always using the recommended algorithms and protocols when providing life support or first aid is to update your credentials as required by your employer. If you are not subject to these requirements, simply update your credentials before their expiration date to keep your skills honed. You should also take a course and update your life support credentials whenever you learn that the guidelines have changed substantially.

How To Update Your Life Support Credentials

Whether you want to recertify your life support credentials as a requirement for continued employment or for your own peace of mind, you can complete this task easily by taking a life support course. Both in-person and online options are available. However, because of the many benefits, many people are now choosing to take their life support courses online. Taking the course online allows you to progress through the materials at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. You won’t have to follow anyone else’s schedule, and you won’t have to worry about traveling to a physical class or interacting with teachers and students in person. This option is ideal for people who have busy or unpredictable work schedules, as well as those who simply don’t want the hassle of an in-person course.

Advanced Medical Certification offers a range of life support courses, including First Aid, CPR, BBP, BLS, PALS and ACLS. All of our courses are conducted 100 percent online, and you will never be asked to come to a classroom. In addition, your credentials will be available immediately after you have passed the course. If you don’t pass the exam on the first try, you can take it as many times as necessary until you are able to get a passing score. Our credentials are accepted by the majority of employers, allowing you to satisfy your requirements easily. We also offer 3 course and 2 course bundles to make our courses more affordable. Contact us today to learn more.

About Greta

Reach out to Greta at greta.kviklyte@advmedcert.com.

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Protocols for Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)

by Greta Kviklyte

Life Saver, AMC

Co-authored by Kim Murray, RN, M.S.

posted on Feb 12, 2021, at 5:55 am

Bloodborne pathogens (BBP) pose a substantial risk for both healthcare professionals and their patients. For this reason, it is important for all healthcare professionals to be aware of the proper protocols that must be followed when dealing with bloodborne pathogens. Protocols are established to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious agents when handling blood and other bodily fluids, as well as to reduce the risk of infection when someone has already been exposed to a contaminated fluid.

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Defining BBP

Bloodborne pathogens include all potentially infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses, that are present in human blood and other bodily fluids. Bloodborne pathogens may also be found in human tissue or organs. Although many different pathogens can cause disease when transmitted through blood and other fluids, the pathogens that cause the most concern are Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency Virus. While some bloodborne pathogens cause infections that can be cured entirely, others cause chronic infections that may affect the exposed individual for the rest of their life.

protocols-for-bloodborne-pathogens-bbp2-1

Bloodborne pathogens are most commonly transmitted in a healthcare setting when someone is accidentally cut or punctured with a contaminated sharp object. These pathogens may also be transmitted when contaminated fluids come into contact with broken skin or exposed mucous membranes. Pathogens may be transmitted when fluids splash onto a healthcare worker or patient. They may also be transmitted if the individual touches the fluids and then touches their eye, nose or mouth.

Basics of BBP Protocols

There are several steps healthcare providers can take to protect themselves and their patients from the danger of infection agents that may be present in blood or bodily fluids. These strategies are all designed to reduce the risk of infection transmission, but some risk is always present even when protocols are followed properly.

Some of the strategies used to protect against BBP include:

1. Following Standard Precautions. – Healthcare professionals should treat all blood and bodily fluids as though they are infectious, even if they are believed to be free of contaminants, to maximize safety and minimize the risk of infection. This means that the standard precautions listed below should always be followed, even if healthcare professionals are treating patients without a known bloodborne infection.

2. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment. – One of the most important strategies used to protect against bloodborne pathogens is wearing personal protective equipment. These specialized devices create an extra barrier between the healthcare professional’s body and the potentially infectious bodily fluids. Examples of personal protective equipment that may be worn include goggles, masks, gowns, face shields, and gloves. This equipment should be used any time a healthcare professional has the potential to come into contact with blood or other bodily fluids.
Different forms of personal protective equipment may be recommended in different situations. Healthcare professionals should be aware of which pieces of equipment are necessary in every situation. They should also understand how to wear these devices properly, as well as how to sanitize or dispose of them appropriately after use.

3. Practicing Proper Hygiene – Another important strategy that can be used to reduce the risk of infection involving bloodborne agents is proper hand hygiene. Healthcare professionals should wash their hands prior to touching a patient, before beginning a clean procedure, after any risk of exposure to bodily fluids, after touching patients, and after touching anything in the patient’s area. Healthcare professionals can clean their hands using soap and water or waterless hand sanitizers.
Washing the hands with soap and water is recommended when dealing with potential GI contaminants, such as norovirus. In these cases, waterless hand sanitizer will not be as effective.

4. Using Safe Medical Devices – Certain devices have been developed to reduce the risk of infection transmission through bloodborne pathogens. Examples include safe needle devices and needleless systems that are less likely to accidentally puncture personal protective equipment and/or the skin. Healthcare professionals should not only have access to these devices, but they should also be trained to use them properly in order to maximize their effectiveness.

5. Proper Disposal of Dangerous Materials or Substances – When disposing of any item, substance, or material that may be contaminated with bloodborne pathogens, medical professionals must take precautions and follow the appropriate protocols. For example, materials that are not considered sharps but may be contaminated with blood or other infectious substances should typically be placed in an infectious waste container. In most cases, these containers are red in color. Sharps, such as scalpels or syringes, should be placed in an approved sharps container designed to receive these items without risking injury to the user.

6. Obtaining appropriate vaccinations – Healthcare professionals can protect themselves against certain bloodborne pathogens by obtaining the appropriate vaccinations. Most institutions will require healthcare professionals to have evidence of these vaccinations on file. Healthcare professionals should keep up with all recommended vaccines to ensure their risk of infection is as low as possible.

Dealing with Exposures to BBP

man-getting-blood-extraction Even when healthcare professionals are taking precautions, exposures to bloodborne pathogens can sometimes occur. When an exposure occurs, the healthcare professional is at risk of developing an associated infection or illness. When a healthcare professional has been exposed to a substance that may have contained bloodborne pathogens, certain steps should be taken in order to limit the risk of infection as much as possible.

Immediate Steps

Some of the steps healthcare providers should take immediately after a possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens include:

1. Wash the skin. – If any skin surfaces were exposed to the substance in question, wash them immediately and thoroughly with soap and water.

2. Clean the eyes. – If potential contaminants have come into contact with the eyes, healthcare professionals should use sterile saline or clean water to irrigate them. A significant amount of water or saline should be used to ensure that the eyes are cleaned as thoroughly as possible.

3. Clean and the mouth and nose. – If the healthcare professional’s mouth and/or nose was involved in the incident, water and/or mouthwash should be used for cleaning. These areas should be cleaned as thoroughly as possible.

Reporting the Incident

In addition to taking the initial steps to remove as much of the contaminated substance from the body as possible, it is also important for healthcare professionals to follow the appropriate protocol for reporting the incident. In most cases, the injury should be first reported to the healthcare professional’s supervisor. The healthcare professional should also seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Documentation may need to be completed to ensure the incident has been recorded and handled properly.

Follow-Up After Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

After there has been a potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, most institutions will require healthcare professionals to adhere to a specific follow-up protocol. This will often involve testing to determine whether the pathogen in question has caused an infection. The results of these tests will indicate whether any treatment is needed. If the first test conducted does not show any evidence of infection, many institutions will conduct subsequent tests at specific intervals to make sure that an infection does not later develop.

If the appropriate amount of time passes with no positive test results, the healthcare professional will typically be released from follow-up, although records of the incident will remain on file. If testing eventually shows evidence of an infection, the healthcare professional will not be released from this protocol and will instead receive treatment for the illness contracted.

Patient Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

In most cases, unintended exposure to bloodborne pathogens affects healthcare workers. However, it is also possible for patients to be exposed to bloodborne pathogens when healthcare workers are careless or through simple accidents. When a patient is unintentionally exposed to blood or another bodily fluid that could contain infectious agents, the protocol followed is similar to the steps followed when a healthcare worker is exposed. Immediately after the exposure, the affected areas should be cleaned using the appropriate methods. For example, if the patient’s eyes were affected, they should be thoroughly irrigated immediately.
In most cases, a formal report of the incident will be filed, and the patient will receive medical attention. Testing will often be conducted at regular intervals to monitor the patient for a developing infection. If evidence of an infection is found, the patient will be treated.

The Importance of Proper Training

Coming into contact with bloodborne pathogens can be dangerous and even life-changing. For this reason, it is essential for every healthcare professional who has the potential to be exposed to bloodborne pathogens to understand how to protect themselves in these situations. One of the best ways to learn about the strategies, protocols and tools used to protect against bloodborne pathogens is formal training. In addition, formal training programs teach healthcare professionals how to better protect their patients from accidental exposure to bloodborne pathogens, as well as how to respond in situations where an exposure may have occurred.

The procedures used to handle bloodborne pathogens can be complicated. In order to be properly prepared, healthcare professionals need to understand:

- What situations put them at risk of coming into contact with bloodborne pathogens.
- Why bloodborne pathogens are dangerous.
- What equipment they should use to reduce the risk of contact with bloodborne pathogens.
- What procedures should be used to reduce the chances of infection when an exposure occurs.
- What procedures should be followed to monitor for signs of an infection after an exposure occurs.
- How to dispose of contaminated sharps and non-sharp materials.
- How to recognize potentially contaminated materials.

Learning all of this information can seem overwhelming. However, a high-quality bloodborne pathogen training program will provide all of the knowledge and skills healthcare professionals need. Not only are these programs valuable to healthcare workers, but they are often required as a condition of employment. Most employers in the healthcare industry require every employee who has the potential to come into contact with blood and other bodily fluids to obtain a bloodborne pathogens certification. This certification must also be renewed periodically to ensure that the healthcare professional is always prepared to deal with this sensitive matter.

Who Needs BBP Training?

BBP training is recommended for any individual who could come into contact with human blood, bodily fluids or tissue as a part of their employment. In most cases, this type of training will be required before an employee will be permitted to work in a situation that could expose them to bloodborne pathogens.

How to Obtain BBP Certification

If you are a healthcare professional who needs to obtain or renew BBP certification, you simply need to take an appropriate course. These courses can be taken online or in person, depending on your preferences. In light of the pandemic, as well as the convenience and other benefits of online study, many healthcare professionals are now choosing to take their certification courses over the internet.

Advanced Medical Certification offers a BBP Certification course that can be completed entirely online in your own time. This course qualifies you for three Category 2 CME credits and allows unlimited exam retakes. Our certifications are accepted by most employers. If your employer refuses to accept your certification, you can request a full refund of any fees you paid for the course. Contact us today to learn more or to get started.

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About Greta

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Keep reading

What is advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification

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Understanding the Basics of Synchronized Cardioversion

by Greta Kviklyte

Life Saver, AMC

Co-authored by Kim Murray, RN, M.S.

posted on Jan 6, 2021, at 7:08 am

Cardiac arrhythmias are common but deadly conditions that affect patients both inside and outside the hospital. When this condition occurs, steps can be taken to reverse it, thus saving the patient’s life in many cases. However, the techniques used to treat cardiac arrhythmias vary and must be chosen based on the specifics of the patient’s situation. One of the techniques that may be used to successfully treat an arrhythmia is synchronized cardioversion. An overview of this technique and its use is provided below.

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What Is Synchronized Cardioversion?

Synchronized cardioversion is a specific medical procedure used to restore a normal heart rhythm to a patient who is experiencing an arrhythmia, which is an irregular heart rhythm. During this procedure, a direct electric current passes through the patient’s chest, which shocks the heart. After this shock, the heart often may resume a normal rhythm. Synchronized cardioversion requires the direct electric current used to be synchronized with the activity of the patient’s heart.

When Is Synchronized Cardioversion Necessary?

Synchronized cardioversion is typically utilized in cases where a patient is experiencing an unstable tachycardia arrhythmia. This means that the patient will have an abnormal heart rhythm coupled with an increased heart rate.

Arrhythmias reduce the amount of blood the heart can effectively pump to important parts of the body. If left untreated, these conditions can cause serious and even fatal complications, such as a stroke or heart attack. For this reason, prompt treatment of a serious arrhythmia is essential.

Some of the conditions most commonly treated by synchronized cardioversion include:

Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia
Atrial tachycardia
Atrial flutter
Atrial fibrillation
Supraventricular tachycardia

Are There Contraindications for Synchronized Cardioversion?

As long as a patient is experiencing one of the heart rhythms that indicates the use of synchronized cardioversion, this procedure can typically be implemented. There are no contraindications for this procedure, and it can be used even when the patient has a pacemaker or automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator. The presence of either of these devices should not impact the effectiveness of the synchronized cardioversion procedure.

How to Perform Synchronized Cardioversion

Prior to beginning the synchronized cardioversion procedure, it is important to make sure the procedure is actually necessary and that the chances of the patient surviving are as high as possible. Before the procedure begins:

Review and identify the patient’s rhythm.
Verify the patient’s rhythm with a 12-lead EKG if there are any doubts about the patient’s rhythm.
Sedate the patient with intravenous medication to reduce pain during the procedure.
Have emergency equipment on hand and available in case of complications. Be sure that you have access to a bag-mask device, suction device and airway management equipment.
Shave any hair on the patient’s chest to accommodate the electrodes.
Provide supplemental oxygen if required by the hospital.

The procedure begins after an IV has been placed and the sedation medication has been administered to the patient. Place the electrodes on the left side of the chest approximately two inches under the mid-axillary line. Place electrodes on the right side of the chest below the clavicle.

Once the electrodes are in place, press SYNC on the defibrillator machine. Verify that the machine is sensing and marking the R wave accurately by reviewing the rhythm strip. Otherwise, the shock may not be delivered at the appropriate time.

Choose the most appropriate energy level and make sure everyone else in the room is clear of the patient before you deliver the shock. Keep in mind that the delivery of the shock may not be immediate, as the machine must administer the shock at the appropriate time for the patient’s current rhythm.

Following the first shock, it is necessary to reassess your patient’s rhythm to see if it has returned to normal. If the patient’s rhythm has not returned to normal, you will need to administer a second shock. Because machines return to their default mode of defibrillation after administering the first shock, be sure to press SYNC again before administering the second shock. As with the first shock, you should make sure the machine is measuring the rhythm accurately. Clear the patient and administer the shock. Throughout cardioversion, be sure to monitor the patient’s vital signs and consciousness level. Even after a normal rhythm begins, you should continue to monitor vital signs and consciousness level until the patient is fully awake and stable.

Anticipating Complications during Cardioversion Procedures

Many cardioversion procedures will be completed without any complications. However, in some cases, complications may occur. For this reason, it is important to understand the possible complications and prepare to respond to them. Some of the most common complications of synchronized cardioversion include loss of pulse and ventricular fibrillation.

The response indicated in these cases will depend on the specific type of complication. For example, in cases where a patient who has unstable supraventricular tachycardia loses pulse, the best treatment is implementation of the ACLS algorithm for pulseless electrical activity. If a patient with an unstable ventricular tachycardia loses pulse during synchronized cardioversion, the best treatment is implementation of the ACLS algorithm for ventricular fibrillation. Finally, if the patient develops ventricular fibrillation during treatment with synchronized cardioversion, the defibrillator should be taken out of “synchronize” mode so it can be used for defibrillation.

If a patient is not breathing properly on their own, manual ventilation may be indicated as well.

Making Necessary Adjustments

In an ideal situation, the synchronized cardioversion procedure works seamlessly and the patient resumes a normal rhythm without complications. However, in some cases, you may need to make some adjustments to the procedure in order to make it work properly.
Below are some tips that may improve the success of synchronized cardioversion.

Make sure electrodes are placed in optimal locations.
Adjust the amplitude if the machine is not sensing the patient’s rhythm accurately.
Apply the appropriate force when delivering the shock to maximize the effectiveness of the current.
Monitor the patient continues to see if further adjustments or changes to the treatment plan are indicated.

Comparing Synchronized Cardioversion to Defibrillation

It is important to remember that synchronized cardioversion and defibrillation are not the same things. Defibrillation involves the delivery of a high energy shock to the heart. This procedure does not require you to deliver the shock at any specific time in the QRS complex. Synchronized cardioversion, on the other hand, involves the delivery of a low-energy shock at a specific time in the QRS complex. This means that careful preparation and synchronization is required when performing synchronized cardioversion, but not when performing defibrillation.

The purpose of synchronizing the shock delivered in synchronized cardioversion is to avoid causing a complication. For example, when a patient with atrial fibrillation undergoes synchronized cardioversion, the shock will be delivered at the best moment to convert the patient back to a normal sinus rhythm. Delivering the shock during the vulnerable wave on the QRS complex would instead lead to ventricular fibrillation.

Defibrillation is typically used when a patient’s rhythm is so unstable that no apparent QRS complex can be seen, which means there is no vulnerable wave or point in the complex to avoid. Defibrillation is commonly used to treat pulseless ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, while synchronized cardioversion is more commonly used to treat other rhythm problems.

Although there are key differences between these two treatments, they do share a similarity. Bot defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion deliver a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the myocardium. Nonetheless, understanding when each of these treatments is indicated is essential to avoid causing unnecessary complication and to maximize the likelihood of returning the patient to a normal sinus rhythm.

Who Needs to Know How to Perform Synchronized Cardioversion?

Patients can develop the rhythm problems that necessitate synchronized cardioversion can occur inside or outside of the hospital, and this technique can be used in either setting. Because it has been shown to save lives, it is important for all healthcare professionals to understand synchronized cardioversion and possess the skills necessary to perform it.

Synchronized cardioversion skills can be beneficial to nurses, doctors, pharmacists and emergency medical personnel.

Where Can You Learn How to Perform Synchronized Cardioversion?

Reading about the purpose and use of synchronized cardioversion is not sufficient to prepare healthcare professionals to use this procedure. In order to ensure that you are ready to perform synchronized cardioversion in a clinical setting, formal training is highly recommended. In fact, some employers may require you to have training in this technique.

The best way to learn how to perform synchronized cardioversion is to enroll in a course that includes this type of training. For example, Advanced Cardiac Life Support training often covers synchronized cardioversion. You may be able to find Advanced Cardiac Life Support courses from a variety of sources, giving you plenty of options to choose from when it comes to getting the education you need.

For the best results, it is important to consider several different factors as you compare ACLS programs. Some of these factors include:

The structure of the program. – Different ACLS program structures are available, including in-person programs, online programs and hybrid programs conducted both in person and online. Different program structures may be more appealing to you based on your own goals and preferences. For example, if you would rather complete your ACLS program from the comfort of your own home while learning at your own pace, you may opt for an online program.
The program’s reputation. – One of the most important things to consider when comparing ACLS courses is the reputation of the program in question. Be sure to investigate reviews from past students, as well as the general reputation of the company offering the course. Gathering this information will help you decide whether the program will be effective, affordable and easy for you to complete.
The certification provided. – Most people who are enrolling in an ACLS program are hoping to walk away with a certification that will be accepted by their employer. Before you begin any ACLS program, make sure the program ends in a certification that will satisfy your employer’s requirements.
The convenience of the program. – When you work in a busy, high-intensity profession like healthcare, convenience is always important. Look for a program that offers the conveniences that matter most to you. For example, at Advanced Medical Certification, we provide our students with a digital copy of their certification card as soon as they pass the ACLS exam. For students who need to turn in evidence of certification as quickly as possible, this is a highly valuable benefit.
Affordability – If you are not being reimbursed by your employer for the cost of your training program, you may also consider the price. However, it is always essential to prioritize program quality over expense.

The Importance of Continuing Education

Synchronized cardioversion is a complicated procedure that must be performed accurately in order to ensure the best chances of success. For this reason, studying the procedure only one time is not recommended. Even after you have studied synchronized cardioversion and obtained the related ACLS certification, it is still important to review these skills on a regular basis. In fact, most employers will require you to obtain an updated certification at regular intervals to show that you still possess the necessary knowledge and skills. Learning more about synchronized cardioversion and other important life-saving procedures through additional independent study can also be helpful to medical professionals, even if it is not a requirement to remain employed.

Have you learned something new? If yes what is it? Please share with us.

About Greta

Reach out to Greta at greta.kviklyte@advmedcert.com.

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What Does Basic Life Support (BLS) Stand For?

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How to Treat Pulseless Electrical Activity

by Greta Kviklyte

Life Saver, AMC

Co-authored by Kim Murray, RN, M.S.

posted on Dec 14, 2020, at 12:48 pm

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests affect approximately 300,000 people in the United States each year. The survival rate among these patients is low, typically hovering around 8 percent. In-hospital cardiac arrests are also recorded in many patients Some patients with cardiac arrest present with pulseless electrical activity, or PEA. This type of presentation requires a specific approach in order to maximize survival rates.

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What Is Pulseless Electrical Activity?

Pulseless electrical activity occurs when a patient has cardiac electrical activity but no pulse. This means that no mechanical contracts are occurring, despite organized electrical activity in the heart. The pulseless electrical activity includes any type of cardiac arrest rhythm that cannot be categorized as asystole, ventricular fibrillation, or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Pulseless electrical activity was previously referred to as “electromechanical dissociation.”

It is important to note that cases of PEA can be broken down into two subcategories: pseudo-PEA and true PEA. Pseudo-PEA occurs when cardiac contractions are occurring, but they are not strong enough to create a palpable pulse. True PEA, on the other hand, involves no mechanical contractions in the heart at all. True PEA is more serious than pseudo-PEA.

Causes of Pulseless Electrical Activity

Pulseless electrical activity may occur because of any issue that inhibits the shortening of myocardial fibers, thus preventing mechanical contractions. Possible causes of pulseless electrical activity include ionic perturbations, metabolic acidosis, ischemia and hypoxia. Patients may experience PEA after a drug overdose, myocardial infarction, trauma, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, cardiac tamponade, pulmonary embolism, or sepsis.
Studies indicate that pulseless electrical activity accounts for as many as 40 percent of cardiac arrests in the hospital and as many as 40 percent of cardiac arrest events outside of the hospital.

Seriousness of PEA

Pulseless electrical activity is associated with a poor prognosis for patients. Studies show that only 2 to 5 percent of patients who experience PEA outside of the hospital will survive. The survival rate is even lower when PEA presents after countershock instead of as the initial rhythm.

Treating Pulseless Electrical Activity

The treatment recommendations for patients with pulseless electrical activity vary based on whether the patient is in the hospital or outside of the hospital at the time of the event, as well as the cause of the PEA.

PEA in the Hospital

When PEA is being treated in a hospital setting, the recommended course of action typically depends on the suspected cause of cardiac arrest. The 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care recommends that healthcare providers assess 10 different possible issues that could cause PEA when this type of cardiac arrest occurs. These issues are broken down into five H’s and five T’s.

The five H’s are:

Hydrogen ion
Hyperkalemia or hypokalemia
Hypothermia
Hypovolemia
Hypoxia

The five T’s are:

Thrombosis (cardiac)
Thrombosis (pulmonary)
Toxins
Tamponade
Tension pneumothorax

Regardless of the cause of PEA, the first step in treating this condition is always to begin chest compressions based on the advanced cardiac life support protocol. Epinephrine should also be administered every three to five minutes while the cause of the PEA is identified. After the factors contributing to the development of PEA have been identified, treatment of PEA typically involves reversing the cause of the event. The basic treatment recommendations for each of these potential causes of PEA are detailed below.

Hydrogen Ion (Acidosis)

Acidosis can be quickly confirmed with an arterial blood gas. If the patient is suffering from metabolic acidosis, the treatment may involve sodium bicarbonate administration. if the patient is suffering from respiratory acidosis, ventilation is the recommended treatment.

Hyperkalemia or Hypokalemia

Hypokalemia is a common electrolyte disturbance that can cause PEA when potassium levels drop to dangerous lows. Administration of potassium is recommended in cases of hypokalemia.

Hyperkalemia occurs when potassium levels are dangerously high. The treatment of hyperkalemia involves protecting the heart, shifting potassium into cells and taking steps to remove potassium from the body.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops to a dangerous level. When hypothermia is the cause of PEA, rewarming of the patient’s body is the recommended treatment to return temperature to normal.

Hypovolemia

Hypovolemia occurs when extracellular fluid levels in the body drop too low. This may occur for many different reasons, from vomiting to blood loss. The recommended treatment for hypovolemia involves infusion of blood products and/or warmed crystalloids. The root cause of hypovolemia should be addressed as well.

Hypoxia

Low oxygen levels can occur for many different reasons, including asthma, anemia, drowning and many other conditions. Ventilation and restoring oxygen levels is the best treatment for hypoxia.

Thrombosis (Cardiac)

Treating cardiac thrombosis usually involves an intervention designed to resolve the clot, such as primary percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary angiography.

Thrombosis (Pulmonary)

Most cases of pulmonary thrombosis begin with deep vein thrombosis. Possible treatments involve surgical removal of the clot, percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and administration of fibrinolytics.

Toxins

A variety of different toxins can cause pulseless electrical activity. Some of the different types of toxins that may cause this condition include local anesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids and benzodiazepines. The treatment for pulseless electrical activity caused by a toxin will depend on the type of toxin responsible.

Tamponade

Cardiac tamponade occurs when the pericardial sac fills with fluid, leading to cardiac arrest. This condition can be treated by pericardiocentesis or thoracotomy.

Tension Pneumothorax

Tension pneumothorax occurs when air accumulates in the patient’s pleural space. Treating this condition requires needle compression and/or a thoracostomy.

PEA Outside of the Hospital

Treating PEA outside of the hospital typically involves following an established, generalized protocol regardless of the cause of the event. This means that the individual administering aid will follow the advanced cardiac life support protocol until the patient can be transferred to a setting where more intensive diagnostic and treatment services are available. Once these resources are available, ACLS protocols should be continued and epinephrine should be administered every three to five minutes until the cause of the PEA can be identified.

Learning Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Treating pulseless electrical activity both inside and outside of the hospital involves the use of Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocols. In order to ensure that you are up-to-date on the latest ACLS guidelines, as well as to comply with your employer’s requirements, you must keep up with ACLS certifications. However, if you are working as a healthcare professional, you already have a busy schedule that may make it incredibly difficult to keep up with these requirements.

ACLS Course Options

medical-doctor-holding-a-mobile-infront-a-laptop To obtain the ACLS certification you need to remain compliant at work and be prepared to treat conditions like pulseless electrical activity, you need to complete an ACLS course at regular intervals. Three different course structures are available to healthcare professionals who need ACLS certification: in-person courses, hybrid courses and online courses.

In-Person Courses

In-person ACLS courses are completed entirely in a classroom setting. When you choose this type, of course, you will complete all of your coursework while surrounded by other students. You will also take your exam in-person. These programs are ideal for students who want face-to-face interactions with teachers and hands-on learning experiences. However, there are drawbacks to in-person courses as well. For example, when you enroll in an in-person course, you must attend scheduled sessions that could interfere with your other obligations.

Hybrid Courses

Hybrid courses are completed using a combination of in-person sessions and online coursework. While some of the course will require you to attend in-person, scheduled sessions, the remainder of the materials can be completed at your convenience in the comfort of your own home. Hybrid courses offer a greater level of freedom and convenience than in-person courses, but they are more structured than online courses.

Online Courses

Online courses are completed entirely over the internet, with no in-person meetings required. These courses can be completed entirely on your own time, allowing you to set your own pace and decide when and where you will complete your coursework. Online courses are ideal for students who are busy and/or prefer to work on their own.

Choosing the Right Course

In order to choose the right ACLS course for your needs, it is important to consider your own needs and preferences. For example, if you are someone who benefits from face-to-face interactions, you may prefer to study in person. However, if you are someone who prefers to set your own schedule and would rather not deal with the constraints of an in-person program, you may benefit more from an online or hybrid course.

ACLS Certification from Advanced Medical Certification

Advanced Medical Certification offers a fully online ACLS certification course to help you get the credentials and training you need to meet your employer’s requirements and make sure you have the skills necessary to do your job.

Some of the benefits of obtaining your ACLS certification online include:

- Fewer time constraints – When you choose to obtain your certification online, you won’t have to attend sessions at scheduled times. Instead, you can complete your coursework on your own time according to your own schedule.
- Flexibility – Advanced Medical Certification’s course can be completed at your own pace. If you want to complete the course quickly, you can move faster through the materials. However, you can also choose to take your time if necessary.
- Privacy – Completing your ACLS certification online with Advanced Medical Certification prevents you from being required to interact face-to-face with instructors or other students.
- Safety – In light of the pandemic, many students have chosen online learning over in-person and hybrid options because it offers less risk. When you obtain your credentials through Advanced Medical Certification, you won’t face any exposure to coronavirus or other pathogens because of the course.

Advanced Medical Certification’s ACLS course is designed to be as quick and convenient for students as possible. With our help, you will be able to complete your coursework with only a few hours of time invested. In addition, we have developed a stress-free exam process that takes the pressure off and allows you to obtain your credentials with ease. Like all of our coursework, our exam is completed entirely online. If you don’t pass the test on the first try, you can retake it as many times as needed at no additional cost. We will even provide you with immediate access to your results so you can see what you missed and improve your chances of passing the exam on the next attempt.

As soon as you have completed your ACLS course and passed the exam, you will receive a digital copy of your certification card to give to your employer. We can also mail you a hard copy of this document if needed. We know how important it is to obtain a quality ACLS certification that will fulfill your employer’s requirements. Our certifications are accepted all across the nation, and we guarantee that the certification you receive will meet your employer’s needs. If your certification is not accepted by your employer, we offer a full refund of all course fees.

All of the materials used in Advanced Medical Certification’s ACLS course are designed to offer the same quality of education as any in-person or hybrid course. These materials are included in the cost of your course and will be provided digitally.

If you are in need of an initial ACLS certification or a renewal, Advanced Medical Certification offers one of the most convenient and affordable options available. Please contact us today to learn more. You can also visit our website to enroll in a course.

About Greta

Reach out to Greta at greta.kviklyte@advmedcert.com.

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Tips for Keeping Up with Certifications as a Pandemic Travel Nurse

by Greta Kviklyte

Life Saver, AMC

Co-authored by Kim Murray, RN, M.S.

posted on Nov 30, 2020, at 6:17 pm

Working as a travel nurse is one of the best ways for nurses to increase their income and maintain an exciting lifestyle. In the midst of the pandemic, the need for travel nurses has increased dramatically, making this career path more popular among nurses all around the country.
When you are moving from one travel nursing job to the next, keeping up with all of your professional requirements can be a challenge. If you want to keep all of your required certifications up-to-date, you need to be proactive and plan carefully.

We offer Online ACLS, PALS and BLS Certification and Renewal

Continuing Education, Licensure and Employment Requirements for Nurses

Nurses are required to complete a specific number of continuing education hours in order to maintain licensure. Nurses must also obtain and renew certain certifications in order to maintain their employment. Your specific requirements will depend on the state issuing your nursing license, as well as your employer’s requirements. You may also have different requirements depending on the type of nursing license you possess, as well as the specifics of your position.

Challenges for Travel Nurses in the Pandemic

As a travel nurse working in the pandemic, you face unique challenges that may make it more difficult for you to maintain all of your professional requirements. Some of these challenges include:

Juggling employer requirements – Travel nurses typically take on short-term assignments with different employers. Each employer determines their own requirements for employees, which can make it difficult for nurses to keep up.
Traveling – Travel nurses often move to different cities or even different states for their assignments. Planning and preparing for these moves takes time and effort that makes it difficult for nurses to manage their other obligations and requirements.
Stress – Working as a nurse is stressful even under normal circumstances. Working as a travel nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic is even more challenging. With so much extra stress, you may forget to keep up with administrative tasks like finishing continuing education courses.

Tips for Keeping Up with Requirements

Keeping up with your continuing education and certification requirements is not always easy when you have a busy schedule. If you are working as a travel nurse in the midst of the current pandemic, the tips below will help you keep up with all of your professional obligations.

1. Understand all of your requirements.

The first step to keeping up with all of your professional requirements is understanding them. To learn about your requirements, contact your state’s nursing board and speak with your employer. If you are working as a travel nurse, your staffing service may also be able to help you take inventory of the requirements you need to meet.

2. Keep track of expirations and deadlines.

Keep written records of all of your certification expiration dates, continuing education deadlines and other important dates related to your professional requirements. Set electronic reminders so you don’t forget to fulfill your requirements on time.

3. Schedule your required courses at convenient times.

It can sometimes be tempting to leave your requirements to the last minute, especially when you are juggling so many other responsibilities. However, when you procrastinate on these requirements, you are more likely to miss one. You are also more likely to experience intense stress when trying to pack all of your requirements into a small amount of time.

4. Look for ways to complete your requirements more easily.

Different options are available to travel nurses who need to complete their continuing education requirements. Some of these options are more convenient for nurses than others. Looking for convenient options is one of the best ways to ease the burden of your professional requirements. For example, many CE courses and certifications can be obtained online, avoiding all of the trouble associated with going to an in-person class.

5. Make sure your courses and certifications will be accepted.

Some companies offer continuing education courses and/or certifications that are not accepted by all employers or nursing boards. For this reason, it is important to verify that the courses you take will get you CE credits and certifications that will actually be accepted. Otherwise, you have wasted valuable time and will need to find another way to meet your requirements.

Fulfilling Requirements with Online Courses

In the past, many of the continuing education and certification requirements nurses had to meet could only be fulfilled with in-person courses and meetings. This was highly inconvenient, especially for nurses who work long schedules. Many nurses would have trouble planning these meetings around their work schedules and personal obligations.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, these in-person meetings are not only an inconvenience, but they are also dangerous. When you meet in person for the purpose of fulfilling your professional requirements, you are putting yourself at risk of contracting the virus. Most of these classes involve multiple nurses all meeting in the same place and sharing equipment. If anyone in attendance is infected with the virus, you may contract it. Given that your nursing job itself is already putting you at risk, it is important to avoid additional exposures as much as you can.

Benefits of Online Courses

Taking your certification and continuing education courses online offers a wide range of benefits for travel nurses working in the pandemic. Some of these benefits include:

Convenience – One of the most obvious benefits of taking online continuing education or certification courses is the convenience of these courses. When you choose an online course, you can complete the coursework on your own time without worrying about interferences with your work schedule. You can also complete all of the coursework in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Since travel nurses are already spending significant time away from home, this is a highly desirable benefit.
Less time – Online continuing education and certification courses usually take up less of your time than a traditional in-person course. With a traditional in-person course, you must travel to and from the facility, and you must go through the course material at a pace designed to accommodate the slowest learners in the room. With an online course, you don’t have to spend time traveling back and forth, and you can move through the course more quickly if desired.
Less risk of exposure – Online courses do not pose any risk of COVID-19. These courses allow you to complete all of your coursework remotely, which means you won’t have to spend time in a room with any other people who could be carrying the virus.
Less pressure – In-person courses add an unreasonable amount of pressure to your life, which is busy enough on its own when you are working as a travel nurse. With an online option, you won’t have to adhere to anyone else’s schedule or timetable. Instead, you can move at your own pace.

Getting Certified Online with Advanced Medical Certification

Advanced Medical Certification is proud to offer several different types of certification for travel nurses and other healthcare professionals who are trying to keep up with their requirements in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Certifications available from Advanced Medical Certification include:

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid

Our courses are designed to be as convenient for travel nurses and other healthcare professionals as possible. When you choose to obtain your certifications through our company, you will:

1. Take a course that is both convenient and quick.

Traditional certification courses often require you to spend multiple days in training before you can obtain the certification. However, with an online option from Advanced Medical Certification, you can complete the entire course much more quickly, and you won’t have to attend multiple classes. Alternatively, if desired, you can also move through online courses more slowly.

2. Have a simplified exam process.

Our certification courses require you to pass an exam after you have completed all course materials. Advanced Medical Certification has designed the exam process to be as stress-free as possible for students. We offer all students practice tests to help them prepare for the exam. In addition, there is no time limit on the exam, which means you can move through the test at your own pace. In addition, you are allowed to take the exams as many times as you need in order to pass with no additional charges. If you fail a certification exam, you will have access to your results so you can improve your chances of passing the next time you take the test.

3. Gain access to high-quality educational materials.

Advanced Medical Certification provides all of the materials needed to complete the course. All materials will be made available digitally. Depending on the course, you may receive skills training videos, as well as reading materials. At the end of your course, you will complete an online certification exam.

4. Get training specific to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many medical protocols, including some of the protocols used in CPR and other life-saving measures. Keeping up with all of these changes can be challenging. However, these new guidelines are designed to minimize the transmission of the virus and make the best use of healthcare resources. All of the certifications available from Advanced Medical Certification are structured to teach students about any new guidelines related to COVID-19 so they can be well-prepared for all possible scenarios.

5. Have a guarantee of acceptance.

Nothing is more frustrating than completing an entire certification program only to realize that your certification will not be accepted by your employer. Advanced Medical Certification’s programs are designed to be as effective and robust as any other program available, including blended learning programs and in-person courses. Our certifications are accepted by employers all across the nation. For the benefit of our clients, we offer a guarantee that your certification will be accepted by your employer. If your certification is not accepted, we will refund your money.

6. Enjoy a simplified process.

With Advanced Medical Certification, it will be easy to get the training you need without dealing with confusing procedures or expectations. With our courses, you need only an internet connection and an appropriate device, such as a computer or tablet. You can even take the course on your phone. After you have completed the course, your certification will be immediately available to you digitally. Paper cards can also be mailed if desired.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the field of healthcare in a variety of different ways. Because of this pandemic, travel nursing has become a more popular choice among nurses everywhere. In fact, with the increase in patient loads across the nation, travel nurses are in higher demand than they have ever been before. Although choosing to work as a travel nurse may give you access to a higher salary and better benefits, it will also make it more difficult for you to keep up with all of your certifications. With the help of Advanced Medical Certification, however, you can keep all of your necessary credentials up-to-date with ease. Our courses are the most convenient option available, with no in-person classes or exams required. In addition, our certifications are recognized all around the country, and we guarantee that your credentials will be accepted. Visit our website today to learn more about our certification courses or to sign up.

About Greta

Reach out to Greta at greta.kviklyte@advmedcert.com.

Keep reading

What is advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification

What Does Basic Life Support (BLS) Stand For?

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Basic Life Support Recommendations to Minimize Coronavirus Spread

by Greta Kviklyte

Life Saver, AMC

Co-authored by Kim Murray, RN, M.S.

posted on Nov 13, 2020, at 4:11 pm

The novel coronavirus has presented a wide variety of healthcare challenges that has changed the way providers interact with patients and their families. While some of these procedural changes are designed to protect the coronavirus patients themselves, others are designed to minimize the spread of this virus to other people. One area of healthcare that has seen a change in recommendations is Basic Life Support, or BLS. Below is a discussion of the need for changes to BLS procedures, as well as the current recommendations for individuals providing this type of care.

We offer Online ACLS, PALS and BLS Certification and Renewal

BLS and the Spread of COVID-19

Because of their close contact with infected patients, people working in the healthcare field have the highest risk of contracting COVID-19. This risk is especially pronounced when workers do not have the proper personal protective equipment, or when this equipment is not used in accordance with accepted guidelines. All interactions with infected patients can pose a risk of infection to healthcare providers, but this risk is even greater during resuscitations.

Why Are Resuscitations Risky?

When a healthcare professional administers basic life support, the procedure itself generates aerosols. For example, when a healthcare provider or another individual is establishing an airway, performing chest compressions or using positive-pressure ventilation, viral particles are released into the air. Once released into the air, the American Heart Association reports that these viral particles have a half-life of about one hour. In addition, resuscitation requires multiple healthcare providers to work close to one another, as well as close to the patient infected with COVID-19, which increases the risk of infection even more. In addition, resuscitations are emergency situations that bring about high stress. As a result, healthcare providers may be more likely to neglect important infection control practices, putting themselves and others at a greater risk of infection.

Exploring Basic Life Support Recommendations Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the increased risks for healthcare providers who are administering BLS during the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Heart Association collaborated with the American Society of Anesthesiologists, The Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American Association for Respiratory Care and the American Academy of Pediatrics to develop recommendations designed to minimize the risk of transmission. These new guidelines include:

1. Consider carefully whether CPR is appropriate.

Understand the burden of CPR in the context of COVID-19. – Providing life support requires great effort on the part of healthcare providers or other rescuers. When COVID-19 is present, the risk of exposure is high, especially in regions with high concentrations of infection. In addition, the mortality rate for patients who have COVID-19 increases significantly with age and for patients who have certain pre-existing conditions. Thus, it is important for healthcare providers to consider whether the benefits of beginning or continuing CPR for a given patient justify the associated risks.
Communicate with patients. – When interacting with patients who have COVID-19, discuss the possibility of life support services. Ask patients (or their healthcare proxies) to provide instructions in the event of a need for an increased level of care.
Create and follow clear policies for determining the appropriateness of CPR. – All healthcare organizations and agencies that provide life support services should develop clear policies that help frontline workers determine whether they should start or continue CPR for a patient who has COVID-19. These policies should be based on the patient’s goals of care, likelihood of survivor and risk factors for infection. Policies should be published and communicated to patients, as well as to every frontline worker.
Use extracorporeal CPR sparingly. – The use of extracorporeal CPR for patients with COVID-19 is not supported by data at this time.

2. Reduce the exposure of providers to COVID-19.

Wear the recommended PPE at all times. – Before entering a room to administer life support, every rescuer should put on the appropriate PPE in order to protect themselves from contact with any airborne virus. Specific PPE recommendations may vary based on the situation.
Limit personnel. – The number of personnel permitted in the room during BLS should be minimized as much as possible to permit social distancing and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Only people who are performing an essential function should be in the room during the procedure.
Use mechanical CPR devices. – When possible, mechanical CPR devices should be used in place of manual chest compressions. This reduces the number of rescuers required in the room, which in turn reduces the spread of COVID-19. Mechanical CPR devices should be used only in settings where the patient meets the device manufacturer’s height and weight criteria.
Communicate. – When new personnel arrives on the scene, or when a patient is being transferred to another location, COVID-19 status should be clearly communicated so that all personnel who interact with the patient can take the appropriate precautions.

3. Prioritize the use of strategies that have lower aerosolization rates.

Minimize aerosols before intubation. – Prior to intubating the patient, use a bag-mask device that has a tight seal and a HEPA filter. For adult patients, a non breathing face mask covered with a surgical mask may also be used for passive oxygenation.
Intubate patients in cardiac arrest. – Intubate patients who are in cardiac arrest with a cuffed tube as soon as possible.
Use video laryngoscopy. – If video laryngoscopy is available, use this technology to reduce the intubator’s exposure to aerosolized virus particles.
Improve intubation success. – Improve the success rate of intubation by choosing the approach that will give the best chance of success on the first try. Chest compressions should also be paused during this time to prevent intubation failure.
Use HEPA filters. – When using any mechanical or manual ventilation devices, attach a HEPA filter in the path of exhaled gas before administering life support.
Minimize disconnections. – Once the patient is on a closed circuit, reduce aerosolization of virus particles by minimizing disconnections.

Training and Certification

healthcare-professional-studying In order to administer BLS safely and appropriately, rescuers need the proper training. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for good quality training becomes even more important. Administering CPR now poses risks that were not present previously, and the protocols and recommendations are continuing to change as more information becomes available. For this reason, it is important for every healthcare provider, emergency medical services technician or other potential rescuer to get updated, quality BLS training and certification.

In the past, most people obtaining CPR certification attended in-person classes where they learned the procedures and practiced them under supervision. However, thanks to advances in technology, it is now possible to get the training and certification you need entirely online.

Comparing Program Types

Several different types of BLS training programs are available. These structures include courses conducted entirely in a classroom, blended courses and courses conducted entirely online. Each of these different programs offers its own benefits. However, in the era of COVID-19, online programs offer advantages that make them preferable for many people in need of certification. Some of the advantages of online training programs include:

A lower risk of exposure to COVID-19. – All courses are conducted entirely over the internet and no in-person interactions will be required. Both in-person and blended courses, on the other hand, will require the use of shared equipment, as well as close interactions with instructors and other students.
Convenience. – When you are working as a healthcare provider, you already have a busy schedule, and it can be difficult to get the training and certifications you need through in-person or even blended courses. With an online training course, however, you can complete your training on your own time from any location that has internet access. In addition, online courses allow you to determine your own pace, which means you can move through the program as slowly or as quickly as you want.
Certifications your employer will accept. – When comparing different program structures, prospective BLS training students are often concerned that an online course won’t provide an acceptable certification. However, a high-quality online BLS course will provide equivalent training using all of the same materials and teaching all of the same skills as an in-person or blended learning course.

BLS Training from Advanced Medical Certification

Advanced Medical Certification offers an online BLS training program to help both healthcare professionals and civilian rescuers gain the knowledge and skills they need to perform CPR. In addition, this course provides AMA Category 1 continuing education credit. Our course is appropriate for both initial BLS certifications and recertifications. Advanced Medical Certification’s BLS training program provides numerous benefits and advantages.

Guaranteed Acceptance

Our BLS certification program was designed specifically to maximize the likelihood of employer acceptance. We use all of the same high-quality materials as an in-person course, and we teach all of the same skills you would learn in any other high-quality program. In fact, we are so confident that your certification will be accepted that we offer a money-back guarantee.

A Simplified Exam Experience

When you choose to obtain your BLS certification from Advanced Medical Certification, you won’t have to take a classroom skills exam. Instead, you will complete your exam entirely online. Our exams are not timed, so you can move through the test at your own desired pace. If you fail the exam, you can re-take it as many times as you want with no additional payment required. In addition, we offer practice questions to help you prepare for the test.

Up-to-Date Information

Because of COVID-19, the guidelines and recommendations for BLS procedures are always changing. As a result, it is important for anyone obtaining BLS certification to make sure the program they choose is offering the most up-to-date information. Fortunately, Advanced Medical Certification takes steps to make sure all of its training programs are updated in accordance with all of the latest CPR recommendations.

A Quick Certification

Many students are able to complete our course in as little as one hour. This allows you to get the certification you need and get back to your life quickly. For added convenience, we also offer an instant digital BLS provider card you can download as soon as you have completed the course, as well as a BLS certificate. If necessary, we can also mail a copy of these documents free of charge.

Contact Advanced Medical Certification

Becoming BLS certified in the time of COVID-19 comes with its own unique complications. Because of changes to protocols and the increased risk of exposure to infection when providing CPR, it is essential for every rescuer to be sure that they have the information they need to provide CPR safely and appropriately. In addition, all frontline workers who have CPR certification requirements must still continue to obtain the necessary recertifications, regardless of the obstacles brought about by the pandemic.

Fortunately, Advanced Medical Certification makes it easy for you to become BLS certified or recertified with as little time, effort and risk as possible. With our program, you will learn everything you need to know to perform BLS, including updated information released because of the risks of COVID-19. In addition, you will not be required to attend in-person classes or take any in-person exams. Instead, you can complete the entire program on your own time from the comfort of your own home. Please contact Advanced Medical Certification today to learn more, or simply log onto our website to begin the enrollment process.

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About Greta

Reach out to Greta at greta.kviklyte@advmedcert.com.

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