FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

2015 Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

As of June 21, 2016

GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q: What is the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Course?
A: This video-based, Instructor-led, advanced course, builds on the foundation of basic life support (BLS) skills. It
emphasizes the importance of continuous, high-quality CPR and takes healthcare provider training to the next
level - highlighting the importance of high-performance team dynamics and communication, systems of care,
recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest, acute dysrhythmia,
stroke, and acute coronary syndromes.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s new ACLS Course offers

· The latest resuscitation science for improved patient outcomes
· Realistic scenarios, simulations, and animations depicting rescuers, teams, and patients
· Course and content flexibility for Heart and Stroke Foundation Instructors and students, including
adaptability to local protocols

Q: What specifically is taught in the new ACLS Course?

A: After successfully completing the ACLS Course, students should be able to:
•Apply the BLS, Primary, and Secondary Assessments sequence for a systematic evaluation of adult patients
• Perform prompt, high-quality BLS; including prioritizing early chest compressions and integrating early
automated external defibrillator (AED) use
• Recognize respiratory arrest
• Perform early management of respiratory arrest
• Discuss early recognition and management of ACS, including appropriate disposition
• Discuss early recognition and management of stroke, including appropriate disposition
• Recognize bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias that may result in cardiac arrest
or complicate resuscitation outcome
• Perform early management of bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias that may result in cardiac arrest or
complicate resuscitation outcome
• Recognize cardiac arrest
• Perform early management of cardiac arrest until termination of resuscitation or transfer of care, including
immediate post–cardiac arrest care
• Model effective communication as a member or leader of a high-performance team
• Evaluate resuscitative efforts during a cardiac arrest through continuous assessment of CPR quality,
monitoring the patient’s physiologic response, and delivering real-time feedback to the team
• Recognize the impact of team dynamics on overall team performance
• Discuss how the use of a rapid response team or medical emergency team may improve patient outcomes
• Define systems of care

Q: Who is the intended audience for the ACLS Course?

A: The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s ACLS Course is designed for healthcare professionals who either direct or
participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies. This includes

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 personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care units such as
physicians, nurses, and paramedics, as well as others who need an ACLS course completion card for job or
other requirements.

It is highly recommended that only those who will use the skills of ACLS within their scope of practice take the
ACLS Course. All students who meet the prerequisites and successfully pass the ACLS course will receive a
course completion card.. Receipt of a course completion does not grant permission to practice the skills
learned.

Q: My Instructor told me I need a copy of the new 2015 ACLS Provider Manual and the 2015
Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Health Care Provider (ECC Handbook), where do
I purchase these?
A: Student resources can be conveniently purchased at Heart Shop, our online store:
https://resuscitation.heartandstroke.ca/heartshop. You can shop as a guest or log into your Resuscitation
portal account to set up a Heart Shop account.

Q: What materials are available for the ACLS Instructor-led Course?

A: Materials for the Heart and Stroke Foundation Instructor-led training course currently available through the
Heart and Stroke Foundation’s e-Store Heart Shop include:
Student Materials:
Provider Manual – print (RE5110E) or eBook (RE5110ED)
2015 Handbook of Emergency Cardiovascular Care for Healthcare Providers – print (RE0120E) or
eBook(RE0120ED)
Pocket Reference Card – print (RE5570E) or digital (RE5570ED)
Provider Bundle – print(RE5600E)
General Materials:
Poster Set (RE5590E)
Emergency Crash Cart Card Set (RE5580E)
Instructor Materials:
Instructor Manual- print (RE5220E) or eBook (RE5220ED)
Course DVD Set (RE5330E)
Instructor Kit Gold (RE5540E-Gold)
Instructor Kit Silver (RE5540E-Silver)
Instructor Kit Bronze (RE5540E-Bronze)

Q: Are the new 2015 ACLS Materials available in French?

A: The 2015 ACLS Materials will be available in French; however we do not have a firm release date for these
materials at this time. We expect to have the 2015 French ACLS products available in Fall 2016.

Q: I already have ACLS materials from the 2010 Guidelines. Do I need to purchase the new 2015 ACLS
Course materials?
A: Yes. Heart and Stroke Foundation’s all new ACLS Course materials integrate changes to the science as well as
to the educational principles introduced in the 2015 Guidelines Update for CPR and ECC. These materials must
be used to teach the new 2015 ACLS courses.

Q: How does the 2010 ACLS Provider Manual differ from the new 2015 ACLS Provider Manual?
A: The 2015 ACLS Provider Manual incorporates the 2015 Guidelines Update science. This course builds on the
foundation of basic life support (BLS) skills, emphasizing the importance of continuous, high-quality CPR. This

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 new provider manual follows the design of the new 2015 ACLS course and highlights the importance of high-
performance team dynamics and communication, systems of care, recognition and intervention of
cardiopulmonary arrest, immediate post-cardiac arrest care, acute dysrhythmia, stroke, and acute coronary
syndromes.

Q: I need to renew my ACLS certification. Can I take the new 2015 ACLS course as a renewal course?
A: Y e s, the 2015 course includes new science and content not covered in 2010 course. The 2015 ACLS Renewal
course includes a Science Update section that will cover these changes.

Q: What is the validation period for the new 2015 ACLS course completion card?
A: Course completion cards for individuals who successfully complete the 2015 ACLS course are valid for 2 years.
Q: When can I start taking the 2015 ACLS Course? How will I know if my Instructor is teaching the
new science?
A: Our new ACLS materials are available now, and instructors are able to start conducting courses using the new
curriculum. It may take time for instructors to become familiar with the new material and begin offering
courses. To confirm that you’re receiving a 2015 ACLS course with 2015 materials and content, contact your
instructor or training provider.

Q. What are the prerequisites for the new 2015 ACLS Course?
A. In order to take a 2015 ACLS course, you must have a current Heart and Stroke Foundation BLS provider
course completion card, proficiency in ECG recognition, ACLS pharmacology and receive 70% or greater on
the ACLS Pre-course self-assessment. Instructions on how to access the ACLS pre-course self-assessment can
be found on page ii of the Heart and Stroke Foundation ACLS Provider Manual. You will need to bring your
pre-course self-assessment certificate, along with a copy of your current BLS provider card, to your course.

Q. Can I show my BLS card from another organization to meet the prerequisite for the 2015 ACLS
course?
A. No, the Heart and Stroke Foundation BLS course completion card is the only BLS card accepted as the BLS
prerequisite requirement for the Heart and Stroke Foundation ACLS course.

Q. Do providers taking the ACLS renewal course, still need to complete the precourse self-assessment and
BLS prerequisites?
A. Yes, the ACLS precourse self-assessment and BLS prerequisites are a mandatory prerequisite for the ACLS provider
and the ACLS provider renewal course.

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