Refugio County Memorial Hospital

The American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) course is a scenario-based program that trains healthcare providers to rapidly recognize and intervene in adult pre-arrest, arrest, and post-arrest states. The curriculum centers on the integration of high-quality basic life support with advanced interventions, teaching a systematic approach (Primary and Secondary Surveys) alongside the critical management of acute coronary syndromes, acute ischemic stroke, and life-threatening arrhythmias. Participants also gain hands-on experience with adult cardiovascular pharmacology and electrical therapies like defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion, and transcutaneous pacing, all while emphasizing high-performance team dynamics and effective communication.

To succeed, students must be fully proficient in Adult BLS and complete a mandatory pre-course self-assessment prior to attending. Certification is earned by passing an open-resource written exam and a hands-on "Megacode" practical evaluation, where the student must successfully lead a resuscitation team through a dynamic, simulated adult cardiovascular emergency. Upon completion, providers receive an AHA ACLS certification valid for two years.

Typical participants include:

• First Responders: Paramedics and advanced EMTs who manage critical adult patients in the prehospital setting.
• Nursing Professionals: Registered nurses, as well as nursing students preparing for clinical roles in emergency departments, intensive care units, telemetry units, or medical-surgical floors.
• Physicians & Advanced Practice Providers: Doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.
• Allied Health Professionals: Respiratory therapists and other clinical staff working in acute care, cardiology, or resuscitation environments.