As a healthcare professional, there are a lot of certifications you need to get, and one of them is probably called ACLS. This stands for Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and this refers to an algorithm that helps you understand what to do next in the event of a cardiac emergency. A lot of people are also BLS-certified, which stands for Basic Life Support. There is a strong chance that you will need to get BLS and ACLS certified.

Therefore, you need to understand what ACLS is and why it is so important. Take a look at some of the basic topics covered through ACLS below, and do not forget to earn your certification from a reputable provider.

understanding acls

What Is ACLS?

You might encounter a patient who is experiencing a cardiac emergency. This may take place in a hospital setting, or it may take place in a local park when you are out and about. Regardless, when someone suffers a cardiac emergency, you want to be able to respond immediately. Someone who is certified in ACLS will know exactly what to do next.

ACLS covers a wide variety of topics. These include pulmonary emboli, strokes, and heart attacks. ACLS will teach someone how to perform CPR, how to use an AED, how and when to administer certain medications, and how to effectively manage an airway. ACLS will also teach someone how to look at an EKG, interpret the rhythm, and act accordingly.

ACLS is required for a wide variety of medical personnel, including doctors and nurses. Knowledge of ACLS is important, and it helps someone to learn how to respond in the event of an emergency.

Why Is ACLS So Important?

Clearly, ACLS will cover a wide range of topics. There are several reasons why it is so important. Some of the biggest reasons include:

1. You Can Save a Life

One of the biggest reasons why you should become ACLS certified is that you can save a life. The reality is that many of the issues discussed above are life-threatening. If you are able to respond immediately, you could make the difference between someone surviving and not surviving. It can take several minutes for EMS to respond, but if you are there right away, you might be able to keep the airway open or keep blood flowing.

Furthermore, even if it doesn't make the difference between life and death, you may significantly improve the outcome of that specific patient if you can respond quickly. Therefore, you should become ACLS certified because you could save a life. 

2. It Is Required for Your Job

Of course, you also need to earn your ACLS certification because it could be required for your job. A lot of people who work in the medical setting need to become ACLS certified, or they will not be able to maintain their job position. Even doctors who might not work in the emergency room need to be certified in ACLS. A lot of nurses also need to go through ACLS certification training. If it is required for your job, you need to stay up-to-date with it. 

3. Employers Might Give Preference To Your Application

Even if you work in an area where ACLS is not required, it can still make a significant difference in your ability to get hired. The reality is that people who are certified in ACLS could save a life just about anywhere. An employer might want to have that person around, so they might be more willing to hire you if you have that type of certification. For example, if you are a babysitter, and you know ACLS, a daycare center or parents of children might want to hire you because you know that you can respond in the event of an emergency. 

4. It Helps Other Areas of Your Knowledge Base

Knowledge of ACLS can also come in handy for other areas of your medical career. For example, when you go through ACLS training, you will get a refresher course on how certain medications work, how to read an EKG, and how to position an x-ray. All of this is important for patients you work with every day, regardless of whether they are experiencing a medical emergency. Therefore, you might have an easier time applying this knowledge to other patients as well. If you want to improve patient outcomes, you should earn your ACLS certification. 

5. You Reduce Errors

The healthcare profession does not allow for mistakes. If you make mistakes, they could significantly harm a patient. When you go through ACLS, you will not only learn how to respond but also learn how to respond quickly. The more times you practice, the more accurate you become. Then, when you need to put those skills to use, you know exactly how to respond and how to respond quickly. If you can reduce the chances of making a mistake, you can make a difference in the lives of patients. 

6. You Raise the Standards of Your Medical Facility

The reality is that you will be one of many people who are ACLS certified in your medical facility. The end result is that you raise the quality of care across the board. You become a well-oiled machine with everyone else who has the certification, and you will have an easier time responding appropriately in the event of an emergency. If you want to improve the standard of care at your medical facility, then you need to become ACLS-certified, just like everyone else. 

7. You Earn the Respect of Others

Finally, earning your certification also gives you the respect of other people. Even though this will make a difference in the lives of your patients, you will also earn the respect of everyone else. This includes your co-workers, any administrators, your family members, and your friends. All of them will understand that you have an important set of skills, and they will look to you for advice in various situations. 

Count On The Academy of Online Education and Certifications

Ultimately, these are just a few of the most important reasons why earning your ACLS certification is so important. If you want to become certified in ACLS, you need to work with a reputable provider who can teach you the information you need to know. That is where we can help you. We are The Academy of Online Education and Certifications, and we can help you earn your ACLS certification. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you complete this training process.