With the recent change in the 2020 ACLS & PALS courses, Virtual training is no longer necessary.

The 2020 Release of ACLS & PALS allows for viewing the videos at home and then coming to class for a 2-3 hour session. This is even better than the Virtual option and allows for a safe convenient course.

To minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission during AHA courses, the American Heart Association has put protocols in place that allows us to do our classes virtually.  The upcoming classes will be done via Zoom.  In this session, you will be able to watch the videos and interact with our instructor(s) and take a written exam.  

Please understand that in-person classes are easier for learning. When you take on an Online or Virtual course we assume you have prepared for the course. We do provide links to preparation information so you can get the most from your training. I will emphasize that Virtual and Online training is not the same as in-person training.

​Upon successful completion of this process, you will be scheduled to conduct a hands-on skills practice and skills session. When all course requirements are met you will receive an AHA completion card valid for 2 years. 

We have found this to be very conducive for Renewal students.

For the Initial students, we have taken extra measures to give the best training possible and allow for a Classroom Session that will tie together the online training.

If there are any questions, please reach out directly.

r your patience as we navigate these new waters

Contact the Training Center for more information – 718-441-0656

• The 2020 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC reflect the latest global resuscitation science and treatment recommendations derived from the 2020 International Consensus on CPR and ECC with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR).
• This AHA Guideline is considered the gold standard regarding clinical recommendations in the practice of resuscitation science in North America and around the world.
• Educational and training materials (e.g., BLS for Healthcare Providers) developed by AHA’s ECC Programs department are based on previous AHA Guidelines and focused updates.

• This AHA Guideline is considered the gold standard regarding clinical recommendations in the practice of resuscitation science in North America and around the world.
• Educational and training materials (e.g., BLS for Healthcare Providers) developed by AHA’s ECC Programs department are based on previous AHA Guidelines and focused updates.

The New 2020 American Heart Association courses are taught in a very different manner than in the past. They are closer to the Virtual class format than the traditional class format.

The videos have been improved to provide great detail and help students learn in a much more comfortable environment (your home).

We at GoACLS are proud to be one of the first to offer the 2020 format. Since it is very different from the previous ways of learning, we will explain the format and help you excel in these courses.

The BLS courses haven’t changed in format. You must still come to class and learn BLS while watching videos and practicing on manikins. The BLS course is designed to teach you about BLS, but most of the course is hands-on training.

The ACLS course has changed for the better. You can now watch the classroom videos online. You don’t even have to register for the class prior to using the videos. This is a magnificent change, even those not yet up for renewal can update by watching the videos and gain the new information prior to a renewal class.

ACLS Class Agenda:

We hope this makes certification an easier and better, more conducive learning experience.

1. BLS Review and practice.
2. Overview of the Cardiac Arrest Algorithm.
3. Application and practice of the Cardiac Arrest Algorithm.
4. Overview of ACS and recognition of MI.
5. Application of ACS Algorithm.
6. Overview of the Stroke Algorithm.
7. Recognizing Stroke and application of the Stroke Protocol.

The PALS course has changed for the better. You can now watch the classroom videos online. You don’t even have to register for the class before using the videos. This is a magnificent change; even those not yet up for renewal can update by watching the videos and gaining new information before Renewal or Initial class.

• For Initial & Renewal students:
  • You can do the Pre-Course Work (videos) and practice with the Pre-Course Assessment (ECG Interpretation ACLS Drugs & Practical Application) before even signing up for the course.
  • We have supplied the links here to make it easy for you to start your training and education.

1. Follow this link: elearning.heart.org/courses.
2. Note: If you have not already logged in, the system will ask you to do so. If you have not visited the site before, you’ll be prompted to set up an account (It’s Free).
3. Choose the PALS Precourse Self-Assessment and Precourse Work
4. You must complete the ACLS Precourse Assessment & the ACLS Precourse Work.
5. On completion, print the Completion Certificate and bring it with you to class.

These must be completed before class. Otherwise, you will not be able to participate in the class. If you have questions, call us: 718-441-0656

After completing the Online portions you will be issued a certificate of completion. That certificate will be proof of completion of the Precourse Self-Assessment and Precourse Work.

When you come to class, we will answer any questions you may about the information presented online. The format in the classroom is going to be more about the application of the information learned online;

PALS Class Agenda:

1. BLS Review and practice.
2. Management of Respiratory Issues
3. Management of Shock
4. Management of Bradycardia
5. Management of Tachycardia.
6. Overview of the Cardiac Arrest Algorithm.

At the end of class, we will email you a link to the Final Exam. You can now take the exam at home, the same as the online portion, on the American Heart Association website. We do suggest reviewing the material and videos again before taking the exam.

Upon completing the exam, you will be issued a certificate from the American Heart Association, which will be emailed to us. At that point, we will issue an eCard by email to be claimed as usual on the American Heart website.

You can send certificates to: ahacards@goacls.com

I hope this makes it better and easier for many to take our classes and provide much better patient care.

Thank you for being a healthcare worker, and please keep yourself, family, and patients safe.

As of October 21, 2020

ACLS Provider Instructor-Led Training (ILT) Course Questions:

What is the AHA’s 2020 ACLS Provider Course?

The AHA’s ACLS Provider Course has been updated to reflect new science in the 2020 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC, as well as the 2019 Update to the 2018 ASA Ischemic Stroke Guidelines. ACLS teaches the importance of preventing cardiac arrest, high-performance teams, continuous high-quality CPR, systems of care, recognition and intervention of cardiopulmonary arrest, post-cardiac arrest care, acute dysrhythmias, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The goal of the ACLS Provider Course is to improve outcomes for adult patients of cardiac arrest and other cardiopulmonary emergencies through early recognition and interventions by high-performance teams.

What specifically is taught in the new ACLS Course?

In the 2020 ACLS Provider Course, students will learn and practice:

• Systematic approach (assessment)

• High-quality BLS

• Airway management

• Rhythm recognition

• Defibrillation

• Intravenous (IV)/intraosseous (IO) access (information only)

• Use of medications

• Cardioversion

• Transcutaneous pacing

• High-performance teams

What are the key differences between the 2015 Guidelines and 2020 Guidelines versions of the ACLS

The new ACLS Course includes the following changes:

Learning and testing Stations

The key change in the ACLS Provider Course is achieving a minimal Chest Compression Fraction (CCF) of 81% for more objective practice and testing. This allows everyone to move from a perception of how they did to actual measures of how they performed (perception to reality). This requires scenarios to be run in real-time so that CCF can be measured coupled with a required feedback device for increased CPR quality. Teams will need to work together to figure out how to increase their CCF (i.e., choreography, logistics, etc.) for arrest-related cases. The desire is to transfer this newly acquired knowledge into real-world emergencies. This is the core of increasing survival rates.

Perform—–Measure—–Evaluate/Debrief——Implement changes—–Perform better—–Measure the Continuous improvement cycle

Online exams
The AHA now offers online exams for Instructor-led Training (ILT) courses. Using their Security ID number, Training Centers secure online exams (bundled with eCards or as a standalone option) from ShopCPR to be issued to students during the ILT course. Online exams improve exam security and are just one way the AHA ensures that cardholders around the world have met the same course completion requirements for ACLS classroom training.

Course Videos
• Course videos are available in digital format online and on DVD
• New videos have been added to the ACLS Course, including CPR Coach

Instructor Manual
Part 1: General Concepts – All healthcare Instructor manuals now have a universal section, including • Science and educational principles of resuscitation training • Basic logistics for conducting any AHA course

Precourse Work
Instructor-led courses now include precourse work. If an Instructor chooses this option (recommended), students review course content through online interactive videos before they enter the classroom. Video lessons cover multiple medical subjects to prepare students for the course. Each lesson includes questions to engage students. This format allows more classroom time for hands-on skills training and leads to students being better prepared to participate as soon as they enter the classroom.

Pre briefing
In the 2020 ACLS Provider Course, Instructors conduct a briefing with students immediately before the start of each simulation. The goals of the briefing are to establish a positive learning environment and to provide information about the session to students. In addition, teams will set goals for the case and discuss the goals they set in the briefing during the debriefing. This will prepare students for success in the course.

CPR Coach
The CPR Coach is a new role within the resuscitation team. The CPR Coach role is designed to promote the delivery of high-quality CPR and allow the Team Leader to focus on other elements of cardiac arrest care, coordinate the various team members’ assigned tasks and ensure that clinical care is
delivered according to AHA guidelines.

Skills Testing
High-Quality BLS Skills Testing
• Focuses on continuous chest compressions
Megacode Testing
• Assesses students as a team
• Set goals related to chest compression fraction and teamwork
Provider Manual Updates
• Highlights 2 main themes: preventing arrest and high-performance teams
• New information under “Cardiac Arrest: Selected Special Situations”
o Maternal cardiac arrest
o Ventricular assist devices
• Revised illustrations
• CPR Coach
• Expanded information on high-performance teams

What is the format for the ACLS Provider ILT Course?
In the new ACLS Provider ILT Course, precourse work is completed before the course so that students are prepared for the course at a Training Center (TC) or another facility. Precourse work includes the mandatory Precourse Self-Assessment, followed by video lessons. The course is structured as follows:
• Core concepts are presented online through interactive video lessons. Video lessons are completed before coming to class. Then Instructors lead discussions and case-based scenarios around a manikin during class.
• The Instructor coaches students by using a feedback device as they practice CPR and ventilation skills.
• The Instructor monitors as each student/team demonstrates skills proficiency as outlined in the skills testing checklist.
• Students take the ACLS Provider Course Exam exam to confirm their understanding of core concepts.
The TC may choose for students to complete online video lessons (precourse work) before coming to class or may choose to conduct a traditional ACLS course, where all video lessons are conducted in class as interactive discussions with students. The course is designed to give students the opportunity to practice and demonstrate proficiency in the following skills used in resuscitation:
• Systematic approach (assessment)
• High-quality BLS
• Airway management
• Rhythm recognition