My e-ALS experience
This is my experience sharing.
Please refer to the official website for more information.
I did my e-ALS on 1st July 2022.
Main pages
https://www.resus.org.uk/training-courses/adult-life-support/e-als-advanced-life-support
How to book?
As far as I knew there are 2 methods:
1. Go to resus.org.uk website
Scroll to the lower bottom to search the place and get the contact details.
https://www.resus.org.uk/training-courses/adult-life-support/e-als-advanced-life-support
Tips: Try to email several organizers after you found your desirable time and place.
The price could be varied (factors to consider: travel distance/cost, and location).
2. Book within your trust
Tips: You need to plan ahead and book as soon as possible. The slot is usually fully booked quite easily.
Tips: Could be a lot cheaper to do in your trust ( if no rush and your trust provide ALS, I will suggest you do it under your trust. Some trust provides their staff to do ALS at a cheaper rate and usually, you can also claim under your study budget [varies between trusts].
Keep in mind, not every trust provides a study budget to their doctor.
What does my schedule look like on that day?
Tips: Make sure you have a good rest a day before, it can be a very long day if you take e-ALS.
ALS regulation
https://www.resus.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-07/ALS%20Regulations%20APR%2021%20V1.4.pdf
ALS e-learning course
We will be given an account to access the module around 4-6 weeks ahead. (website: https://lms.resus.org.uk/login/index.php)The module can be assessed further 120 days from the course end date.
The book is 228 pages and has 17 chapters !!!! (8edition, May 2021)
The MCQ must be answered before the course.
Chapter in Webpages
1. ALS algorithm (60mins)
2. Making decision about CPR (30mins)
3. Non-technical skills in resuscitation (18mins)
Core modules
4. The ABCDE assessment (25mins)
5. Rhythm recognition (50mins)
6. Post-resuscitation care (25mins)
7. Cardiac cause of cardiac arrest (40mins)
8. Assessing and treating tachycardia (20mins)
9. Assessing and treating bradycardia (25mins)
10. Resuscitation in special circumstances (45mins)
11. Arterial blood gas analysis (45mins)
Preassessment course MCQ (60mins)
******The book is 228 pages and 17 chapters. (8edition, May 2021)
1. Advanced life support in perspectives
2. Non-technical skills in resuscitations
3. Recognising deterioration and preventing cardio respiratory arrest
4. Cardiac causes of cardiac arrest
5. In hospital resuscitation
6. Advanced life support algorithm
7. Airway management and ventilation
8. Rhythm recognition
9. Defibrillation
10. Cardiac pacing
11. Peri-arrest arrhythmias
12. Resuscitation in special circumstances
13. Post- resuscitation care
14. Pre-hospital cardiac arrest
15. Blood gas analysis and pulse oximetry
16. Making decisions about CPR
17. Supporting relatives and teams in resuscitation practice
Appendices
A Drug used during the treatment of cardiac arrest
B Drug used in peri-arrest period
Few key points, from my experience sharing.
- You really need a good time to study for the 1. online module, 2. manual course book and do the 3. compulsory MCQ (pre-course).
- If you are lacking time, you should cover the manual (main chapter - especially chapters 4,6,8/ chapter 9,10/ chapter 11,12).
- You are expecting to finish the course book before you join the e-ALS. It is crucial to pass the theory exam by completing the course book. There are very tricky questions. I heard people are failing it. The pattern of the theory exam is similar to the pre-test MCQ at the end of your online module. For my MCQ exam, we need to pass at least 75%, there could be 160Q. Will be the true and false question. You need to know the ECG and rhythm interpretation.
- I don't spend much time in practice during my preparation phase. In fact, this could be risky. I strongly recommend practicing the flow and watching the video a few times. Link: https://vimeo.com/144761733,
- During the one-day eALS course, there will be hands-on practice sessions (stimulation). You should already know the algorithm well. Take the opportunity and volunteer yourself to perform in the session. So that you can practice as the team leader as much as you can before the practical test at the end of the session.
- In the practical test
1. Identity is it a cardiac arrest or noncardiac arrest scenario. Be very clear about it.
2. Need to have a very precise and structural approach.
3. Strick with ABCDE. Don't jump the sequences.
4. If cardiac arrest scenario, do not be late for 'call for help' and perform chest compression.
5. You should "stop the CPR' before analyzing the 'rhythm in cardiac monitor'. Do not make the mistake of analyzing rhythm when ongoing CPR while the examiner shouting 2minutes up.
6. Do not forget to put on a cardiac monitor and pretend there is one. You need to do it.
7. Be clear in your instruction. Be loud and calm. Use people's names to show teamwork.
8. If cardiac arrest scenario, go with your 4H and 4T. Don't panic.
9. It can be lots of pressure when you are a team leader. It is normal and everyone feels so.
10. In the practical sessions, take the role of people at a different position (Airway/ breathing, Chest compression, Defibrillation, Drug/ Assistance, apart from as a team leader). It will be beneficial for you in a real-life situation, not just this ALS exam. You never knew that you make those mistake until you are in hand on. The theory is theory. Stimulation can help to bring those theories into the tactile memory better.
11. Give yourself enough time to prepare it.
Don't rush. I did my e-ALS after my night shift (night shift, off, e-ALS) due to my limitation in arranging my work schedule. I will not recommend such a tight schedule. Basically, I went quite exhausted and had a mental block in my practice test after an intensive revised practical session with the team + theory test (which could have already taken 9 hours itself before the practice test!!!!).
Some have recommended this website for solving MCQ, maybe have a look at the MCQs and then you will have a better idea of what to study. But the general idea is to study all the chapters.
https://advancedlifesupportmcq.com/
Additional resource
Dr. Sid's blog: https://sidukjourney.blogspot.com/p/als-course.html
Hope you found this useful.
Thank you, Bright and May for helping me to prepare for ALS.
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