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National Statistics on Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the most deadly diseases in America. Medical professionals are charged with caring for heart attack patients and are often required to have ACLS certification. ACLS certification equips healthcare providers with the protocol and knowledge necessary to provide the best care for patients. The American Heart Association updates ACLS requirements on a regular basis and most recently updated the guidelines during the January 2011 changes.
Heart Disease Stats
1 in every 600 ER visit is related to cardiac arrest
Most adults with heart disease are over the age of 65
Over 600,000 people die of heart disease every year
About 1.2 million people have an attack every year, which includes 400,000 reoccurrences
Patients admitted to the ER have a higher discharge rate than those in the ICU
ER patients are less likely to be tagged “DNR” than in ICU
Heart attacks cause 25% of all deaths in the U.S.
Cardiac arrest is the number one cause of death in both men and women
More than half of the victims of death from a heart attack are men
Only 27% of people are aware of the symptoms and immediately seek emergency care
47% of people suffer an attack outside of a hospital
Chest pain is reported in 92% of victims
ACLS Certification and Heart Disease
As a provider of emergency care to patients, it is crucial that you are up to date on the latest information. ACLS certification is a win-win situation. Our online course enables medical providers to offer the best care to patients, equips them with comprehensive knowledge, and can help create a stable career. There is a very good chance that if your employer does not require ACLS certification, they will soon and it is best to be prepared.
Four of the seven 2011 changes to ACLS guidelines directly impact cardiac patient care. There has been a move from “ABC” to “CAB,” chest compression guidelines have been changed, emergency care prioritization has been updated, and an entirely new section has been added on post-cardiac arrest care. These materials are available online from the American Heart Association and can be reviewed at your convenience.
You are not required to recertify as soon as changes are made, however it is smart to brush up on the latest guidelines. It will also help you prepare to pass the recertification course when your ACLS certification is up for renewal.
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