Online ACLS, BLS, and PALS Certification for Iowa Medical Professionals

Iowa needs more certified ACLS providers!

For the 2012 rating of the overall health of states’ residents, Iowa ranked as the 20^th healthiest state in the country. The state also made it into the top 10 states in two health categories. Iowa has the eighth lowest rate of diabetes in America at 5.2 percent.

In addition, Iowa placed as the tenth lowest state in regards to incidence of stroke (2 percent). The state also ranks relatively low in the incidence of heart disease (3.8 percent), the incidence of heart attack (3.9 percent) and the rate of low birth weight among newborn babies (7 percent).

At a rate of 29 percent, there are currently nearly 680,000 obese adults in Iowa. Over 600,000 adults in the state have a sedentary lifestyle. The rate of infectious disease increased in Iowa last year from 11.3 to 17 cases per 100,000 people. And the rate of uninsured people in Iowa also increased during the last 10 years from 7.9 to 11.1 percent. Yet the frequency of preventable hospitalizations dropped during the past decade from 70.8 to 60.4 discharges per 1,000 residents enrolled in Medicare.

Factors that helped Iowa achieve an overall ranking above the national average include a low rate of children living in poverty, high frequency high school graduation, and a small number of mental and physical health days taken every month. Despite all this, Iowa ranks as the 46^th state in the category of available primary care physicians at a rate of 84 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents.

Through Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Iowa residents have the opportunity to become certified in children emergency care. Knowledge acquired through PALS testing, which is available on this website, equips future providers with a solid foundation for pediatric emergency care. PALS develops Iowa residents’ capabilities to present life-saving pediatric care.

Utilizing the recent guideline updates, providers learn how to effectively consider a child’s condition before taking action. PALS training highlights the belief that excellent team communication and cooperation are essential while resuscitating a child.

A firm grasp of Basic Life Support (BLS) practices is needed before a student can successfully complete a PALS test. The BLS test, which is available on this website, is the first step to developing additional emergency care skills for both adults and children.

Providers should also be aware of guideline updates and possibly revisit the BLS course in order to stay on top of current practices. BLS instructors teach one and two person team resuscitations in the “Chain of Survival” section. Cardiac arrests are responsible for the highest number of deaths worldwide, so these offered courses could very well save lives in Iowa.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) incorporates BLS into cardiac and neurological emergencies. PALS, BLS and ACLS certified providers assist individuals in potentially fatal situations.

For more information regarding ACLS, BLS, or PALS testing, explore ACLS Medical Training today!

Incidence of heart disease:  3.8%

Incidence of myocardial infarction (heart attack):  3.9%

Incidence of stroke:  2.4%

Incidence of obesity:  29.0%

Incidence of diabetes:  5.2%

Incidence of high cholesterol:  39.1%

Incidence of high blood pressure:  29.9%

Incidence of smoking:  20.4%

Incidence of low birth weight:  7.0%