5 Group Rate ACLS Options

While survival rates and the prevalence of bystander CPR have risen for out-of-hospital rates, the likelihood of positive outcomes, regardless of where arrest occurs, remains dismal. According to NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov, more than 200,000 people endure an in-hospital arrest annually, and survival rates range from 2-35%. The difference derives from varying circumstances, including pre-existing conditions, quality of care facilities, and the skills of health professionals. The chances of poor outcomes also coincide with limited training of staff.

Even fully Registered Nurses (RNs) are not required to complete an Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) program for employment, but participation in such courses, such as those available here, can have a drastic impact on survival to discharge. Fortunately, group rate ACLS options may also be available to improve chances of positive outcomes.

There is a problem. The costs of completing such a program may simply be out of reach, and astonishingly, the rate of survival increases 400% when an ACLS-trained nurse administers life-saving care. Since group rate ACLS options can bring more skills to staff, more ACLS training can save lives, but it still comes at a financial cost. Of course, understanding how ACLS benefits health professionals and patients is critical to decreasing the chances of poor outcomes and encouraging survival. So, the only solution lies in understanding how to lower costs and obtain the training needed to increase survival of in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Basic Life Support (BLS) training gives you some education and guidelines to preserve life, and to whatever extent possible, quality of life whether you’re a nurse, EMT, or an elementary school teacher who just wants to be prepared for the “what-if”. You’ll know what to do in common COVID-related emergencies and be able to offer first aid, CPR, and defibrillation.

Given the recentness of COVID, however, it has taken some time to get COVID algorithms updated across organizations.

What Are Group Rate ACLS Options

Group rate ACLS options describe the ways in which a person may complete ACLS training without paying the full cost of a traditional course. Depending on course availability, demand, and instruction method, course costs can soar into the $100s. But, participation and enrollment as a group may lessen these costs and enable a larger percentage of health professionals to complete the course. Ultimately, group rate ACLS options

Where Are Group Rates Available

Group rates are available to virtually any organization or group with individuals in need of ACLS training. Now, group rates for ACLS are generally reserved for nurses or other high-level care professionals. With that in mind, all organizations operating in the health care space or with licensed health providers may participate in Group rate programs.

The Benefits of Group Rates Extend Beyond Lower Course Rates

The benefits of group rate ACLS are significant. While participating in individual courses may work for some, group rate courses help participants learn and prepare for using skills in a real-world emergency or code. As a result, some key benefits include:

1. Opportunities to connect with peers. Connecting with peers outside the work environment is an excellent way to build rapport and work together to improve patient outcomes.
2. Increased participation. By working together, participation in courses increases. Since participants hold one another accountable, course completion rates further increase. Also, more participation means students are more likely to remember the ACLS protocol and how high-quality care leads to better outcomes.
3. Learning to work as a team. Teamwork is mission-critical to health professionals. Even the most advanced nurses cannot perform all duties during a cardiovascular event. So, learning to rely on each other is essential to both responsiveness and professional career growth, not to mention a patient’s survival.
4. Peers to help you study. Peers also provide a study resource or group, helping to commit skills to memory and become a better health professional. Other participants may also be able to share real-world experiences of past codes, excluding any PHI, and working to identify successes and failures in such experiences together.
5. Faster training to apply skills in real life, using the latest ACLS guidelines to promote survival. According to UpToDate, survival hinges on excellent quality of care. Anything below excellent leads to a higher risk of mortality. By participating in group rate ACLS options, students gain the latest skills as a lower cost than enrolling in a course independently and paying full price.

Which Course Is Right for Your Group

There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to finding the best group rate ACLS options for your organization. Most course providers may offer group discounts, but again, it is essential to look for courses that meet your full needs and promote “excellent” standards of care. As a result, follow these steps to find the best courses to learn how to complete ACLS properly and without error:

1. Consider courses that are fully accredited. Accreditation is a big issue in the online world. Some providers may fail to present credentials or make unguaranteed promises. Always thoroughly review any provider for red flags or other accreditation issues, reports Nurse.Org.
2. Look for recent updates to course materials. Recently updated course materials also ensure your team receives the latest and most appropriate training possible. Remember that the updates released in 2015 occurred when updates were a five-year issue. Now, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation releases “focused updates” each year. For example, according to the ILCOR, the focused update for 2019 surrounded pediatrics, but 2020 is on track to bring new information to light about the quality of chest compressions in ACLS as well.
3. Think about your available time. In-person courses are great, but they may cause problems with hectic schedules, especially among evening and night-shift staff.
4. Review available instructional materials. Before signing up for group rate ACLS options and courses, review the course materials. Accredited providers will always want you to know what to expect and how the course will improve your skills.
5. Test your knowledge with additional resources, such as pretests and simulations. Additional resources, such as the pretests available here, that accompany courses can go a long way in promoting engagement and boosting student confidence in their skills. Also, simulations, like Megacodes, available here, provide an opportunity to both review and put skills to the pressure test with timed responses.

Key Ways to Obtain Group Rate ACLS Courses

The path to finding and obtaining group rate ACLS options and courses is not identical. Instead, consider these five ways to obtain group rate ACLS faster.

1. Consider Employers That Offer ACLS Group Rate Training

This is the most obvious way to obtain group rate ACLS training. Working for a company that pays for ACLS training eliminates any hassle.

2. Encourage Your Organization to Obtain Group Rates for ACLS Training

Even if working for a provider that does not currently offer paid training, advocate for working with course providers to secure training. Chances are good that the “buying power” of a larger organization will lead to discounted group rate ACLS options. The best way to promote adoption of group rate ACLS options is to emphasize how obtaining ACLS will impact lives and promote healthier, better treatment outcomes for those that suffer cardiac arrest in the facility.

3. Ask Student Peers to Join You for ACLS Participation

Groups of any size may be eligible for group rate ACLS, but again, it depends on applications and communications. Asking student peers or coworkers to take a course with you may actually lead to group rate discounts as well. This option is a great way for nursing students to explore potential career paths and learn more about available continuing education opportunities while still in training.

4. Apply for Additional Employment With an Agency

While individual employers may not offer paid training, agencies might. Agencies have a large volume of variety in care settings, says Gifted Healthcare, so they may be more likely to pay for advanced training, including ACLS.

5. Take Advantage of Professional Affiliations

Lastly, professional affiliations, such as the American Nurses Association or National League for Nursing, may sponsor group rate ACLS options across a variety of course providers reports Onward Healthcare. Consider joining professional affiliations to secure lower-rate ACLS or at least finding more affordable, flexible course options that work for you.

Learn More About How to Participate in Group Rate ACLS Now

Group rate ACLS is about much more than just course discounts. It goes back to bounce ideas off one another and engaging with coursework. By learning how to obtain ACLS training faster and more affordably, you can push your career into new care specialties and improve the quality of care. Also, know how to find the right courses and secure group rate ACLS options by following the above-listed tips.

Do you have another way to lower ACLS course costs or take advantage of group rates? If so, share your thoughts and this article to social media now. To enroll today or review whether you can already take advantage of group rate ACLS options, check the courses listed online, available here. Remember, group rate ACLS helps us all learn more about how to save lives without pinching our wallets.