On Oct. 18, 2010, the American Heart Association (AHA) will publish new guidelines for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care (2010 Guidelines). In talking with other professionals around the state--EMS service chiefs, EMS coordinators, instructors and providers--I realized there is considerable confusion about how and when the new 2010 Guidelines will be implemented in New Hampshire EMS agencies and emergency departments.

Who is affected?
 

All healthcare providers delivering emergency medical care--nurses, EMTs, paramedics and physicians--will be affected by these changes.

What areas of care are affected?

• CPR, AED, BLS, ACLS and all other aspects of cardiac arrest management
• ACS Acute Coronary Syndromes, including:
  • AMI Acute Myocardial Infarction
• Bradycardia, Tachycardia and other Dysrhythmias
• Pediatric-specific Treatments, including PALS and neonatal resuscitation
• Stroke
• Anaphylaxis, Hypothermia and others

How will I learn about the changes?

Eager to know about the new Guidelines?  The AHA will publish a Guidelines Summary that will be made available on the Internet. See the links below (here is the 2005 Guidelines Summary).

Refresher Classes  Most healthcare providers will learn about the changes when they take their next CPR, ACLS or PALS class.

AHA Instructors  You will be participating in online updates in Nov / Dec that will explain how to integrate the new Guidelines into upcoming classes. New AHA textbooks will be published in 2011. It’s important to register with the online AHA Instructor Network to be able to access the updates.

How and when will these new changes go into effect?

EMS and Fire Organizations  In New Hampshire, EMTs and first responders will start using the new Guidelines when the Bureau of EMS issues the new EMS Protocols in Spring 2011 (note: the EMS Medical Control Board may issue interim guidance on using the new Guidelines). You will want to make arrangements to have your EMTs and Paramedics receive updated training in the new Guidelines by qualified AHA instructors.

Emergency Departments   Each hospital will decide how to roll out the new Guidelines internally. To avoid inconsistent care, some organizations may accelerate AHA refresher classes for all of their emergency department (or hospital) staff.

Where can I obtain more information?

• Guidelines Information
• Guidelines Home