I frequently get the question: “Are the 2019 ACLS Guidelines different from the 2020 ACLS Guidelines?”
So here is the answer to the question. They are the same. Most references on this website state that the site is up to date with the 2015-2020 ACLS Guidelines.
The 2015 ACLS guidelines are the most recent published guidelines. Therefore the 2020 ACLS guidelines are actually the 2015 ACLS guidelines.
Every 5 years the American Heart Association has a meeting, and they hammer out new CPR, BLS, ACLS and PALS guidelines. These guidelines are built upon data collected from the previous 5 years.
You can review the new 2015-2020 ACLS guidelines here.
Before these ACLS guidelines are released, the American Heart Association publishes an Executive Summary which is featured in the journal, Circulation.
This Executive Summary provides an overview of the most important changes implemented with the update. It also provides a brief snippet of how the changes apply to BLS, ACLS, and PALS.
2020 ACLS Guidelines=2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 ACLS Guidelines
So now you understand that until early to mid-2021, ACLS providers will be responsible to learn and master the 2015 ACLS protocols.
Cathy Thourson says
Thank you for this excellent site! I think there’s a typo or calculation error on the calculation explanation of a 70kg person receiving dopamine 10mg/kg/min (400mg in 250cc). The explanation says 21cc/hr but based on the calculator it is 26cc/hr.
Jeff with admin. says
In your statement 10mg/kg/min is incorrect. It is 10 micrograms per kg per min.
Kind regards, Jeff
Mary McMahon says
The focus on ACLS drugs leaves me wondering, ie, what size IV bag do I use for Dopamine Drip, what is
the Titrated drip per min for 2 to 10 mcq/kg/min. For Epinepherine 2-10 mcq per min. for a 75kg pt.
what size IV bag do I use and do I use 1to 1000 or 1to 10000. The above for a 15 drop per cc chamber.
Jeff with admin. says
Typically I have seen 500 ml bags used for dopamine and epinephrine drips. The titrated drip rate would need to be calculated on an individual basis.
Dopamine is usually prepared by mixing 800mg dopamine in 500ml of NS for a concentration of 1600 mcg/ml. This can also be done by mixing 400mg dopamine in 250ml of NS. At least this is how I have always seen it mixed.
A 70kg person receiving 2 mcg/kg/min would receive 140 mcg/min. The same 70 Kg person receiving 10mcg/kg/min would receive 700 mcg/min.
Now first, convert mcg/min to mg/hr 700mcg/min=42,000mcg/hr=42mg/hr
Now second, convert mg/hr to ml/hr. dose ordered/dose available x volume avaliable 42mg/200mg x 100= 21 ml/hr (The rate would be 21 ml/hour).
You can also use the calculator found here: Med. Calculator
The standard concentration for an epinephrine drip is 3mg in 250 ml NS or D5W or 3000 mcg/250 ml = 12 mcg/ml. So if you want your epinephrine infusion to run at 6 mcg/min then you would calculate it as follows. First, to simplify the drip calculation for any drug ordered as mcg/minute calculate the infusion rate for 1 mcg/minute of 3000 mcg/250 ml solution (12 mcg/ml) as shown here:
1 mcg x 60 min
———————— = 5 ml/hour (infusion rate)
12 mcg/ml (drug concentration)
Once you’ve calculated the infusion rate for 1 mcg/min which is 5 ml/hour, you can
easily determine the titration rates, as shown below:
2 mcg x 5 = 10 ml/hour (2 mcg/minute)
3 mcg x 5 = 15 ml/hour (3 mcg/minute)
4 mcg x 5 = 20 ml/hour (4 mcg/minute)
5 mcg x 5 = 25 ml/hour (5 mcg/minute)
I hope this answers all of your questions.
Kind regards,
Jeff
Elaine McKinney says
Took my test Tuesday the 12th. Passed—————————–Great instructor (YOU) and thankful student (ME). Thank you !!!!! See you in 2 years
neilnikki1 says
Jeff, I’ve got the logged in and logged out. I’ve been using for two days now my registration with your web site. I didn’t read the instruction on how to pay by card. Very seldom used charge cards. thanks a lot Jeff. More power to you. Respectfully, Nilo
Jeff with admin. says
Glad things are working for you now. Please let me know if you need any help at all. Kind Regards, Jeff
Kathleen Ternes, RN says
What are the main updates to the 2015-20 from the previous version 2010? I bought a book to study for ACLS but the copyright is 2011. I’d like to still use this book if possible, I would just need to know the things that are no longer true, especially if it involves the order in which meds are pushed.
Or is this book to be placed in the recycle bin and of no use? (I spent $46 on it and can’t really afford a new one.) Thank you so much, Kathleen (I’m a RN and new at it.)
Jeff with admin. says
The book is out of date and you will find that there are a number of changes. I would definitely ditch the book. Don’t buy a new one though. Site will provide you with everything you need to do great in the provider course.
On the site within the knowledge base there is a page that covers in detail all of the guideline change changes. The page where you left the comment is where you will find this. This page also links to several other pages where more details are provided.
There’s also a video in the video department that contains a summary review of all of the 2015 guidelines. You will find that the website will provide you with complete and up-to-date information regarding the American Heart Association ACLS guidelines.
Make sure that you watch the video on the homepage to make the most of your time on the site. The website is a standalone resource that can be used without the American Heart Association provider manual. If you have any questions, please feel free to email. You can also text or call the technical support line for any rapid questions that you have. Technical support: 316-243-7096
Kind regards,
Jeff
Evie says
Jeff, I emailed you about my husband arriving at an ER as a DOA. At this point, would chest compressions still register on the monitor or not? It must have been about 20 minutes until he got there without any intervention.
Thanks.
Jeff with admin. says
I’m not sure I understand what you mean by “would chest compressions still register on the monitor in”.
Also, there are so many details regarding an emergency issue that it is hard to give accurate information without knowing all the details of a given scenario. One would also need to review what all of the standard operating procedures of the emergency medical system of that area and the emergency room are.
Kind regards,
Jeff
Paulette Wittman RN says
I just happened on this page. I’m sorry about your husband. I hope by some awesome intervention he made it.
MIREMBE JUSTINE says
I am a ugandan registered nurse working in a busy clinic ,i would like to have a training of ABLS and ACLS there after to become a member .ho do i go about it.
thanks for your response.
Jeff with admin. says
This website is strictly for training purposes and is designed to help people prepare for the American Heart Association ACLS certification. I’m not sure if you have any place in your country where you can take the AHA ACLS provider course.
Kind regards,
Jeff