No 2015 ACLS Guideline Changes For ACS Treatment.......Yet......

The AHA/ILCOR 2015 ACLS guidelines will be coming out by the end of this year(2015). So far, it appears most of the changes will be directed at the BLS level, with even more focus on high quality compressions, more efficient introduction of defibrillation through public access defibrillation programs, and more in-depth information on Return Of Spontaneous Circulation. Changes for AHA ACLS certification classes will probably be minimal.

The Meds for Acute Coronary Syndrome

It looks like ACLS meds for ACS treatment will not change:

• Oxygen
• Aspirin
• Nitroglycerin
• Morphine
• Fibrinolytic therapy
• Heparin
• Beta-Blockers

Acute Coronary Syndrome

What is acute coronary syndrome? 
Acute coronary syndrome is acute pain that results from a sudden decrease in the blood supply to the heart. The pain is so acute that it feels like the onset of a heart attack. In most cases, the patient feels as if the chest is being squeezed. In others the pain travels to the shoulders and arms and even the abdomen at times.


Causes of acute coronary syndrome
The cause of an acute coronary syndrome is not sudden. In fact, there is a slow and steady build up that can be detected in regular medical checkups. Plaque, made up of fatty deposits and calcium, accumulate in the coronary arteries over time. As the deposits increase the arteries narrow and the amount of blood that reaches the heart reduces. As the blockages increase there is a possibility of angina that results from reduced and inadequate blood that reaches the heart. When a piece of the plaque disengages or breaks off, clotting might create a complete blockage causing acute coronary syndrome.

Symptoms of acute coronary syndrome
Symptoms of acute coronary syndrome are similar to those of angina. However, they are generally more acute and severe in nature. A burning sensation in the chest and a tightening feeling that may occur immediately after exercise or consumption of a large meal are common symptoms. The pain may sometimes also occur in other parts of the body like the upper arm, shoulders or jaws. It is also not uncommon to experience nausea, vomiting, dyspnea or breathlessness, diaphoresis or excessive sweating and a feeling of lightheadedness.

Management of acute coronary syndromes 
Confirmation of acute coronary syndrome can be done by an ECG or Electrocardigram. This test records the electrical impulses of the heart with the use of electrodes. This is displayed on a monitor in the form of waves. Some blood tests can also detect a damaged heart due to the heart enzymes that leak into the blood stream. Other tests that are also done for further confirmation are Echocardiogram, chest x-ray, nuclear scan, Computerized tomography (CT) angiogram and Coronary angiogram (cardiac catheterization).

Immediate treatment includes blood thinners like aspirin and heparin to remove the blood clotting that is suspected. ACE inhibitors are used to reduce blood pressure and beta blockers are used to relax heart muscles. Surgical procedures become necessary when medicines are ineffective. Angioplasty is the most common surgical procedure that is recommended. It involves insertion of a wire with a deflated balloon into the tube. As the balloon is inflated, it squeezes the plaque against the arterial walls.

Acute coronary syndrome guidelines 

Prevention and management of acute coronary syndrome include various lifestyle management guidelines. Some of these are:

• Quitting smoking 
• Consuming a heart healthy diet that is low on saturated fat, red meat and salt and high on high fiber food like wheat, fruits, vegetables, fish and lean meat. Consider asking your primary care physician for a referral to a Registered Dietitian for this. 
• Regular cholesterol and blood pressure check-ups to ensure levels are under control
• Maintenance of health weight with regular exercise
• Taking significant steps to reduce stress levels
• Limiting consumption of alcohol

How To Become A Nutritionist | Nutritional Therapy

**Another post by Jason Goodwin**


Everything you put in your mouth has a benefit or a consequence. When we eat nutrient-dense, properly prepared whole foods our bodies thrive. When we eat processed, chemically concocted foods, our bodies suffer. Our bodies get confused by all of the weird, unnatural, hard to pronounce “ingredients” we eat on a daily basis. Your body does its best to adapt, but eventually it will protest by giving you all sorts of problems and symptoms.

Make the connection between food and health.

A NUTRITIONAL THERAPIST evaluates your health profile to find what macro and micro nutrient deficiencies may be contributing to your health issues. The uniqueness or “bioindividuality” of each person means that there is no one-size-fits-all nutritional plan. A Nutritional Therapist will work with you to create a personal protocol to fit your particular needs and goals. Getting the appropriate nutrients transported effectively throughout your body means better health and overall wellness. To consider if Nutritional Therapy is a good fit for you, or if you're researching how to become a nutritionist, ACEND has tons of information on accredited nutritionist programs across the Country, as well as more in-depth nutritional therapy information.

Surgical Tech Programs In California

What Does a Surgical Technologist Do?

There are many important roles in the medical field that don’t get as much public attention as, say, surgeons or other major roles. One of these is the surgical technologist, who provides a valuable service in the health care industry but might not be familiar to many prospective students. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics states simply that surgical technologists assist during surgical operations under the direct supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other personnel. Their role is largely a preparatory one, helping to organize the operating room and get the scene ready for the operating surgeon.

Before an operation begins, surgical techs set up the instruments the surgeon will need, assemble the sterile and non-sterile tools, and check to make sure everything is functioning correctly. A surgical technologist will also often work with the patient by cleaning and disinfecting their incision areas. The tech will transport the patient to the operating room, monitor their vital signs, and assist the surgical staff in donning gowns and gloves. Basically, a surgical technologist is a medically trained assistant who helps get things done in the operating room, allowing the surgical team to work together smoothly and perform operations with greater ease. But a surgical technologist isn’t just a pair of hands. The role requires training and education, as underscored by the Association of Surgical Technologists in their job description of surgical techs. They stress that surgical techs have learned and maintain expertise in both the theory & application of aseptic and sterile techniques, and therefore possess the skills needed to competently combine advanced knowledge of human anatomy, proper implementation of technologies and tools, and a solid understanding of surgical procedures to facilitate a surgeon's performance of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Surgical technologists often operate sterilizers or other light machines during the surgery, as well as pass instruments to the surgeon. Some surgical technologists with additional training and certification can also serve as surgical assistants, which involves controlling blood flow and other tasks under the surgeon’s supervision to help the surgery be executed safely. Enrolling in one of the surgical tech programs in Bakersfield Ca is a great way to become a vital part of the operating room process and the larger health care industry.

Training To Become A Surgical Tech In California

The decision to become a surgical technologist is a big one but one that will most likely lead to a rewarding career as a vital member of a hospital staff or assisting physicians in private practice. Pursuing a career as a surgical tech is easier than you’d think, especially if you do your research.

First things first: Find a good school. No matter what you’re studying, it’s imperative that you graduate from an accredited college or university. Accredited schools are those that have passed muster with regional or national accrediting agencies and have been judged as worthy institutions. They provide a quality education that’s respected by employers, and more importantly, only graduates from accredited universities are eligible to take certification exams in the surgical technologist field. Be VERY wary of surgical tech schools online. Properly accredited schools rarely accept prerequisite courses such as anatomy, physiology, and other science courses that are taken online.

The U.S. Department of Education maintains a searchable database of higher education institutions that have been accredited by legitimate agencies, and a pair of other organizations — the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools — provide searchable lists of accredited programs that will allow you to sit for the exam to become a certified surgical technologist.

With a degree from one of the surgical tech programs in California, you will be ready to study for and take the certification exam. Becoming a certified surgical technologist will greatly improve your earning potential and job opportunities, though you’ll need to retake certification exams every few years in order to maintain your CST status. You can also choose to advance to the role of surgical first assistant, which requires more training and study. There are a variety of career resources available for surgical technologists, too. The Association of Surgical Technologists, a professional organization for the field, devotes a section of its website to job opportunities for qualified surgical techs.

It’s also a good idea to stay in touch with local hospitals and the surgeons you worked with during your schooling and internship period. Often, the best way to learn about available jobs is to know someone who needs a qualified tech and will think of you. Becoming a surgical technologist is an easier goal to achieve than you might think. With the right preparation before choosing a school, and taking the certification exam after graduation, you’ll be able to enter the medical field and become an integral part of a surgical team.

Acute Coronary Syndrome | Bakersfield ACLS Training

Acute Coronary Syndrome or ACS is a catch all term used to describe a set of symptoms consistent with acute myocardial ischemia when the symptoms are not pathognomonic. Myocardial ischemia is a condition in which insufficient blood flow is reaching the heart muscle. This is usually a result of atherosclerotic plaques building up in the coronary arteries. Symptoms The symptoms of ACS are typically tightness in the chest that radiates into the left arm, anxiety or a sense of impending doom, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms that might occur are nausea, vomiting, sweating and palpitations. In female patients, the elderly, and those with diabetes there is a higher occurrence of atypical presentation. This can translate to other, non-specific, symptoms such as feeling weak or lightheaded to a complete absence of symptoms, all of which are explored during Bakersfield ACLS Training.

There are three distinct subtypes of ACS:

• Unstable Angina
• non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
• ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of ACS usually involves an Electrocardiogram. Elevation in the ST segment indicates that damage has occurred to the muscle and that intervention is required immediately. In the absence of ST segment elevation, it is more difficult to distinguish between unstable angina and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. Blood tests can be administered to look for increases in cardiac enzymes. The most accurate indicators for myocardial infarction are increased Troponin I and Troponin T. A second, common predictor is an increased Creatine Kinase level. Another diagnostic tool that can be employed is the ACI-TIPI. The ACI-TIPI is a rough algorithm that uses demographic information and EKG information to provide an estimate of the likelihood of myocardial infarction.

Treatment

In the event of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, there are several treatment options. Aspirin is often administered on-site by paramedics to reduce clot size. Beta blockers are often administered to reduce the work load on the heart. Anticoagulants, such as heparin, may be administered to prevent further clots. ACE inhibitors are often administered to prevent some of the heart enlargement. Clearing the blockage as soon as possible is key to patient survival in the case of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. In most cases an angioplasty and stent placement is performed within an hour or two when possible. Doctors can also use intravenous Thrombolytics to break up clots. For non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, the treatments tend to be the same, though without the same time constraints. If an angioplasty is not a viable option due to recent surgery, a bleeding disorder, or multiple blocked arteries, coronary artery bypass surgery can be used to restore blood flow.