Online ACLS, BLS, and PALS Certification for Illinois Medical Professionals
Illinois needs more certified ACLS providers!
In the 2012 ranking of the overall health of states’ residents, Illinois was the 30th healthiest state in America. Although the state did not break into the top 25, Illinois did rank among the top 10 in two health categories.
A rate of 3.4 percent bumped Illinois into sixth place in regards to lowest incidence of heart disease. The state ranked seventh in the country in regards to occurrence of heart attack (3.5 percent) among its population. The availability of primary care doctors in Illinois also scored better than the national average with a rate of 130.4 doctors per 100,000 residents. The state’s more than 12.8 million residents have access to 141 general short-term hospitals that maintain 31,210-staffed beds.
However, several factors contributed to the state’s lower overall health ranking. Although air pollution over the past five years decreased from 14.5 to 11.7 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter, the state still has high levels of air pollution compared to the rest of the country. The frequency of infectious disease cases rose in the past year from 11.1 to 13.7 cases, and Illinois also has a high prevalence of binge drinking.
In Illinois, close to 2.5 million adults have a sedentary lifestyle, and nearly 2.7 million adults are considered obese. The rate of children under 18 years old living in poverty rose in the past 10 years from 14.9 to 19.6 percent. But infant mortality dropped during the past 10 years from 8.5 to 7 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Through Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), the citizens of Illinois have an opportunity to become certified to administer children emergency care. Skills acquired through PALS tests, which are available on this website, arm providers with a strong understanding of pediatric emergency care. PALS enhances individuals’ preparedness to give life-saving care to children in harrowing settings like car accidents.
PALS educates students on how to effectively and quickly appraise the condition of a child before acting. PALS coursework highlights that good team dynamics is especially crucial during a child’s resuscitation.
Prior to taking a PALS test, potential providers must have first obtained a solid understanding of Basic Life Support (BLS). The BLS test, which is available on this website, is the first stepping-stone for developing additional emergency care skills.
BLS guiding principles are updated as strides are made in cardiac care. Providers should be aware of changes and possibly take a BLS refresher class for latest methods. One and two person team resuscitations are taught in the BLS “Chain of Survival.” The greatest number of fatalities worldwide occurs from cardiac arrests, so trainings offered could very well save lives in Illinois.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) incorporates BLS methods into cardiac and neurological emergencies. PALS, BLS and ACLS trainings are essential to survival in life-threatening circumstances.
For more information regarding ACLS, BLS, or PALS testing, explore ACLS Medical Training today!
Incidence of heart disease: 3.4%
Incidence of myocardial infarction (heart attack): 3.5%
Incidence of stroke: 3.1%
Incidence of obesity: 27.1%
Incidence of diabetes: 9.7%
Incidence of high cholesterol: 38.0%
Incidence of high blood pressure: 31.0%
Incidence of smoking: 20.9%
Incidence of low birth weight: 8.3%
| Population of Illinois | 12,830,632 |
| Number of short-term general hospitals in Illinois | 141 |
| Number of staffed beds in Illinois | 31,210 |
| Number of primary care physicians in Illinois | 130.4 per 100,000 |
