Position Statement on the Advanced Cardiac Life Support Course

AAEM recognizes the value of the ACLS curriculum for non-EM boarded physicians and other health care providers who need to be familiar with the principles of acute cardiac care. However, AAEM believes that board certification in Emergency Medicine establishes expertise in acute cardiac life support beyond what which is taught in the ACLS course.

Therefore, ACLS should not be required of physicians board-certified in Emergency Medicine. And furthermore, ACLS certification does not meet the standards of board certification in Emergency Medicine and does not meet the standards of care in Emergency Medicine.

Approved: 2/19/98