Background:
The current Advanced-Life-Support, ALS-provider course of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) offers a certified qualification for physicians, nurses and emergency medical services providing resuscitation for in-hospital- (IHCA) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients.
During last few years, novel diagnostic and therapeutic options have become available for. These are Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS), mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (mCPR), and extracorporeal CPR (eCPR) devices e.g. However, these techniques are not part of practical training scenarios within current ERC ALS provider courses. Goal: To develop an ALS Experienced Provider (ALS-EP) course format which incorporates these techniques and addresses ALS-conformed integration into the resuscitation process.
Methods:
Based on current guideline recommendations on PoCUS, mCPR and eCPR during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, literature was screened for new publications, and excerpts formed a draft for ALS-EP.
Results:
According to Consensus on Science and Treatment Recommendations, above mentioned tools are part of current universal ALS-algorithm. Results of the literature review led to a specific skill-oriented, scenario-based course format with a focus on procedural aspects and Crew Resource Management. Topics addressed therein are e.g. targeted CPR, resuscitation ultrasound modalities, eCPR background and procedural requirements. Skills stations comprise e.g.: handling of mCPR devices, resuscitation ultrasound: cardiac views. In simulated scenarios, time critical use of mCPR and resuscitation ultrasound while minimizing interruptions, as well as team coordination for eCPR are trained.
Conclusion:
The design of a new ALS-EP Provider course contains a format directed at experts in prehospital as well as in-hospital resuscitation services with a contact to eCPR. The 1.5 day-program addresses PoCUS, mCPR and eCPR especially in the context of an ongoing CPR process. A course manual will be available.

4 - What is ALS-compliant PoCUS, mCPR, eCPR? Introducing ALS-EP: A novel training concept for experienced Advanced Life Support providers.