ACLS certification: Arizona Healthcare Professionals Prepared to Treat Heat-Related Illnesses

As a healthcare professional, your location may present unique challenges that may exceed the standard training, including ACLS certification. Arizona (AZ) healthcare professionals deal with a higher occurrence of victims suffering from heat-related illnesses due to the state’s hot, dry climate. It is vital for Arizona healthcare providers to be knowledgeable of the risks related to excessive heat exposure so they can provide the best possible care for their patients.

Heat-related deaths in AZ

According to a report from the Arizona Department of Health Services, exposure to excessive heat was the cause of approximately 110 deaths in Arizona. Additionally, the data on heat-related deaths in Arizona showed that from 1992 to 2009, 95 percent of all deaths from exposure to heat occurred between the months of May and September, when the weather is at its hottest.

There has been a slight, gradual decline in the number of deaths from excessive heat exposure since 2005, according to data from the 2009 report. While the cause for the decline is not entirely clear, it is likely, in part, due to the improvement of heat response plans, as well as reinforced heat advisories and warnings with recommendations to minimize heat exposure for Arizona residents.

Treating heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Exposure to excessive heat can lead to multiple heat-related illnesses that may require treatment from a professional with ACLS certification. Arizona healthcare professionals are likely to deal with numerous victims of heat exhaustion, or in more serious cases, heat stroke.

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is not able to properly cool itself through sweating. It typically occurs to individuals who are engaging in heavy exercise, or are in a warm, humid place. Symptoms generally include:

Cool, moist, pale skin
Headache
Dizziness, weakness or exhaustion
Nausea

Heat stroke is life threatening, and occurs when an individual’s temperature control system stops working entirely. Symptoms generally include:

Vomiting
Confusion
Headache
Decreased alertness level or complete loss of consciousness
High body temperature
Rapid, weak pulse
Rapid, shallow breathing
Seizures

About Health Ed Solutions and ACLS certification - Arizona

Health Ed Solutions is the leading online provider of courses for ACLS certification and ACLS recertification (Arizona and other states within the United States require healthcare professionals to maintain this certification). These courses are aimed toward healthcare professionals. Learn more about Health Ed Solutions’ ACLS classes for ACLS certification and ACLS recertification.