Advanced Life Support (ALS): Opioid Module

Please refer to elearning.heart.org for specific course technical requirements.

Advanced Life Support: Opioid; Enduring Web Course

Original Release Date: 10/19/2025

Last Review Date: September 2025

Termination Date: 10/18/2028

Description
This module is designed to help clinical team members provide immediate treatment and care for victims of opioid overdose. The module educates learners in the pathophysiology of opioid overdose, special considerations on how to care for overdose patients, including naloxone administration, recognizing the need for high-quality CPR, and the use of a defibrillator as indicated. The module offers information on the importance and types of resources available for individuals after an opioid overdose including medication-assisted therapies. This module is aimed at healthcare providers and covers adults only.

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion, participants should be able to:

1. Describe the current opioid epidemic in the United States
2. Explain the pathophysiology of chronic opioid use
3. Describe the pathophysiology of opioid overdose
4. Describe the efficacy of naloxone for opioid overdose
5. Review care considerations for comprehensive treatment after an opioid overdose

Accreditation Terms
Joint Accreditation: 10/19/2025 – 10/18/2028

CAPCE: 10/19/2025 – 10/18/2028

AARC: N/A

Accreditation Statements

Joint Accreditation Statements
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by The American Heart Association. The American Heart Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

AMA Credit Designation Statement - Physicians
The American Heart Association designates this activity for a maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AAPA Credit Acceptance Statement – Physician Associates
AAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician associates may receive a maximum of 0.25 hours of Category I credit for completing this program.

AANP Credit Acceptance Statement – Nurse Practitioners
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Continuing Education Accreditation – Emergency Medical Services
This continuing education activity is approved by the American Heart Association, an organization accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE), for 0.25 Advanced CEHs, activity number 25-AMHA-F3-0019.

By claiming CAPCE credit, the claimant acknowledges the following: I understand that the American Heart Association as a requirement of CAPCE accreditation will submit a record of my course completions to the CAPCE AMS. I further understand that my course completion records may be accessed by or shared with such regulators as state EMS offices, training officers, and NREMT on a password-protected, need-to-know basis. In addition, I understand that I may review my record of CAPCE-accredited course completions by contacting CAPCE.

Participation and Successful Completion
Successful completion of this CE activity includes the following:

1. Complete all portions of the online course
2. Complete the course evaluation
3. Print the Certificate/Statement of Credit

Disclosure Statement
All persons in a position to control educational content of a CE activity provided by the American Heart Association must disclose to the audience all financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. The presence or absence of all financial relationships will be disclosed to the audience in activity materials. All unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices discussed will also be disclosed to the audience. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

The following authors/faculty have declared NO financial interest(s) and/or affiliations:

Sallie Johnson, PharmD, BCPS
Cameron Dezfulian, MD
Kenneth Navarro, MEd, LP
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD
Elizabeth Sinz, MD, Ed
Erik Soderberg, MS
Amber Rodriguez, PhD

This list represents the relationships that may be perceived as actual or reasonable conflicts of interest as reported on the Disclosure Questionnaire, which all AHA volunteers are required to complete and submit. The focus is on relevant financial relationships with commercial interests in the 24-month period preceding the time that the individual is being asked to assume a role controlling content:

Eric J. Lavonas, MD, MS - BTG Specialty Pharmaceuticals (Research Funding)

Target Audiences
1. Physicians
2. Physician Associates
3. Nurse Practitioners
4. EMS: Paramedics

ADA Statement
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association strive to make our websites accessible. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association are committed to diversity, inclusion, and meeting the needs of all our constituents, including those with disabilities. We are continually improving our digital assets to comply with the accessibility guidelines for levels A and AA in accordance with WCAG 2.1.

If the format of any material on our web pages interferes with your ability to access the information, please contact us to request assistance, or if you have questions or comments about our web sites’ accessibility.

This self-directed module is designed for advanced healthcare providers who are seeking additional content beyond ACLS and Continuing Education (CE) credit.

The intended audiences for ALS: Opioid are Paramedics, ED Physicians, NPs/APNs, ED Nurses, Advanced EMTs, Hospitalists, and PAs.