Emergency Neurological Life Support (ENLS) is a new online course that I am taking. It is sponsored by the NeuroCritical Care Society, which focuses on the first few hours of care to neurological emergencies. It is a collaborative effort between emergency physicians and neurointensivists, both of which author each individual module. The course is co-chaired by Scott Weingart, MD of EMCrit fame and is geared towards anyone who treats neurological emergencies (physicians, nurses, PA/NP, EMS personnel). The course utilizes technology to deliver its content by podcast, video presentation of ENLS guidelines, online reading of published guidelines and an online quiz. Completion of all modules awards the participant a certificate of certification in ENLS as well as 15 hours of CME.

 The 13 ENLS modules include:

  • Acute Ischemic Stroke
  • Acute Non-Traumatic Weakness
  • Airway, Ventilation and Sedation
  • Approach to the Comatose Patient
  • Intracerebral Hemorrhage
  • Intracranial Hypertension and Herniation
  • Meningitis and Encephalitis
  • Resuscitation Following Cardiac Arrest
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
  • Spinal Cord Compression
  • Status Epilepticus
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Traumatic Spine Injury

Some pearls that I’ve picked up:

  • Don’t forget that patients with acute ischemic stroke outside the t-PA window may be candidates for endovascular treatment (eg. intra-arterial thrombolysis or thrombectomy).
  • Consider tranexamic acid in subarachnoid hemorrhage.
  • Steroids should NOT be given for spinal cord injury except in the setting of experimental or research protocols.

The ENLS treatment protocols are available online for free! Check them out here

Click here to enroll in ENLS or for more information. The enrollment fee (which includes the CME credits) ranges from $75-300 depending on your country and level of training.

Disclaimer: I do not have any financial or any other affiliation with ENLS.

Fred Wu, MHS, PA-C

Fred Wu, MHS, PA-C

Lead PA
Department of Emergency Medicine
Kaweah Delta Medical Center (Visalia, CA)
Fred Wu, MHS, PA-C

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