When should the initial request for Advanced Life Support (ALS) be made?

When should the initial request for Advanced Life Support (ALS) be made?

• A. Never; ALS is not requested
• B. After patient arrival at hospital
• C. After 15 minutes
• D. Immediately after recognizing severity of symptoms

Answer: (D)

Activating ALS should happen as soon as you recognize that the patient’s symptoms are severe. Early request allows the arriving advanced providers to bring in necessary capabilities—like advanced airway management, IV/IO access, medications, rhythm interpretation, and defibrillation—while you continue essential BLS care. Delaying activation until hospital arrival or waiting a fixed time wastes precious minutes and can worsen outcomes, because the patient may need interventions that only ALS can provide.

Activating ALS should happen as soon as you recognize that the patient’s symptoms are severe. Early request allows the arriving advanced providers to bring in necessary capabilities—like advanced airway management, IV/IO access, medications, rhythm interpretation, and defibrillation—while you continue essential BLS care. Delaying activation until hospital arrival or waiting a fixed time wastes precious minutes and can worsen outcomes, because the patient may need interventions that only ALS can provide.