PALS and PEARS Courses

Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS)

Pediatric Advanced Life Supprt (PALS) Provider Course

The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Course is designed for healthcare providers who initiate and direct advanced life support beyond basic life support through the stabilization or transport of a pediatric emergency, either in or out of hospital.  In this course you will enhance your skills in the evaluation and management of an infant or child with respiratory compromise, circulatory compromise, or cardiac arrest.

Objective

• Understand and be able to perform the systematic   approach to pediatric assessment of a seriously ill or injured child, including the general, primary, secondary, and tertiary assessments.
• Use the assess-categorize-decide-act approach to decision making.
• Recognize and manage a child in respiratory distress or failure and/or compensated or hypotensive shock.
• Describe key elements of effective resuscitation team behaviors and explain why the foundation of successful resuscitation includes both mastery of basic skills and effective team dynamics.
• Prevent further deterioration of the child’s condition during the stabilization and transfer phases of care.

Attendance of the entire program as well as scoring at least 84% on the written examination and successfully passing a simulated patient scenario as a Team Leader is required for course completion and certification.

Cost: $180 per participant; $155 per participant for Mercy affiliates

PALS Provider Renewal Course

PALS Provider Renewal Course must be completed within 24 months of previous PALS Provider Course.  This eight-hour renewal course provides review of course material and re-verification of skills and knowledge.

Attendance of the entire program as well as scoring at least 84% on the written examination and successfully passing a simulated patient scenario as a Team Leader is required for course completion and certification.

Cost: $100 per participant; $85 per participant for Mercy  affiliates

Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS)

Description: The AHA developed the PEARS Provider Course for healthcare providers who might encounter pediatric patients in their profession but who do not routinely provide care for children with high-acuity illness or injury. This course is NOT intended for those who require credentialing in advanced pediatric skills or who are routinely involved in resuscitation. Those students should take a PALS Course.

PEARS providers may include:

• Medical and Surgical nurses
• EMT-Basics and Intermediates
• Healthcare Providers who care for children outside the critical care areas

Objectives

• Assess a seriously ill or injured child using the general and primary assessments
• Describe the “assess-categorize-decide-act” approach to recognition and management of the child in respiratory distress or failure, shock, or cardiac arrest
• Demonstrate appropriate actions to take for stabilizing a critically ill or injured child during the initial minutes of response until the next level of care arrives
• Recognize and take appropriate actions for a child in cardiac arrest
• Use elements of effective communication as a team member

Attendance of the entire program is required for course completion.

Cost: $75 per participant

Materials for Courses

PALS materials are not included in the course fee but can be purchased from University Bookstore near the Drake campus in Des Moines, IA.

Groups

We offer PALS and PEARS courses to suit nearly every need. Groups and organizations with 10 or more people can arrange a private class. The PALS Coordinator can help with group scheduling and pricing (515) 643-7485.

The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS, and has developed instructional materials for this purpose.  Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association, and any fees charged for such a course do not represent income to the
Association.