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AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support PALS

AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support PALS

The American Heart Association’s Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) course is a specialized training program intended for healthcare providers who care for critically ill or injured infants and children. It builds on basic life support skills and adds more advanced knowledge, decision-making, and team dynamics applicable to pediatric emergency situations. Wikipedia+3international.heart.org+3cpr.heart.org+3

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what the PALS class involves, who it’s for, and what it teaches:

Purpose & Audience

  • PALS is designed for healthcare providers who respond to emergencies in infants and children. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care settings (physicians, nurses, paramedics, etc.). international.heart.org+1

  • It’s intended to improve outcomes in pediatric patients by training providers to recognize early signs of deterioration (respiratory distress/failure, shock, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest) and intervene appropriately. international.heart.org+1

Core Content & Skills Taught

The PALS curriculum covers a range of topics and skills, using simulated pediatric emergencies and case scenarios to reinforce learning. international.heart.org+2cpr.heart.org+2

Some of the key areas include:

Domain Topics / Skills
Pediatric assessment & recognition Distinguish which patients need immediate intervention vs monitoring; identify signs of respiratory distress vs failure; recognize shock states (compensated vs decompensated) cpr.heart.org+1
High-quality CPR / BLS (pediatric) Integrating pediatric BLS (infant/child CPR, ventilation, use of AED) as the foundation for advanced interventions international.heart.org+1
Airway & ventilation management Advanced airway techniques, ventilatory support, oxygenation, and recognizing airway compromise in children international.heart.org+1
Shock management Early recognition and treatment of shock (hypovolemic, distributive, obstructive, cardiogenic), fluid therapy, vasoactive medications cpr.heart.org+1
Arrhythmias & cardiac arrest in children Recognition and management of arrhythmias in pediatric patients (bradycardia, tachycardia, pulseless rhythms), applying appropriate algorithms, electrical therapies, medications international.heart.org+2cpr.heart.org+2
Post–cardiac arrest care Interventions after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), monitoring, stabilization, preventing recurrence international.heart.org+1
Team dynamics & communication Emphasis on how care teams operate—roles, leadership, clear communication, coordination during resuscitation and emergencies cpr.heart.org+2international.heart.org+2

Course Format, Assessment & Certification

  • PALS can be offered in instructor-led, classroom formats or blended learning (HeartCode® PALS) formats. In blended learning, participants complete an online component followed by a hands-on skills session. cpr.heart.org+2cpr.heart.org+2

  • The clinical/practical portion includes scenario-based training, hands-on skills stations, simulated emergencies, and testing of key interventions. international.heart.org+2cpr.heart.org+2

  • Participants must pass a written (cognitive) exam (often multiple choice) and skills evaluation to demonstrate competence. cpr.heart.org+2international.heart.org+2

  • On successful completion, participants receive a PALS Provider Course Completion Card valid for 2 years. international.heart.org+1

  • After expiration, recertification or renewal (update) is required to maintain competence and certification.

First In Last Out Medical Response at 3322 Coors Blvd NW Suite 4 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120. cpr.heart.org+2cpr.heart.org+2

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