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What is Pediatric Advanced Life Support?

What is Pediatric Advanced Life Support?

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Pediatric Advanced Life Support is an advanced training program offered by the American Heart Association to healthcare providers who care for infants and children in life-threatening cardiac situations. PALS focuses on the recognition and treatment of life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, and shock in pediatric patients.

The PALS training includes basic life support (BLS), pediatric assessment, airway management, pharmacology, and effective team dynamics in pediatric emergencies. After completing PALS training, healthcare providers are offered PALS certification by AHA. PALS certification is often required for healthcare providers working in pediatric units, emergency departments, and intensive care units. So, PALS certification is essential for healthcare providers to ensure they are proficient in managing critical cardiac situations involving infants and children in these critical medical settings.

Importance of PALS Certification

PALS certification is highly important for healthcare providers, as it trains them with the knowledge and skills required to effectively respond to life-threatening cardiac emergencies involving infants and children. With PALS training, healthcare professionals gain expertise in pediatric resuscitation techniques, advanced airway management, and medication administration for pediatric patients. This certification not only enhances patient outcomes but also fosters confidence and competence in healthcare teams working in pediatric units, emergency departments, and intensive care units. The importance of PALS certification lies in ensuring the highest standard of care for critically ill or injured pediatric patients.

Who Should Acquire PALS Certification?

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification is crucial for healthcare professionals who care for critically ill or injured infants and children. Obtaining this certification ensures you can provide the highest standard of care in emergency situations. Here is the list of professions that need PALS certification for their role in managing pediatric emergencies:

  • Pediatricians
  • Emergency Room Physicians
  • Nurses
  • Paramedics
  • Anesthesiologists
  • Physician Assistants (PAs)
  • Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
  • Critical Care Physicians
  • Pharmacists
  • Pediatric Surgeons
  • Medical Residents and Fellows
  • Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

What does the PALS Course teach you?

The PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) course teaches many techniques to successfully intervene in cardiac emergencies in infants and children. Some of the crucial teaching of the PALS course include the following:

  • Recognition and Treatment of Pediatric Respiratory Emergencies: PALS training teaches you to identify and address breathing issues such as respiratory distress and failure in children.
  • Pediatric Advanced Airway Management: You will gain proficiency in advanced airway techniques, including endotracheal intubation and specialized airway tools.
  • Pediatric Basic Life Support (BLS) Techniques: PALS training will help you understand and apply effective BLS methods, including chest compressions and ventilation, to support pediatric patients.
  • Recognition and Management of Pediatric Shock: You will also learn to identify signs of shock and administer the appropriate fluids and medications to treat it.
  • Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Algorithms: You will master the protocols for handling pediatric cardiac arrests, including performing high-quality CPR, defibrillation, and administering necessary medications.
  • Teamwork and Communication Skills: One key teaching of PALS training is to develop critical teamwork and communication abilities in healthcare providers to manage pediatric resuscitation scenarios efficiently.
  • Pediatric Pharmacology: You will become familiar with the medications commonly used in pediatric emergencies, including their dosages and administration routes.

How long does PALS Certification Last?

Once you acquire your PALS Certification, it lasts about two years from the date of acquisition. Healthcare workers are encouraged to recertify their expired PALS certificate before the expiration date to ensure their knowledge and skills are up-to-date and in accordance with the latest guidelines and protocols. Previously, the AHA offered a 30-day grace period for recertifications. However, AHA no longer offers a grace period for PALS renewal. Hence, healthcare professionals are encouraged to acquire it before expiry and have a current PALS certification.

What does it mean to be PALS Certified?

If a healthcare provider is PALS certified, then it means they have successfully completed the Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course(PALS) and passed the examination. PALS Certified indicates that the healthcare provider can successfully manage cardiovascular emergencies like choking, stroke, and other respiratory emergencies in pediatric patients like infants and children. PALS certification demonstrates proficiency in pediatric basic life support (BLS), advanced airway management, pediatric cardiac arrest algorithms, pediatric pharmacology, and effective teamwork in resuscitation scenarios. Healthcare providers who are PALS certified are trained to provide advanced care to critically ill or injured pediatric patients in emergency situations, ensuring the highest standard of care and improving patient outcomes.

Steps of performing PALS

PALS involves several key steps to effectively manage life-threatening cardiac emergencies in pediatric patients. Here are the general steps to perform PALS:

Step 1: First, ensure the scene’s safety before approaching the patient. Assess the child’s level of consciousness and breathing.

Step 2: If the child is unresponsive or in pain, activate the emergency response system and call for help.

Step 3: Begin with basic life support measures if needed, including assessing airway, breathing, and circulation. Initiate CPR if necessary.

Step 4: Assess the need for advanced airway management and perform it if indicated.

Step 5: Attach a cardiac monitor to assess the child’s heart rhythm and identify any life-threatening arrhythmias.

Step 6: Administer medications as indicated per the PALS algorithms.

Step 7: If the child is in a shockable rhythm (e.g., ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia), deliver a shock using a defibrillator.

Step 8: Continuously assess the child’s response to interventions and adjust treatment accordingly. Reevaluate the patient’s condition frequently.

Step 9: Once stabilized, prepare the child for transport to a higher level of care.

Step 10: Provide appropriate post-resuscitation care, including monitoring, stabilization, and further treatment as needed.

How to get PALS certification?

PALS certification guarantees the qualification of healthcare providers in managing pediatric emergencies. If you are a healthcare provider in pediatric care, acquiring PALS certification not only helps to save the lives of pediatric patients but also increases your chances of career opportunities. Hence, join PALS classes and become certified. To get PALS certification, you must first be a healthcare provider and have a current BLS certification. Then, you can enroll in a PALS certification class to get one. To take your pediatric patient care to the next level, you can join Sacramento CPR Classes for a comprehensive PALS training course in Sacramento. Our PALS course in Sacramento is taught by experts with hands-on experience managing pediatric emergencies. We provide practical, scenario-based training to prepare you for real-life situations. Join us and get your PALS certification in Sacramento, which is valid for two years.

FAQs

Who should have PALS?

Healthcare providers working in pediatric care should have a PALS Certification. Pediatric care workers in in-hospital, pre-hospital, and out-of-hospital medical facilities.

Is pediatric advanced life support the same as CPR?

No, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) goes beyond CPR. PALS focuses on managing life-threatening cardiac emergencies in infants and children, while CPR is a fundamental life-saving technique for individuals in cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.

What is the first priority in pediatric resuscitation?

The first priority in pediatric resuscitation is to check if the scene is safe or not and assess the child’s level of consciousness and breathing.