Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

The completely redesigned American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support course gives healthcare professionals the knowledge and skills to better recognize and treat critically ill infants and children. The course is designed for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the resuscitation of an infant or child, whether in or out of the hospital.

The goal of the PALS course is to aid the pediatric healthcare provider in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to efficiently and effectively manage critically ill infants and children, resulting in improved outcomes. Skills taught include recognition and treatment of infants and children at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest; the systematic approach to pediatric assessment; effective respiratory management; defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion; intraosseous access and fluid bolus administration; and effective resuscitation team dynamics.

The course uses a scenario-based, team approach to teach pediatric emergency management of pediatric patients approaching or already in respiratory or cardiac arrest.  The course covers treatment beyond the first few emergency minutes and goes through stabilizing patients or transport phases of a pediatric emergency, in or out of the hospital.

During this online course, the student reviews video-based lessons, simulation, and participate in 12 core cases. Once the student completes the online component, they must come to campus and complete skills practice and skills testing with an instructor.