Pediatric Advanced Life Support Update

1
Pediatric Advanced Life Support Update

• Robert S. Cole
• Paramedic, CCEMTP

2
PALS Update

• The new course content for PALS was officially
  released in August 2000.
• However , the AHA has been plagued with late
  releases in materials, training videos, and
  rollout courses.
• In fact the latest projected releases are for
  September , 2001.

3
PALS Update

• This will be a general overview of the changes
  upcoming in the PALS curriculum
• Even thought these changes are official, this
  class will be based on the old curriculum due to
  the new training materials are not yet available
• Overall the changes are for the better, with more
  cooperation between the faculty of different
  courses and disciplines.

4
PALS Overview of changes

• General concepts

5
General Overview

• New international cooperation means more
  Universal strategies
• K.I.S.S. principle was (allegedly ) followed in
  class structure
• New Scenarios targeted toward different fields of
  practice.
• Mandatory Completion of Pre test prior to
  attendance.
• Less lecture, more skills/scenario stations
• Increased use of video instruction.

6
General Overview

• AED Now approved for Peds greater that 8 years
  of age or 25 KG weight.
• More emphasis/Training on BVM use in kids for BLS
  providers. E-C Clamp Technique
• Discussion of LMA in peds.
• Use of ETCO2 in all intubated patients
• Inclusion of Mag to replace Bretylium

7
General Overview

• Includes new algorithms on post resuscitation,
  shock/fluid resuscitation, and trauma
• Includes a Universal Algorithm similar to ACLS.
• Matches evenly to ACLS and NRP.

8
Specific Class changes

• New lectures and stations

9
New Lectures

• Video panel discussion of three cases Asystole,
  VF, and Tachycardia w/ poor perfusion.
• Video of Ped in respiratory Failure
• Special ethical considerations in cardiac arrest

10
Optional Pilot modules(Minimum of two/course)

• Special Needs Children
• Trauma and spinal immobilization
• RSI in children
• Newborn care and resuscitation
• Toxicology
• Sedation/Pain control

11
Skill modules

• AED module mandatory
• Several separate Respiratory Failure/Respiratory
  Arrest stations
• BVM station w/ advanced airway
• Vascular access remains

12
Scenario/Teaching stations

• Shock (including a trauma case)
• Respiratory failure/arrest (including a trauma
  case)
• EKG arrhythmias (mainly VF, Tachycardia)
• Standard code station
• Unknown/random station (includes a child abuse
  scenario)

13
What it doesn't have

• Specific neonatal lecture mandatory
• Specific medication lecture
• Detailed discussion of the PEA/Asystole code
  outside of the initial video.

14
Refresher courses

• 3 options
• Deferent templates for different providers needs
  (inexperienced vs experienced)
• 6 to 12 hours in length.

15
Questions???