Even
children and infants can be at the receiving end of cardiac emergencies. A
victim would require immediate treatment for survival and the only form of
appropriate treatment is proper application of the life-saving CPR techniques
that comprises chest compressions and rescue breaths.
If you
belong to the Columbus region in Ohio, you can sign up for a program at the AHA
certified CPR Columbus where certified instructors conduct the classes through
a series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. There are courses
for both healthcare and non-healthcare providers. Today, we are going to focus
on a PALS class Columbus.
PALS Training Classes- This American Heart Association
Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification course is designed for healthcare/emergency
professionals who work in emergency departments, pediatric intensive care
units, anesthesia units, pediatric surgery units, acute care units at
children’s hospitals, pediatric sedation dentistry, etc. Common vocations that
are required to get this certification include pediatricians, pediatric
dentists, paramedics, anesthesiologists, emergency department nurses and
physicians, PICU RNs, Operating Room RNs, Children’s Hospital faculty,
physician assistants, medical residents, and many more. The focus of this
course is teaching assessment skills and treatment of the acutely ill or
injured pediatric patient.
The program
fee is $297.
Significance of PALS Classes:
1. The goal of Pediatric Advanced Life
Support (PALS) is to save a life. For a child or infant experiencing serious
injury or illness, your action can be the difference between life and death.
PALS is a series of protocols to guide responses to life-threatening clinical
events. These responses are designed to be simple enough to be committed to
memory and recalled under moments of stress.
2. PALS guidelines have been developed
from thorough review of available protocols, patient case studies, and clinical
research; and they reflect the consensus opinion of experts in the field.
3. AHA updates the guidelines for CPR
and Emergency Cardiovascular Care every five years. Proper administration of
the PALS procedures requires rapid and accurate assessment of the child or
infant’s clinical condition and selection and delivery of the appropriate
intervention for the given situation which apart from applying to the
provider’s initial assessment of a child or an infant in distress, also applies to the reassessment
throughout the course of treatment utilizing PALS guidelines.
4. PALS algorithms are based on current understanding
of best practice to deliver positive results in life-threatening cases and are
intended to achieve the best possible outcome for the child or the infant
during an emergency.
If you come
across a child or an infant who is experiencing a life-threatening emergency,
support his or her breathing
and cardiovascular function immediately which usually means providing
high-quality CPR. While you maintain breathing and circulation for them,
determine if they are primarily experiencing respiratory distress/arrest,
bradycardia, tachycardia, shock, or cardiac arrest.
Post-resuscitation Care:
Post-resuscitation
care is of extreme importance if a patient has a Return of Spontaneous
Circulation (ROSC) which is
meant to optimize ventilation and circulation, preserve organ/tissue function,
and maintain recommended blood glucose levels. The initial PALS process helps to stabilize a patient
during a life-threatening event.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
1. Arterial blood gas (ABG) and correct
acid/base disturbances
2. Hemoglobin and hematocrit (transfuse
or support as needed)
3. Heart rate and rhythm (continuously
monitor)
4. Blood pressure (continuously monitor
with arterial line)
5. Central venous pressure (CVP)
6. Urine output
7. Chest X-ray
8. 12 lead ECG
9. Consider echocardiography
10. Maintain appropriate intravascular
volume
11. Treat hypotension (use vasopressors
if needed and titrate blood pressure)
12. Pulse oximetry (continuously monitor)
13. Maintain adequate oxygenation
(saturation between 94% and 99%)
14. Correct metabolic abnormalities
(chemistry panel)
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
1. Chest X-ray to verify ET tube
placement
2. Arterial blood gas (ABG) and correct
acid/base disturbance
3. Pulse oximetry (continuously monitor)
4. Heart rate and rhythm (continuously
monitor)
5. End-tidal CO2 (if the patient is
intubated)
6. Maintain adequate oxygenation
(saturation between 94% and 99%)
7. Maintain adequate ventilation to
achieve PCO2 between 35 to 45 mm Hg unless otherwise indicated.
8. Intubate if:
a. Oxygen and other interventions do not
achieve adequate oxygenation
b. Needed to maintain a patent airway in
the child with decreased level of consciousness
c. Ventilation is not possible through
non-invasive means, e.g., continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
9. Control pain with analgesics and
anxiety with sedatives (e.g. benzodiazepines)
To know more or to sign up for a program,
contact CPR Columbus.
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