The Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS) Course by the AHA has been modernized to be in line with the 2015 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC. Within this classroom environment, guided by an instructor, participants will learn a methodical way to swiftly assess, pinpoint the cause, and stabilize a pediatric patient during an emergency.
PEARS involves hands-on engagement with authentic patient scenarios, and true-to-life simulations and animations. The focus is on assessing and stabilizing children facing respiratory and shock emergencies, as well as cardiopulmonary arrest. The training readies participants to perform crucial lifesaving actions in the critical first minutes of a response, until the child can be handed over to advanced life support.
Who is this course suitable for? The PEARS Course by the AHA targets healthcare professionals and others who might face pediatric emergencies, such as:
- Non-pediatric specialized physicians and nurses
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- EMTs
- Respiratory therapists
- Prehospital and non-critical-care in-facility healthcare providers
- Staff of outpatient clinics
- School-based healthcare providers
- Any other healthcare personnel who seldom deal with critically ill or injured infants and children
What skills are imparted by this course?
- Methodical pediatric evaluation
- Identification and stabilization of respiratory crises
- Recognition and stabilization of shock situations
- Recognition and stabilization of cardiopulmonary failure
- Teamwork in resuscitation
Course Completion Recognition: Upon successful completion of the PEARS Course, attendees will be issued a PEARS Provider course completion card (either print or eCard), which will remain valid for 2 years. To successfully complete the course, the following must be met:
- Active engagement in case discussions
- Active involvement in the rescue breathing skills section and cardiac arrest case simulations
- Successful passing of the skills tests in 1- and 2-rescuer child BLS with AED, and 1- and 2-rescuer infant BLS
- Attaining at least 84% in the video-based written examination