The AHA’s PALS Course has been updated to reflect new science in the 2020 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC. The goal of the PALS Provider Course is to improve outcomes for pediatric patients by preparing healthcare providers to effectively recognize and intervene in patients with respiratory emergencies, shock, and cardiopulmonary arrest by using high-performance team dynamics and high-quality individual skills. This course uses precourse preparation, didactic instruction, and active participation in learning stations and simulated cases. What specifically is taught in the new PALS Course?

The AHA’s PALS Course has been updated to reflect new science in the 2020 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC. The goal of the PALS Provider Course is to improve outcomes for pediatric patients by preparing healthcare providers to effectively recognize and intervene in patients with respiratory emergencies, shock, and cardiopulmonary arrest by using high-performance team dynamics and high-quality individual skills. This course uses precourse preparation, didactic instruction, and active participation in learning stations and simulated cases.

What specifically is taught in the new PALS Course?

In the 2020 PALS Provider Course, students will learn and practice • Skills: o Performing child and infant CPR o Using oxygen delivery and airway management equipment o Establishing intraosseous (IO) access and a method for giving rapid fluid boluses o Using electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring o Providing defibrillation/cardioversion • Pediatric assessment: A systematic approach • Medical management: o 4 types of acute respiratory problems o 4 types of acute circulatory problems o 4 types of acute cardiac problems, including cardiac arrest • Leadership: Communication and other important elements of team dynamics as they relate to resuscitation

What are the key differences between the 2015 Guidelines and 2020 Guidelines versions of the PALS Provider Course?

The new PALS Course includes the following changes: Learning and Testing Stations The key change in the PALS Provider Course is achieving a minimal Chest Compression Fraction (CCF) of 81% for more objective practice and testing. This allows everyone to move from a perception of how they did to actual measures of how they performed (perception to reality). This requires scenarios to be run in real-time so that CCF can be measured coupled with a required feedback device for increased CPR quality. Teams will need to work together to figure out how to increase their CCF (i.e., choreography, logistics, etc.) for arrest-related cases. The desire is to transfer this newly acquired knowledge into real-world emergencies. This is the core of increasing survival rates. Perform-----Measure-----Evaluate/Debrief------Implement changes-----Perform better-----Measure⇒Continuous improvement cycle.

Online exams The AHA now offers online exams for Instructor-led Training (ILT) courses.  Online exams improve exam security and are just one way the AHA ensures that cardholders around the world have met the same course completion requirements for PALS classroom training.

Course Videos • Course videos are available in digital format online • New videos have been added to the PALS Course, including CPR Coach

Precourse Work Instructor-led courses now include precourse work. If an Instructor chooses this option (recommended), students review course content through online interactive videos before entering the classroom. Video lessons cover multiple medical subjects to prepare students for the course. Each lesson includes questions to engage students. This format allows more classroom time for hands-on skills training and leads to students being better prepared to participate as soon as they enter the classroom.

Pre briefing In the 2020 PALS Provider Course, Instructors conduct a briefing with students immediately before the start of each simulation. The pre-briefing goals are to establish a positive learning environment and provide information about the session to students. Also, teams will set goals for the case and discuss their briefing goals during the debriefing. This will prepare students for success in the course.

CPR Coach The CPR Coach is a new role within the resuscitation team. The CPR Coach role is designed to promote the delivery of high-quality CPR and allow the Team Leader to focus on other cardiac arrest care elements, coordinate the various team members’ assigned tasks, and ensure that clinical care is delivered according to AHA guidelines.

Infant CPR and Child CPR and AED Skills Testing • Includes enhanced prebriefing and debriefing • Assesses students as a group • Includes new CPR Coach role

Provider Manual Updates The manual includes new information on the use of a CPR Coach and high-performance teams.

What is the format for the PALS Provider Course?

In the new PALS Provider Course, precourse work is completed before the course so that students are prepared for the course at a Training Center. Precourse work includes the mandatory Precourse Self-Assessment, followed by video lessons. The course is structured as follows: • Core concepts are presented online through interactive video lessons. Video lessons are completed before coming to class. Then Instructors lead discussions and case-based scenarios around a manikin during class. • The Instructor coaches students by using a feedback device as they practice CPR and ventilation skills. • The Instructor monitors as each student/team demonstrates skills proficiency as outlined in the skills testing checklist. • Students take the PALS Provider Course Exam exam to confirm their understanding of core concepts. The students will complete the online video lessons (precourse work) before coming to class,  The course is designed to give students the opportunity to practice and demonstrate proficiency in the following skills used in resuscitation: • Identifying and treating problems that place the child at risk for cardiac arrest • Applying a systematic approach to pediatric assessment • Using the evaluate‐identify‐intervene sequence • Using the PALS algorithms and flowcharts • Demonstrating effective resuscitation team dynamics

2020 PALS Exam Are students allowed to access resources when taking the PALS Provider Course Exam? The AHA has adopted an open-resource policy for exams. Open resource means that students may use resources as a reference while completing the exam. Resources could include the provider manual, either in printed form or as an eBook on personal devices, any notes the student took during the provider course, the 2020 Handbook of ECC for Healthcare Providers, the AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC, etc.

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