Pediatric Advanced Life Support

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is a critical medical protocol designed to provide immediate, comprehensive care for critically ill children and infants. It is a systematic approach to pediatric assessment by healthcare providers, often used in emergency situations.

Overview

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is a series of protocols and procedures that are designed to manage critically ill pediatric patients, particularly those in cardiopulmonary arrest. The goal of PALS is to improve the quality of care provided to seriously ill or injured children, resulting in improved outcomes.

History

PALS was first developed in the 1980s by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to address the need for a systematic approach to pediatric emergencies. It has since been adopted worldwide and is regularly updated to reflect the latest in pediatric emergency medicine research.

PALS Course

The PALS course is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage critically ill children. The course includes both cognitive and skills evaluations in the areas of resuscitation, airway management, and arrhythmia recognition.

PALS Algorithms

PALS algorithms are a set of clinical protocols that provide a step-by-step guide for the management of a variety of pediatric emergencies. These include the Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Algorithm, the Pediatric Bradycardia Algorithm, and the Pediatric Tachycardia Algorithm.

Certification

Upon successful completion of a PALS course, healthcare professionals receive a PALS Provider Card. This certification is valid for two years, after which a refresher course is required.

See Also

• Basic Life Support
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program