PEARS(R) Course
Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, Stabilization
Course Overview
During PEARS, students interact with real patient cases, and realistic simulations and animations to assess and stabilize pediatric patients experiencing respiratory and shock emergencies, and cardiopulmonary arrest. PEARS prepares students to provide appropriate lifesaving interventions within the initial minutes of response until a child can be transferred to an advanced life support provider.
Per the AHA, "The PEARS Provider Course does not teach CPR, ECG rhythm identification, Pears pharmacology, or algorithms. If you do not review CPR and if you do not learn and understand the ECG and pharmacology information in the Pre-course Self-Assessment, it is unlikely that you can successfully complete the PEARS Provider Course. You will not be taught how to read or interpret ECG rhythm strips in the course, nor will you be taught details about PALS pharmacology. You must know this in advance."
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Understanding of life-threatening events in children.
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Responsibility of delivering medical care to infants and children.
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Current BCLS certification within the last 24 months is strongly recommended.
Required Pre-Requisites
Curriculum
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Systematic pediatric assessment
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Recognition and stabilization of respiratory emergencies
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Recognition and stabilization of shock emergencies
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Recognition and stabilization of cardiopulmonary arrest
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Resuscitation team concept
For Successful Completion
Prior preparation is required for completion of this course. The PEARS materials must also be obtained. These materials consist of the most recent PEARS Provider Manual and/or the ECC Handbook from the AHA. Supplemental material is available on this website. This helps the learner measure pre-course strengths and weaknesses, and gives the learner areas for pre-course review.
A score of at least 84% must be achieved on the final written examination.
Successful completion of this course is dependent upon the learner demonstrating satisfactory skills in the following areas:
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Active participation in the case discussions
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Active participation in the rescue breathing skills station and cardiac arrest case simulations
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Pass the skills tests in 1- and 2-rescuer child BLS with AED and 1- and 2-rescuer infant BLS
Course Objectives
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Identify the scientific basis for treatment recommendations based on the current science guidelines.
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Perform prompt, high-quality BLS, including prioritizing early chest compressions and integrating early AED use.
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Evaluate a seriously ill or injured child by utilizing the pediatric systematic approach.
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Recognize and perform early management of respiratory distress and failure in a pediatric patient.
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Demonstrate adjunct techniques to support and assist with respiratory stability of a pediatric patient in respiratory distress or failure
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Model effective communication and behavior as a member of a high-performance team.
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Discuss appropriate treatment for each type and severity of illness/injury category in a simulated session.
