In-Person Event

PEARS: Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization Course

Purpose & Intended AudiencePEARS is for healthcare providers and others who might encounter pediatric emergency situations during their work. Duri

Purpose & Intended Audience

PEARS is for healthcare providers and others who might encounter pediatric emergency situations during their work.

 

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.

 

Pre-Course Requirements

You should prepare for the course as follows:

  1. CPR competency: Be prepared to pass the child 1-rescuer CPR/AED and infant 1-rescuer and 2-rescuer CPR skills test. You will not be taught how to do CPR or how to use an AED during the course. You must know this before you take the PEARS course. The resuscitation scenarios require that your BLS skills and knowledge are current. One way to prepare is to take the BLS for Healthcare Providers Course. Another way to prepare is to review and understand the 2020 BLS guidelines, especially as they relate to the pediatric patient. You may find this information in the BLS for Healthcare Providers manual or other AHA guidelines publications (see www.americanheart.org/cpr).
  2. PEARS algorithms and flowcharts: Be familiar with the PEARS algorithms and flowcharts so that you can apply them to clinical scenarios. These are located in the PEARS Provider Manual.
  3. Supplement your knowledge: Review and understand the information in the PEARS Provider Manual. Pay particular attention to the systematic approach to pediatric assessment, the “assess-categorize-decide-act” model, and the management of respiratory and circulatory problems.

It is essential that you bring your PEARS Provider Manual to class; you will need it during each lesson in the course.

 

Cost:

$100 - Registration fee includes continuing education credits and American Heart Association card. Lunch is not provided. PEARS textbook is not included in the cost of the course.

 

**A 2015 AHA PEARS Provider Manual is required for the course. You may purchase this paperback book from any supplier you wish. Below are a few options.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this program, the participant should be able to:

  1.  Assess a seriously ill or injured infant or child using general and primary assessments.
  2. Use the evaluate-identify-intervene approach to recognition and management of a child in respiratory distress or failure, shock, or cardiac arrest.
  3. Discuss management of the child’s clinical condition including mastery of skills and team dynamic. 

Faculty

Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization Instructors

 

Continuing Education Credit

  • Nurses: Continuing education credit hours approved for 7.0 Nursing Contact Hours by Iowa Board of Nursing Provider #31, UnityPoint Health - Des Moines.

The American Heart Association will issue a card verifying the successful completion of the PEARS course. The expiration of the verification will occur two years from the date of issue.

 

Time and Location

  • Class meets from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Blank Children's Hospital, Center for Advocacy and Outreach

Anna Blank Conference Room 2, Lower Level of the Anna Blank Building

1200 Pleasant Street 

Des Moines, IA 50309

 

Cancellation Policy

Blank Children's Hospital reserves the right to cancel the program due to insufficient enrollment or inclement weather. In this event, you will be notified and your entire registration fee refunded.

 

Refund Policy

A processing fee of $30 will be retained for cancellations less than 7 days prior to the course.

No refund will be available for cancellation less than 2 business days prior to the course.

 

What to Wear

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing to class. You will be practicing skills that require you to work on your hands and knees, and the course requires bending, standing, and lifting. If you have any physical conditions that might prevent you from engaging in these activities, please tell an instructor. Temperature can be difficult to control due to different comfort levels, a sweater may add to your comfort.

 

More Information

Please contact Terry Neal at terry.neal@unitypoint.org or 515-241-4351.

Event Location