PALS Plus®

Please refer to elearning.heart.org for specific course technical requirements.

PALS Plus™ Advanced Modules; Enduring Web Course

Original Release Date: 02/20/2023

Last Review Date: January 2023

Termination Date: 11/14/2025

Description:

The PALS Plus™ Advanced Modules are advanced educational content beyond the traditional PALS course, with different modules built to focus on specific specialty areas related to pediatric emergencies. The PALS Plus Advanced Modules are for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the management of respiratory and/or cardiovascular emergencies, cardiopulmonary arrest, and other emergent and critical conditions in pediatric patients.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion, participants should be able to: (See below)

Accreditation Terms

Joint Accreditation: 02/20/2023 - 11/14/2025

CAPCE: 02/20/2023 - 11/14/2025

AARC: N/A

Accreditation Statements

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by The American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The American Heart Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

AMA Credit Designation Statement - Physicians

The American Heart Association designates this activity for a maximum of 2.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AAPA Credit Acceptance Statement – Physician Assistants

AAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 2.50 hours of Category I credit for completing this program.

AANP Credit Acceptance Statement – Nurse Practitioners

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

ANCC Credit Designation Statement - Nurses

The maximum number of hours awarded for this CE activity is 3.25 contact hours.

Continuing Education Accreditation – Emergency Medical Services

This continuing education activity is approved by the American Heart Association, an organization accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE), for 3.50 Advanced CEHs, activity number 23-AMHA-F3-0013.

Participation and Successful Completion

Successful completion of this CE activity includes the following:

1. Complete all portions of the online course

2. Complete the course evaluation

3. Print the Certificate/Statement of Credit

Disclosure Statement

All persons in a position to control educational content of a CE activity provided by the American Heart Association must disclose to the audience all financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. The presence or absence of all financial relationships will be disclosed to the audience in activity materials. All unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices discussed will also be disclosed to the audience. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

The following authors/faculty have declared NO financial interest(s) and/or affiliations: (See below)

The list represents the relationships that may be perceived as actual or reasonable conflicts of interest as reported on the Disclosure Questionnaire, which all AHA volunteers are required to complete and submit. The focus is on relevant financial relationships with commercial interests in the 24-month period preceding the time that the individual is being asked to assume a role controlling content: (See below)

Target Audiences

1. Physicians

2. Physician Assistants

3. Nurse Practitioners

4. Nurses

5. EMS

ADA Statement

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association strive to make our websites accessible. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association are committed to diversity, inclusion, and meeting the needs of all our constituents, including those with disabilities. We are continually improving our digital assets to comply with the accessibility guidelines for levels A and AA in accordance with WCAG 2.1.

If the format of any material on our web pages interferes with your ability to access the information, please contact us to request assistance or if you have questions or comments about our web sites’ accessibility.

PALS Plus™ Advanced Modules Learning Objectives

PALS Plus: Advanced Airway Management

1. Describe necessary precautions during aerosol-generating procedures to avoid transmission of infectious particles to providers (eg, with COVID-19)

2. Compare the anatomic and physiologic differences between adult and pediatric airways

3. Recognize a general approach to pediatric airway emergencies, including the difficult airway

4. Describe clinical features, diagnosis, and management of upper and lower airway obstruction and diseases of the lung

5. Describe interventions for respiratory distress vs respiratory failure

6. Recognize the requirement for positive-pressure ventilation

7. Recognize the requirement for an advanced airway

PALS Plus: Child Abuse

1. Recognize signs and symptoms associated with physical abuse in infants and children

2. Describe the appropriate approach to the diagnostic evaluation for physical abuse in infants and children

3. Demonstrate systems-based components of caring for an infant or a child with physical abuse

4. Recognize patient presentations suggestive of human trafficking

PALS Plus: Congenital Heart Disease

1. Explain the concept of neonatal single-ventricle anatomy and physiology and the general types of strategies to manage these patients

2. Describe how the anatomy and physiology change from stage I to stage II and stage III, including how therapies differ

3. Describe the mechanisms that result in increased risk for decompensation and death in patients with single-ventricle physiology

4. List and explain the different types of monitoring that can be beneficial in the acute and chronic management of a patient with shunt-dependent single-ventricle physiology

5. Explain mechanical ventilation strategies and how they impact the physiology of a patient with single-ventricle anatomy and physiology, specifically with regard to stage of surgery and presence of heart failure

6. Describe the treatment strategies of the single-ventricle patient with near arrest or cardiac arrest

PALS Plus: Post–Cardiac Arrest Care

1. Recognize the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of pediatric post–cardiac arrest syndrome

2. Implement cardiac monitoring as part of post–cardiac arrest care

3. Implement respiratory support of the intubated child during post–cardiac arrest care

4. Implement neurologic support and monitoring during post–cardiac arrest care

5. Monitor for and manage other physiologic, organ, and secondary complications of post–cardiac arrest syndrome

6. Formulate outcomes and prognostication after cardiac arrest

7. Describe recovery after cardiac arrest

PALS Plus: Sedation and Analgesia

1. Describe basic concepts of sedation and analgesia

2. Identify common medication types used in procedural analgesia and sedation

3. Describe special considerations of procedural analgesia and sedation

4. Describe appropriate procedural sedation and analgesia for specific circumstances

PALS Plus: Technologically Dependent Child

1. Recognize the emergency management of a child who has an intrathecal baclofen pump

2. Recognize life-threatening emergencies that might be encountered in a child with tracheostomy tube

3. Recognize the emergency management of a child who has a vagal nerve stimulator

4. Outline the emergency management of a child who has ventriculoperitoneal shunt

PALS Plus: Toxicology

1. Recognize the importance of identifying ingestions, providing first aid, and contacting Poison Control

2. Identify methods used to minimize drug absorption

3. Describe the specific therapies, including antidotes, for common poisons

4. Summarize effects of drugs of abuse and misuse

5. Describe different routes of exposure (eye, cutaneous)

6. Summarize the effects and management of smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning

PALS Plus: Trauma—Overview and Approach

1. Describe unique anatomic and physiologic characteristics of the pediatric age group that affect response to injury and management

2. Define concepts of the primary and secondary surveys and systematically discuss evaluation of the trauma patient by using these tools

3. Discuss management priorities based in immediate life-threatening injuries identified in the primary assessment

4. Discuss the identification and initial treatment of life-threatening injuries to major organ systems

5. Describe the systematic approach to trauma

PALS Plus: Ultrasound

1. Describe the basic principles of ultrasound physics

2. Identify the basic controls common to most medical ultrasound equipment

3. Recognize images obtained for an e-FAST ultrasound study

4. Discuss some other applications of point-of-care ultrasound

PALS Plus™ Advanced Modules Disclosure Statement

The following authors/faculty have declared NO financial interest(s) and/or affiliations:

PALS Plus: Advanced Airway Management
Aaron J. Donoghue, MD, MSCE
Jeremy Dymond, RN
Melissa Marx
Amber Hoover, RN, MSN
Comilla Sasson, MD

PALS Plus: Child Abuse
Marc Auerbach, MD, MSc
Andrea Asnes, MD, MSW
Maya Dewan, MD, MPH
Jeremy Dymond, RN
Melissa Marx
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD
Amber Rodriguez, PhD

PALS Plus: Congenital Heart Disease
Sarah Tabbutt, MD, PhD
Mary E. McBride, MD, MEd
Maya Dewan, MD, MEd
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD

PALS Plus: Post–Cardiac Arrest Care
Sue Hong, MD
Allan de Caen, MD
Jeremy Dymond, RN
Melissa Marx
Alexis A. Topjian, MD
Melissa Mahgoub, PhD
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD

PALS Plus: Sedation and Analgesia
Kajal Khanna, MD, JD
Jeremy Dymond, RN
Melissa Marx
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD
Amber Hoover, RN, MSN

PALS Plus: Technologically Dependent Child
Reylon Meeks, RN, BSN, MS, MSN, EMT, PhD
Jeremy Dymond, RN
Melissa Marx
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD

PALS Plus: Toxicology
Maya Dewan, MD, MPH
Jeremy Dymond, RN
Melissa Marx
Amber Hoover, RN, MSN
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD

PALS Plus: Trauma—Overview and Approach
Jennifer Anders, MD
Chris S. Kennedy, MD
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD

PALS Plus: Ultrasound
Stephanie J. Doniger, MD
Loren Yamamoto, MD
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD

This list represents the relationships that may be perceived as actual or reasonable conflicts of interest as reported on the Disclosure Questionnaire:

PALS Plus: Advanced Airway Management
Susan Fuchs, MD - UpToDate (Royalties for on-line chapter)

PALS Plus: Child Abuse
N/A

PALS Plus: Congenital Heart Disease
N/A

PALS Plus: Post–Cardiac Arrest Care
Susan Fuchs, MD - UpToDate (Royalties for on-line chapter)
Mark Wainwright, MD, PhD - Sage Therapeutics (Member, Clinical Advisory Board)

PALS Plus: Sedation and Analgesia
Susan Fuchs, MD - UpToDate (Royalties for on-line chapter)

PALS Plus: Technologically Dependent Child
Susan Fuchs, MD - UpToDate (Royalties for on-line chapter)

PALS Plus: Toxicology
Susan Fuchs, MD - UpToDate (Royalties for on-line chapter)

PALS Plus: Trauma—Overview and Approach
Susan Fuchs, MD - UpToDate (Royalties for on-line chapter)

PALS Plus: Ultrasound
Susan Fuchs, MD - UpToDate (Royalties for on-line chapter)

 

HeartCode Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Online Course; Enduring Web course

Original Release Date: 10/21/2020

Last Review Date: October 2023

Termination Date: 10/19/2026

Description
HeartCode PALS Online is the online portion of PALS blended learning that will prepare students for hands-on practice and testing of PALS skills. It uses a personalized adaptive algorithm that sets students on the most efficient path to PALS mastery. Students follow a continuously adapting learning path that is personalized by their own inputs: their performance, and their self- reported confidence level related to each probe. The course content is presented in the form of self-directed learning content, probes, and Cognitive Assessment Activities.

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion, participants should be able to:

1. Perform high quality CPR per AHA BLS recommendations
2. Perform role as a high-performance team member
3. Differentiate between the patient requiring immediate intervention from those that don’t
4. Differentiate between respiratory distress and failure
5. Perform early interventions for respiratory distress and failure
6. Differentiate between compensated and hypotensive shock
7. Perform early interventions for the treatment of shock
8. Differentiate between unstable and stable patients with dysrhythmias
9. Demonstrate treatment of dysrhythmias
10. Implement Post arrest management

Accreditation Terms
Joint Accreditation: 10/20/2023 – 10/19/2026

CAPCE: 10/20/2023 – 10/19/2026

AARC: 10/21/2024 – 10/21/2025

Accreditation Statements

Joint Accreditation Statements
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by The American Heart Association. The American Heart Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

AMA Credit Designation Statement - Physicians
The American Heart Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AAPA Credit Acceptance Statement – Physician Assistants
AAPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 3.75 hours of Category I credit for completing this program.

AANP Credit Acceptance Statement – Nurse Practitioners
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

ANCC Credit Designation Statement - Nurses
The maximum number of hours awarded for this CE activity is 4.75 contact hours.

ACPE Credit Designation Statement – Pharmacists
ACPE Credit: 3.75 Contact Hours. Universal Program Number: JA0000134-0000-23-137-H04-P

Continuing Education Accreditation – Emergency Medical Services
This continuing education activity is approved by the American Heart Association, an organization accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE), for 5.25 Advanced CEHs, activity number 23-AMHA-F4-0052.

By claiming CAPCE credit, the claimant acknowledges the following: I understand that the American Heart Association as a requirement of CAPCE accreditation will submit a record of my course completions to the CAPCE AMS. I further understand that my course completion records may be accessed by or shared with such regulators as state EMS offices, training officers, and NREMT on a password-protected, need-to-know basis. In addition, I understand that I may review my record of CAPCE-accredited course completions by contacting CAPCE.

AARC Credit Statement - Respiratory Therapist
This non-traditional program has been approved for 4.50 contact hour(s) Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE) credit by the American Association for Respiratory Care, 9425 N. MacArthur Blvd. Suite 100 Irving TX 75063.

Course# 192711000

Participation and Successful Completion
I. Learners will register through RQI 1Stop or related LMS
II. Attendees will claim credit on a variety of online LMSs

Successful completion of this CE activity includes the following:

1. Complete all portions of the online course
2. Complete the course evaluation
3. Print the Certificate/Statement of Credit

Disclosure Statement
All persons in a position to control educational content of a CE activity provided by the American Heart Association must disclose to the audience all financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. The presence or absence of all financial relationships will be disclosed to the audience in activity materials. All unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices discussed will also be disclosed to the audience. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

The following authors/faculty have declared NO financial interest(s) and/or affiliations:

Kelly D. Kadlec, MD, Med
Mary E. McBride, MD, Med
Reylon Meeks, RN, BSN, MS, MSN, EMT, PhD
Jennifer Ashcraft, MSN Ed, RN
Brian K. Walsh, PhD, RRT
Jeremy Dymond, RN
Melissa Mahgoub, PhD
Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD
Deanna Rodriguez, MBA
Lauren Sanderson, MS

This list represents the relationships that may be perceived as actual or reasonable conflicts of interest as reported on the Disclosure Questionnaire, which all AHA volunteers are required to complete and submit. The focus is on relevant financial relationships with commercial interests in the 24-month period preceding the time that the individual is being asked to assume a role controlling content:

Sallie Johnson, PharmD, BCPS—Penn State Hershey Medical Center (Employment)

Target Audiences
1. Physicians
2. Physician Assistants
3. Nurse Practitioners
4. Nurses
5. Pharmacists
6. EMS
7. Respiratory Therapists

ADA Statement
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association strive to make our websites accessible. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association are committed to diversity, inclusion, and meeting the needs of all our constituents, including those with disabilities. We are continually improving our digital assets to comply with the accessibility guidelines for levels A and AA in accordance with WCAG 2.1.

If the format of any material on our web pages interferes with your ability to access the information, please contact us to request assistance or if you have questions or comments about our web sites’ accessibility.

The PALS Plus Course is for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the management of respiratory and/or cardiovascular emergencies, cardiopulmonary arrest, and other emergent and critical conditions in pediatric patients. This includes personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care, and critical care units such as physicians, physician assistants, hospitalists, advanced practice/registered nurses, advanced level prehospital providers, and others who desire additional advanced educational content beyond the traditional PALS course.