Paediatric Advanced Life Support
The Paediatric ALS level 1 course aims to provide healthcare staff with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to:
- Demonstrate the structured ABCDE approach that facilitates rapid recognition of seriously ill children.
- Provide appropriate initial treatment interventions to prevent cardiorespiratory arrest.
- Treat children in respiratory or cardiorespiratory arrest until the arrival of a resuscitation team or more experienced assistance.
- Demonstrate competent basic life support techniques for infants and children.
Pre-course preparation
The course is run over one day and is mainly delivered as hands-on practical skill stations and workshops, with one lecture. The pre-course materials are sent two weeks before the start of the course and the candidate is advised to study the materials thoroughly. A 50 question MCQ is sent with the pre-course work to allow the candidate to identify their learning needs.
Continuous assessment of resuscitation skills is used on the course and a copy of the assessment criteria is forwarded to the candidate with their pre-course reading.
Pactical Stations
- ABCDE assessment
- BLS and choking
- Airway management and ventilation with adjuncts
- Emergency circulatory access, fluid administration and medications
- Paediatric ALS algorithm and management of cardiorespiratory arrest
- Simulation practice and optional targeted training
Demonstrations
- Initial ABCDE assessment and interventions
Lecture
- Recognition and initial management of the seriously ill child
Optional Targeted Training
Optional additional sessions to address specific needs of the candidates and their places of work may be included.
Suggested topics that can be covered include:
- ECG interpretation and cardiac rhythm analysis
- Defibrillation and cardio-version practice
- Basic trauma skills (e.g. c-spine immobilisation)
- Resuscitation of the child with a tracheostomy
