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Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS)

The American Heart Association’s PEARS course is designed for healthcare providers and others who might encounter pediatric emergency situations during their work, including physicians and nurses not specializing in pediatrics, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, EMTs, respiratory therapists, prehospital and in-facility healthcare providers outside of critical care areas, outpatient clinic staff, school-based providers, and any other healthcare provider who infrequently sees critically ill or injured infants and children. This classroom, instructor-led course uses a series of videos and simulated pediatric emergencies to learn a foundational systematic approach needed to quickly assess, recognize the cause and participate in the initial management/stabilization of respiratory emergencies, cardiovascular emergencies, and cardiopulmonary arrest in pediatric patients. The course aims to improve outcomes for pediatric patients by teaching students to provide appropriate lifesaving interventions during the initial minutes of response until a child or infant can be transferred to an advanced life support provider.

Course content

  • Systematic approach to pediatric assessment
  • Assessment and management of respiratory distress and shock
  • Identification and management of cardiac arrest
  • Effective resuscitation team dynamics

The PEARS course is intended for healthcare providers who infrequently care for the critically ill pediatric patient.

Schedule release of classes

  • January-March classes will be released on or around the first week of October.
  • April-June classes will be released on or around the first week of January.
  • July-September classes will be released on or around the first week of April.
  • October-December classes will be released on or around the first week of July.

The LSP constantly evaluates the need to increase the size or add additional classes based on the needs of the hospital community.

PEARS provider course

The PEARS course is offered in one day from 7 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

Cost:

  • $300/person: BCH employees, BCH / TS Affiliates
  • $400/person: all other participants

The course fee includes a PEARS electronic provider manual with electronic reference card and course completion card. Please visit shop.cpr if you would like to purchase a separate paper reference card.

Please review the PEARS Course Learning Objectives.

Important notes

Registration:

  • All participants must submit a completed registration form.
  • Participants will be accepted into classes on a first-come basis. Class size is limited.
  • A confirmation email will be sent to you within two business days or 48 hours. If you do not receive this email, then please contact our office for further assistance.

Changes, cancellations, and refunds:

  • Any requested changes prior to 21 business days of the scheduled course date will incur a $25 administrative fee. Changes requested with less than a 21-business-day notice are treated as a cancellation and the participant may have to forfeit all fees.
  • All requests for refunds must be submitted with at least 21 business days prior to the first date of the class. Refunds will be issued minus a $25 administrative fee.
  • Cancellations within 21 days, “no show” candidates, and participants who are late to the class will not be allowed to participate and forfeit all fees.
  • For additional information, please refer to the Life Support Program Registration Policies and Procedures link located on our website.

PEARS precourse preparation

Students must prepare adequately to enable successful completion of the PEARS course. This course does not teach BLS skills. Before taking this course, students must be already proficient in performing child and infant BLS skills.

Textbooks

Textbooks are an integral part of the student's education. Each student must have the current appropriate course textbook readily available for use before, during, and after the course. Students may reuse their previous textbooks until new science guidelines are published. A library system of PEARS provider manuals are available for Boston Children's Hospital employee use.