What is the ‘PEM Course’?
The ‘PEM Course’ is a half-day simulation-based advanced pediatric resuscitation training course designed for emergencies physicians, pediatricians, and senior post-graduate trainees.
The participant will take part in eight pediatric resuscitation simulation scenarios as team leader and team member. The scenarios are based on real cases and encompass pediatric conditions requiring early recognition and prompt management. High-fidelity simulators and task trainers at the Provincial Simulation Center will be used in this course and resuscitation tasks are carried out in real time. The scenarios are designed to highlight the unique pediatric anatomical and physiological idiosyncrasies.
The topics cover pediatric airway, upper and lower respiratory collapse, shock, trauma, CNS emergencies, congenital heart disease, metabolic emergencies, cardiopulmonary failure and arrest, neonatal sepsis, maltreatment, and toxicological emergencies.
The course will also provide the participant with opportunity to demonstrate psychomotor skills and procedures used in pediatric resuscitation including advanced airway control, surgical airway, peripheral and central vascular access, intraosseous cannulation, thoracocenthesis, and lumbar puncture. The participant will also practice reviewing ancillary tests including radiographic imaging, EKG’s, and blood tests relevant to the scenarios.
The participant will be presented with the latest evidence and most recent BC Children’s Hospital guidelines and policies pertaining to the cases.
This course is entirely interactive and simulation-based with no didactic components allowing for optimal hands-on role play and team building. The aim is to enhance the participant team and communication skills in resuscitation settings. The post-scenario debriefing allows the participants to reflect on performance in a relaxed and non-threatening environment where the performed tasks are reviewed and potential improvements are discussed within the group.
This course starts at 8:00 am and ends at 12:30 pm.
Is there a completion examination?
There is a MCQ course completion examination which will evaluate the participant’s mastery of the highlights of the course.
How is the PEM Course different from the PALS course or the APLS course?
PALS is a Heart and Stroke Foundation course offered to health care providers of all backgrounds. PALS focuses on pre-arrest and arrest algorithms. There is less attention paid to clinical context. There is mandatory pre-reading of PALS manual. This course is recommended to those who require to update their mastery of basic and advanced life support algorithms.
APLS is an American College of Emergency Physicians course offered to physicians with focus on early recognition of serious disease in children. There are mandatory didactic components to this course which can diminish the simulation time. Mandatory pre-reading of the APLS textbook is required. The APLS course is recommended to physicians who require an overview of principles of recognition of the sick child in acute care settings.
Who are the instructors for the course?
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine physicians at BC Children’s Hospital
- Pediatric Intensivists
- Emergency Room physicians
- Nursing and Respiratory Therapy educators and simulation leaders
What are the pre-requisites of the course?
Previous PALS or APLS certification is recommended but not required. There is no preparatory work required. A pre-course test will be sent to you one month prior to the course to familiarize you with the contents of the course. A course manual containing salient features of simulation scenarios, the latest evidence, the relevant BC Children’s Hospital guidelines, pearls and pitfalls will be presented to the participant on the day of the course.
Who is this course designed for?
The PEM Course is designed for emergency physicians, pediatricians, and senior post-graduate trainees. The course will be most useful for clinicians involved in the care of infants and children in acute and emergency settings on an ongoing basis.
What credits do I get after attending this course?
A certificate of completion will be provided to successful participants on the day of the course. This course is pre-approved for 5.0 section 3 Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits.
Please visit the accreditations page for details regarding course credits.
What is the registration fee?
Registration fee is 550.00 per person and includes light breakfast and refreshments. The registration fee for trainees and allied health professionals is 250.00 per person.
Where is the course held?
The course is held at the Provincial Simulation Center at BC Children’s Hospital. The Simulation Center is on E6 in Shaunessey Building at BCCH.
This is how to find BCCH Simulation Center:
- Enter the BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre campus via GATE 3 on the corner of Heather Street & 29th Avenue.
- After passing through the entry gate, proceed ahead to the 4-way stop; cross straight through the intersection.
- Pass under the archway labeled “Women’s Health Centre” and you will see the Women’s Health Centre building located immediately on the right side.
- Enter the Women’s Health Centre building via the main entrance glass doors and take the elevators (directly inside the entrance) up to the 6th Floor.
- Exit the elevators and turn to the right – proceed straight down the hallway.
Who is the Course Director/Creator?
Navid Dehghani MD FRCPC (PEM)
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics, UBC
Provincial PEM CME Director
ndehghani@cw.bc.ca
If you have any questions about the course, don’t hesitate to contact the course director.
When is the next PEM Course?
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What is the cancellation policy?
We are unable to provide you with a refund for any cancellation less than one week in advance of the course as it would be impossible to replace you with short notice. No refunds or transfers will be given for “no shows”.
Who do I contact to register for the course?
Christina Tou
Program Administrator
Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
BC Children’s Hospital
Room K4-164, 4480 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4
604-875-2345 (Extension 7333)
CTou@cw.bc.ca