PALS go by age or weight or what?

Twice in the past few months I have had co-workers refuse to take care of patients (a small 14 year old and a good sized 16 year old) because the nurse was not PALS certified. We all have to have ACLS.

"For the purposes of these guidelines [PALS], the term "child" refers to the age group from 1 to 8 years."

If anyone has something more than the above sentence that will back up my claim that PALS doesn't apply I'd love to have more information.

I doubt I will change any co-workers minds, seems like they just don't like taking care of "pediatric" patients and will use any excuse. Why let "facts" get in the way of a good argument!!!!!
it's by weight.and if you do not know the weight of the child, there is this ruler type thing, I forgot the name, that you put on the patient and measure their length and you estimate their weight based on where the color square they fall on.

Quote from labrador4122it's by weight.and if you do not know the weight of the child, there is this ruler type thing, I forgot the name, that you put on the patient and measure their length and you estimate their weight based on where the color square they fall on.

Yes, it is the Braslow tape. We also have PAWS on our computer that generates a form that calculates all drugs for pediatric patients based on height and weight. But I'm not sure with PAWS what they consider the height and weight cut off?????PS These are baseline "healthy" patients. We ALL have more chance of getting hit by a meteor than our patient coding!!!!!!

Lab is referin to the Braslow tape which only goes to I think 36 KG. In my humble oppinion as an ER nurse you should be able to take care of whatever comes through the doors, doesn't matter their age or acuity level, or you shouldn't be an ER nurse! PALS or no PALS.The 16 year old is beyond PALS and probably even the 14 year old since their weight based doses would more than likely equate to an adult dose.

Quote from SpackleheadBroslow tape.

I have to ask where you work that your coworkers are allowed to "refuse" care to a pt,...I would be out on my butt in a sec if I did something like that!

I work in an out patient surgery center. There are enough nurses with PALS, that these few manage to get a pass. They bring up "I'm not PALS certified", and co-workers just say, "oh ok, you're right." My point is the PALS course technically states up to 8 years. Then were talking ACLS anyway. Right?

PALS until they're an adult weight. (Basically, once the weight-based doses start topping out.)I will say though, as a peds nurse, it's not just about coding. I used to work at a community hospital that really thought the only training required for peds was taking a PALS class. (And looking back, it was scary the things we did there.) Kids can compensate really well, until they can't, then they crash fast. With peds, you have to recognize that there are problems while they're still compensating, and those signs are subtle.It's not just about giving smaller doses. It's not just PALS they need, it's training and respect for the differences in peds patients that everyone needs at a facility taking peds patients.

To me, if you are in a predicament where PALS and/or ACLS needs to be used, you don't have time to say "no, im not certified"! These aren't your slight fever, runny nose cases. As nurses, we should be knowledgable enough to handle/stablize any situation until a more qualified professional gets on scene. And i just took PALS and they said it is PALS until an adult weight...but, unfortunately, these days that could be at any age.

Quote from brownbookTwice in the past few months I have had co-workers refuse to take care of patients (a small 14 year old and a good sized 16 year old) because the nurse was not PALS certified. We all have to have ACLS."For the purposes of these guidelines [PALS], the term "child" refers to the age group from 1 to 8 years." If anyone has something more than the above sentence that will back up my claim that PALS doesn't apply I'd love to have more information. I doubt I will change any co-workers minds, seems like they just don't like taking care of "pediatric" patients and will use any excuse. Why let "facts" get in the way of a good argument!!!!!