SCCM has offered its Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) course to global audiences since the mid-1990s. While FCCS addresses both adult and pediatric issues, its primary focus is the adult patient. PFCCS disseminates fundamental pediatric critical care concepts to professional providers who may be involved in the initial management and transfer of critically ill or injured infants and children.

Course Purpose

• To better prepare the non-intensivist for the first 24 hours of post-resuscitation management of the critically ill pediatric patient until transfer or appropriate critical care consultation can be arranged.
• To prepare non-intensivists, nurses and critical care practitioners in dealing with acute deterioration of the critically ill pediatric patient.
• To assist the non-intensivist in dealing with sudden deterioration of a previously stable patient.
• To prepare house staff for PICU coverage.

Course Objectives 

• Prioritize assessment needs for the critically ill or injured infant and child.
• Select appropriate diagnostic tests.
• Identify and respond to significant changes in the unstable pediatric patient.
• Recognize and initiate management of acute life-threatening conditions.
• Determine the need for expert consultation and/or patient transfer and prepare the practitioner for optimally accomplishing transfer.

Intended Audience

PFCCS is designed to prepare healthcare providers in caring for unstable, critically ill or injured pediatric patients. Likely participants include:

• Hospitalists caring for potentially unstable, critically ill or injured pediatric patients.
• Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants with limited pediatric practice.
• Rapid Response/Medical Emergency Team members.
• Critical care fellows beginning their training.
• Emergency medicine physicians who do not routinely care for pediatric patients.
• Nursing care for complex and potentially unstable patients.
• Pre-hospital providers with lengthy patient transfer times.

AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT PFCCS

Text Chapters

Pediatric critical care experts have written, reviewed and organized the First Edition chapters to reflect the most current guidelines and practices. Chapters include topics unique to the pediatric population, such as: assessment; pediatric airway management; acute and lower airway disease; invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation; traumatic injuries including burns, shock, transport, sedation, analgesia and pharmacology; neurologic emergencies, electrolyte and metabolic disorders; and acute infections.  Other topics include:

• Management of the Child with Congenital Heart Disease
• Cardiopulmonary/Cerebral Resuscitation
• Pediatric Emergency Preparedness
• Management of the Poisoned Child and Adolescent
• Ethical and Legal Issues
• Oncologic Emergencies and Complications
• Acute Renal Failure
• Postoperative Management
• Hematology: Coagulation and Transfusion

Appendices

The First Edition includes several appendices with content that can serve as reference material on current pediatric critical care practice. These include:

• Endotracheal Intubation
• PALS Algorithms
• Intraosseous Needle Insertion
• Throacostomy
• Arterial Catheter Insertion
• Central Venous Catheter Insertion
• Pediatric Normal Values
• Pediatric Transport Form
• Airway Adjuncts
• Common Medications
• Defibrillation/Cardioversion
• Temporary Transcutaneous Cardiac Pacing
• Difficult Airway Algorithm
• Rapid Response (Medical Emergency) Teams
• Hospitalists and the Critically Ill Child

User-Friendly Format

Several features and formatting techniques make the First Edition easy to navigate and understand. This format maximizes learning and flow of information. Each chapter and major section begins with learning objectives and a case study to focus attention on key clinical findings and patient presentation. Information boxes in the margins reinforce essential principles and emphasize clinical cautions, and many sections offer additional electronic resources for suggested reading. 

Pre- and Post-Tests

Pre- and post-tests will validate students’ knowledge accrual following participation in a PFCCS Course. Tests have been structured to reflect the Course content.

Sample PFCCS Course Schedule

DAY 1

 

 DAY 2