Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC)
NAEMT's Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) course focuses on the care of sick and injured children, addressing a full spectrum of emergency illnesses, injuries and scenarios that an EMS practitioner might encounter. The course provides an in-depth understanding of the pathophysiology of the most common pediatric emergency issues, and stresses critical thinking skills to help practitioners make the best decisions for their patients.
EPC uses the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) as a tool to help EMS practitioners rapidly and accurately assess pediatric patients and incorporates family centered care throughout all scenarios. Training encompasses lectures, hands-on skills practice and small group critical thinking discussions.
Topics include: understanding kids; airway, breathing and oxygenation; cardiac emergencies; child abuse and neglect; common medical emergencies; the importance of family; hypoperfusion and shock; newborn resuscitation; pediatric trauma; and special health care needs.
EPC is for all emergency medical technicians and paramedics committed to providing quality care for pediatric patients. Flexible course formats fit the continuing education needs of all EMS practitioners: traditional two-day face-to-face Provider Course, an accelerated two-day Provider-Instructor Course, and a Hybrid Course that combines eight hours of online training followed by one day of on-site interactive stations. This modular course format can fulfill the pediatric clinical and educational needs of an EMS agency while minimizing budgetary and logistical impacts.
