Identifying and Managing Pulseless Electrical Activity for EMS

Course overview

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) is a life-threatening pulseless cardiac rhythm. Patients with PEA often have an increased risk of death, especially in the absence of urgent medical intervention. One study found that 23% of 150 patients were successfully resuscitated and admitted to the hospital; however, only 11% of those patients survived before discharge (Oliver et al., 2021). This is why it is important for healthcare providers (HCPs) to recognize PEA and its underlying causes early to ensure better patient survival outcomes. The goal of this course is to provide emergency medical service professionals, nursing professionals, physicians, and respiratory therapy professionals in an acute care setting with information about the identification and treatment of PEA.