Advanced Trauma Life Support

Royal College of Surgeons of England Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Course

Background

ATLS® is a multidisciplinary course enabling a standardised language of trauma care across the specialties. The aim of The ATLS® is to teach a simple systematic approach to the management of trauma patients through interactive tutorials, skills teaching and simulated patient management scenarios. Attendance at the course also exposes the candidate to a network of motivated colleagues with an enthusiasm for trauma management. The ATLS® course was developed by the American College of Surgeons and has now been adopted in over 60 countries worldwide.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate the concepts and principles of the primary and secondary patient assessments.
• Establish management priorities in a trauma situation.
• Initiate primary and secondary management necessary within the golden hour for the emergency management of acute life threatening conditions.
• In a given simulated clinical and surgical skills practicum, demonstrate a range of skills, which are often required in the initial assessment and treatment of patients with multiple injuries

Who the course is aimed at:

• FY2, CT1-2, ST1-2, SAS Grades and suitably trained advanced practitioners.

• FY1 are not eligible to attend this course.

Course Programme

ATLS® teaches a safe reliable method for immediate management of the injured trauma patient. ATLS® is a multidisciplinary course enabling a standardised language of trauma care across the specialties.

The ATLS® course covers a range of procedures and topics including:

• Initial assessment and management
• Airway and ventilatory management
• Abdominal and pelvic shock
• Thoracic trauma
• Trauma – head, spine, musculoskeletal
• Spinal Immobilisation
• Secondary survey, head to toe exam, patient transfer
• Spinal assessment/x-rays
• Primary survey x-rays
• Cricothyroidotomy/chest decompression/pericardiocentesis
• Application of pelvic binder

This is a highly-interactive course combining lectures, discussions, interactive tutorials, skills teaching and simulated patient management scenarios (moulage).

Assessment & Certification

There are continual assessments throughout the course. Pre-course reading is essential to be able to participate fully in the course. Candidates receive the ATLS® manual.

Cost

The course cost is £625 – this includes course manual, daytime catering, certificate & Royal College of Surgeons of England fees (£120 Manual & Registration).

Web link for Royal College of Surgeons of England ATLS:

https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/courses/course-search/atls.html