ATLS Refresher Course

Student Course Description

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma developed the current ATLS® program in accordance with the College’s long-standing dedication to improvement of care for the surgical patient. The program is designed for physicians who do not treat victims of major trauma regularly and who may not have immediate access to sophisticated emergency care facilities.

Physicians treating trauma patients in emergency or surgical departments also benefit from the course training. The program emphasizes the first hour of initial assessment and primary management of the injured patient, starting at the point in time of injury and continuing through initial assessment, life-saving intervention, re-evaluation, stabilization, and when needed, transfer to a facility in which the patient can receive specialized care, such as a trauma center.

Program Goals

The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) course provides its participants with a safe and reliable method for the immediate treatment of injured patient and the basic knowledge necessary to:

• Assess the patient’s condition rapidly and accurately

• Resuscitate and stabilize patient according to priority

• Determine whether a patient’s needs exceed a facility’s resources and/or a doctor’s capabilities

• Arrange appropriately for a patient’s inter-hospital or intra-hospital transfer (who, what, when and how)

• Ensure that optimal care is provided and that the level of care does not deteriorate at any point during the evaluation, resuscitation, or transfer process

Accreditation

The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.

The American College of Surgeons designates this education activity for a maximum of 19 hours for the ATLS® Student Course and a maximum of 5 hours for the ATLS® Refresher Course AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The American College of Surgeons ATLS® Program complies with the Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA). Any person who needs an accommodation under the ADA should contact the CoxHealth Trauma Program Manager, Norrie Bradley at norrie.bradley@coxhealth.com or (417)269-0921.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

For questions you should contact the CoxHealth Trauma Program Manager, Norrie Bradley at norrie.bradley@coxhealth.com or (417)269-0921.