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ACS

American College of Surgeons

Committee on Trauma Presents
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ACS

Course
Overview
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Program Goals
Rapid accurate assessment
Resuscitate and stabilize by priority
Determine needs and capabilities
Arrange for transfer to definitive care
Assure optimum care
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ACS

Course Objectives
Demonstrate concepts / principles of
primary and secondary assessment
Establish management priorities
Initiate primary / secondary management
Demonstrate the skills necessary to
assess / manage the critically injured
patient
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ACS

The Need
Trauma is the leading cause of death in
the first four decades of life
3 patients permanently disabled per death
ATLS provides common language
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ACS

The Beginning
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ACS

The Beginning
When I can provide better care in the field
with limited resources than what my
children and I received at the primary
care facility there is something wrong
with the system and the system has to be
changed.
*James Styner, MD, FACS*
1977
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ACS

Trimodal Death Distribution

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ATLS Concept
ABCDE-approach to evaluation /
treatment
Treat greatest threat to life first
Definitive diagnosis not immediately
important
Time is of the essence
Do no further harm
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ATLS Concept
A Airway with c-spine protection
B Breathing
C Circulation
D Disability / Neurologic status
E Exposure / Environment
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ACS

Initial Assessment / Management

Injury
Transfer
Primary Survey
Optimize patient Adjuncts
status Resuscitation

Reevaluation Reevaluation

Secondary Survey
Adjuncts
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ACS

ATLS Educational Format

Demonstrations
Group discussions
Interactive skills stations
Simulated patient scenarios
Written exams
Lectures
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International ATLS Program

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Questions
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Summary
ABCDE-approach to trauma care
One, safe way
Do no further harm
Treat greatest threat to life first