The Advanced Trauma Life Support®course teaches a systematic, concise approach to the early care of the trauma patient. This course is vital to guiding care for the injured patient in emergency department trauma rooms. ATLS® course training provides a common language that can save lives in critical situations.
The ATLS courses offered at the U-M Medical School through the Division of Acute Care Surgery are educational programs designed for doctors, emergency room physician extenders, and pre-hospital care providers who are primarily responsible for managing the critically injured patient. Initial assessment and management of specific injuries are presented through lecture and skill stations. The participant observes and practices to proficiency, those life-saving skills necessary in the initial management and stabilization of the trauma victim. Courses are taught in the Clinical Simulation Center, at the University of Michigan Health Main Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI.
For more details on upcoming courses, fees, and how to register, please contact the UMHS ATLS coordinator.
Cancellations
In order to receive a full refund, requests must be received in writing 14 days prior to the course date. Refund requests received in writing within 1-13 days prior to the course date will be refunded at 50%.
Confirmations
Conference registrations will be confirmed by email. If you do not receive confirmation, or if the information is in question, please call the UM ATLS coordinator.
Please be advised that these courses are not seminars. For participants to successfully complete the course, ATLS national guidelines require attendance at all sessions, a passing score on the written and practical examinations, and performance of each skill in accordance with the guidelines.
Verification of successful completion of each course is valid for four years.
Materials for the course will be sent to the address provided on your form at least two weeks before the course date. Students are advised that to successfully complete the student course they must read the manual. and complete the online learning modules. This is particularly important with the interactive style of the course, as students are expected to actively participate in the interactive lectures and skills stations.
In addition, a pretest and online learning modules will be included with the materials for the ATLS Student course. The pretest and all online learning modules must be completed prior to the course date.
The Advanced Trauma Life Support® Student Course is designed to teach the physician life-saving skills and a standardized approach to trauma care in the first hour following a trauma incident. These courses are sponsored by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and the Michigan Committee on Trauma. They are jointly presented by the Department of Surgery Division of Acute Care Surgery.
Objectives
Surgeons, emergency physicians, and other physicians involved in emergency care of injured persons are encouraged to take this course. Upon successful completion of the ATLS® course, the participant is able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, principles, skills, and techniques used in initial management of the trauma patient.
- Establish management priorities in trauma situations.
- Initiate the primary and secondary management necessary for acute life-threatening emergencies within the first hour of care.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the assessment and management skills necessary for the initial care of trauma victims in a simulated clinical setting.
The University of Michigan's exceptional facilities, particularly for teaching surgical skills, gives us the opportunity to go beyond normal content for students who are interested. We attract a diverse array of students from many specialties and geographic locations, and have high expectations for our students. We maintain high standards for course completion.
Agenda
The ATLS Hybrid Course is an alternative option to the traditional 2-day ATLS Student Course. Students taking the hybrid course will be required to complete the full complement of online mATLS Learning Modules. After successful completion of the mATLS modules, the student must then complete the ATLS skills stations, skills test, and written examination in a classroom setting. The classroom portion of the ATLS Hybrid Course may be completed in 1 day at the University of Michigan Simulation Center. The ATLS Hybrid Course has been approved for 19 continuing education hours.
Practical skills stations include: Surgical Skill Practicum, Cricothyroidotomy, Venous Cut-Down, Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage, Needle Thoracentesis, Chest Tube Insertion, Pericardiocentesis, Airway and Ventilatory Management, Assessment and Management of Shock, X-ray Identification of Thoracic Injuries, Head and Neck Trauma Assessment/Management, Spinal Cord Injury Assessment/Management, Assessment/Management of Musculoskeletal Trauma, Initial Assessment Skills Practice/Test, Written Test.
Course lectures include: Course Overview, Initial Assessment, Airway and Ventilatory Management, Shock, Thoracic Trauma, Abdominal Trauma, Head Trauma, Spine and Spinal Cord Trauma, Musculoskeletal Trauma, Injury Due to Burns and Cold, Extremes of Age, Pediatric Trauma, Trauma in Elderly, Trauma in Women, Transport to Definitive Care.
Accreditation
The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The American College of Surgeons designates this educational activity for a maximum of 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The course is approved by the American College of Emergency Physicians for up to 16 Category 1 credits (1 hour = 1 credit).
- 1-day Student Hybrid course – 16 Credits
- 2-day Student course – 16 credits
- 2.5-day Student course – 16 credits
This is a half-day refresher course for ATLS students who wish to renew their ATLS® Student status (required every four years). It consists of a brief update on ATLS core content and written and simulated patient testing to demonstrate that knowledge and skill levels have been maintained. An updated ATLS Manual is provided. Persons whose Student status has expired (beyond the six-month grace period), who have not been active in trauma care, or who wish to retake the skills portions of the ATLS Course, are directed to enroll in a full Student Course.
The Refresher Course is limited to a maximum of 16 participants.
Accreditation
The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The American College of Surgeons designates this educational activity for a maximum of 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The course is approved by the American College of Emergency Physicians for up to 5.5 Category 1 credits (1 hour = 1 credit). The 1-day Student Refresher course is 5.5 credits.
Our highly experienced faculty have been instructing and training instructors for over 20 years and we attract a diverse array of instructor candidates from around the state and country. Our faculty tailor the learning experience to the needs of the students so that our ATLS Instructor Course provides a better learning experience.
The ATLS Instructor Course candidates are selected from Student Course participants on the basis of outstanding performance. Such students will be identified by their course directors and notified of their Instructor potential status. They are then eligible to apply for the Instructor Course.
Prerequisites for ATLS® Instructor Course applicants are:
- Applicants with Instructor potential status must participate in an Instructor course within three years of completing the Student Refresher Course.
- The applicant must demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm for the content and further promulgation of the ATLS® program.
- The applicant must agree to participate actively as a team member of the faculty, assisting with courses at the local and state/provincial level.
Program Director
Surgery and Medical Director
Surgery
