ATLS Overview

Question 1

Learning Objectives

Answer 1

• 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.

Question 2

What is the need of Advanced Trauma Life Support? (ATLS)

Answer 2

• Trauma is the leading cause of death in the first 4 decades of life in most developed countries.
• 3.8 million deaths / year worldwide
• 312 million injured / year worldwide
• 3 patients permanently disabled / death

Question 3

What are the program goals of ATLS?

Answer 3

• Rapid accurate assessment
• Resuscitate and stabilize by priority
• Determine needs and capabilities
• Arrange for transfer to definitive care
• Assure optimum care

Question 4

Describe the Trimodal Death Distribution

Answer 4

• Death that occurs as soon as an injury happens is known as immediate death (Highest point)
• Early deaths typically tend to occur 1-3 hours after injury
• Late deaths occur 3-5 weeks after injury

Question 5

Describe the ATLS concept

Answer 5

• Provide an 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

Question 6

Describe the ABCDE approach in the ATLS concept

Answer 6

• A: Airway with C-Spine protection
• B: Breathing/Ventilation/Oxygenation
• C: Circulation: Stop the bleeding
• D: Disability: (Neuro status)
• E: Exposure/Environment/Body temp

Question 7

What is the initial assessment / management when a patient comes in?

Answer 7

• Injury -> Primary Survey -> Resuscitation -> Re-Evaluation -> Secondary Survey -> Re-Evaluation -> Optimise patient status -> Transfer

Question 8

What does the ATLS educational format entail?

Answer 8

• Interactive lectures and skills sessions
• Demonstrations
• Group discussions
• Simulated patient scenarios
• Written exams

Question 9

Briefly describe the international ATLS program

Answer 9

• Present in more than 44 countries
• More than 500,000 doctors trained worldwide

Question 10

What is the impact of the ATLS program

Answer 10

• Documented improvements in care of injured patient after implementation of program
• Lower Injury mortality
• Lower per capita injury death
• Retention of organizational and procedural skills

Question 11

Summary

Answer 11

• ABCDE – approach to trauma care
• One, safe way
• Do no further harm
• Treat the greatest threat to life first