Improving Trauma Care Worldwide
ITLS is the smart choice for your trauma training because it’s:
ITLS, is one of two most internationally recognized pre-hospital trauma training programs, have both published manuals used for training. Here’s what sets ITLS apart:
In the first edition of the ITLS Course Manual for Emergency Care Providers, interventions and skills are presented within each chapter, making it easier for the student to understand the identification of traumatic conditions and the needed interventions.
During the Patient Assessment Skills station of the course, the role of the Team Leader stresses the assessment of the patient, identification of injuries and the need for the Team Leader to delegate interventions as they look for other life threats / injuries. The Team Leader is responsible for assuring that interventions are done correctly and in a timely manner. In this way, the assessment station reflects real world scene practices and fosters teamwork.
The amount of anatomy and physiology presented during the course is minimized as this material should be covered in the foundational training of the ECP. The chapters do include sufficient material to make sure the student has a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of the traumatic injury.
At the end of each chapter there is a QR Code that links you to an ITLS website, that will have additional information such as videos, additional references and useful tools
The Patient Assessment Algorithm flow chart has been redesigned to be simple and easy to follow. Emphasis is on the rapid identification and correction of immediate life threats. A full page containing all the Assessment Algorithms and other useful information can be downloaded and folded into a pocket reference.
ITLS continues to emphasize the importance of rapid assessment for life threats and critical injuries, with the initiation of only necessary interventions to save the patient, while on scene, followed by rapid transport. We have included the latest American College of Surgeons Trauma Triage guidelines in Chapter 1, which help identify those patients who need care a Level 1 trauma facility (if available). The secondary survey is briefly reviewed, as chapter focus is on the identification of critical trauma.
Exsanguinating hemorrhage is a major killer. Early application of tourniquets and other bleeding control skills is key to saving these patients. In Chapter 3: Shock and Hemorrhage Control, we follow the latest guidelines of decreasing administration of crystalloid and recommend transfusion of blood in the field, if blood is available.
After life threatening hemorrhage control, airway and breathing issues are the next priority. Chapter 4 – Trauma Airway and Ventilation devotes significant time to proper Bag Mas Ventilation. While a “Basic” Skill, it is potentially lifesaving. It is imperative that all ECPs be able to properly and adequately ventilate the trauma patient.
Chapter 5 deals with Traumatic Cardiac Arrest and focuses on the ECP identifying and correcting the treatable causes of TCA.
Chapter 6 reviews Multiple Casualty Events and covers triage for such events, including use of the SALT methodology.
Good ventilations are very important in the management of TBI. Chapter 7 follows the Arizona EPIC program recommendations that emphasize preventing hypotension and hypoxia, which are major killers in TBI. Hyperventilation is discouraged as it does not improve outcome and may be detrimental to the patient.
In the Thoracic Injury chapter (Chapter 9), we emphasize the importance of identifying a tension pneumothorax. While field decompression is subject to controversy, mostly due to improper placement, we cover the indications, anatomic landmarks and steps to perform both needle decompression and, if in scope of practice, finger thoracostomy.
Abdominal Trauma chapter includes discussion of the use of ultrasound in the field, as technology improves and makes it easier to use and afford such a system. In assessing and managing the patient with suspected pelvic fracture, ITLS stresses that the presence of pelvic pain is a sufficient indication for use of a pelvic binder, with the appropriate mechanism of injury.
The burn chapter reflects the American Burn Association ‘s guidelines on fluid resuscitation based on patient response, in contrast to the previous over hydration that was routinely done in the field
Chapter 13. pediatric trauma, reflects the latest recommendations and guidelines and reviews for the ECP, the differences between the Pediatric and Adult trauma patient.
The remaining chapters all reflect current recommendations. The Environmental Emergencies chapter includes updates on management of the drowning victim and emphasizes that drowning is really a breathing problem, not a cardiac problem. Heat and cold injury discussions review steps ECPs take to identify immediate life threats and what interventions are needed.
Chapiter 18- High Threat Environment, is written to orient the ECP to the risks and challenges of providing care in those situations. The chapters on Pain Control and Helicopter utilization have been written, to have a global focus.