- American College of Surgeons
By
The ATLS® Program was developed to teach emergency care providers one safe, reliable method for assessing and initially managing the injured patient. The course provides an organized approach for evaluation and management of seriously injured patients and offers a foundation of common knowledge for all members of the trauma team. The emphasis is on the critical “first hour” of care, focusing on initial assessment, lifesaving intervention, reevaluation, stabilization, and, when needed, transfer to a trauma center. This publication was written for use in ATLS® Student Courses and is updated approximately every four years. This ninth edition manual, released in September 2012, features a companion APP to serve as both a bed-side reference tool and supplemental educational resource.