Edmonton Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) has launched the 10th edition of its course, which paramedics, nurse practitioners and physician assistants may now take for certification, not just for audit purposes. Edmonton's ATLS program is a leader in Western Canada. Edmonton Director of ATLS, who founded Northern Alberta's Trauma Registry, Dr. VanWijngaarden-Stephens says, "We have a reputation of doing a good course - so people come looking for us."
American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma ATLS Subcommittee founded the course in 1976 after a plane crash in rural Nebraska, where an orthopedic surgeon lost his wife. It came to Edmonton in the 1980s. In 1995 the course transitioned to become a part of the academic curriculum at the 'University of Alberta'.
The course has become an integral part of resident education and ongoing physician CME. Since its inception, the course has seen several progressive editions, with the most recent 10th edition being implemented in Edmonton in September 2018. The 10th edition course has entailed quite a few changes and now includes interactive discussions, many hands on skills stations, and active training in simulated patient evaluation/management delivered over a two-day curriculum. It has added Team Training as well.
Surgeons in Edmonton have been part of the ATLS Subcommittee, contributing the ATLS manual. Dr. VanWijngaarden-Stephens was a contributor to the 8th Edition course and manual. Dr. Sarvesh Logsetty, a past Edmonton General/Burn surgeon, is also a listed contributor to ATLS manuals.
Both BC and Saskatchewan have invited Edmonton's ATLS program to assist with the improvement and development of their ATLS programs.
Each year, Edmonton ATLS runs 10-12 courses, training 160-190 physicians. It is a required course for all PGY1 Surgery residents and all Family Practice residents. Many Northern Alberta hospitals require physicians working in Emergency to have ATLS Provider status as well. This leads to huge demand on Edmonton's ATLS course. Edmonton ATLS receives much demand from those outside of its referral zone to participate in the course, as it is highly recognized for its quality.
Edmonton ATLS does 1-2 travelling ATLS courses/years, where ATLS coordinators and instructors travel to a course site outside of Edmonton. This requires much coordination with the course site, and usually 6-8 months advanced planning. Course sites have included Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Drayton Valley, Lloydminster, Grande Prairie, and Bonnyville. By travelling to the local site, physician and ancillary personnel (ER nurses, paramedics) are trained as a team in their local environment. These courses are always very well received, as they facilitate discussion of local challenges and culture.
Running an ATLS course requires a large team. Edmonton ATLS currently has about 75 trained instructors. These instructors are emergency physicians, surgeons of all flavours, and intensivists. Eight of these instructors also function as Course Directors. It is a truly multidisciplinary team. Each course requires engagement from at least 10-15 instructors. As well there is a committed team of ATLS Coordinators (Cathy Falconer - pediatric trauma coordinator, Shelley Nolan - NeuroICU nurse & STARS RN) who are present for the entire course to ensure everything flows well. Without such committed coordinators, the courses would not run. Volunteer moulaged patients round out the team.
We are very fortunate to have an extremely committed, dedicated group of ATLS Instructors who transfer their enthusiasm and knowledge to students well. The net result is improved care of the seriously injured in Northern Alberta.