Advanced trauma life support course: implications for the West Indies - abstract

ABSTRACT

The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Course for the american College of Surgeons was introduced to Trinidad in January, 1986. This study was undertaken to assess its potential value in Trinidad, its relevance to Third World countries as a whole and the method by which it might be introduced to other West Indian territories. Review of 2,126 road deaths in Trinidad between 1970 and 1979 showed an increase from 179 in 1970 to 252 in 1979. Most (69 percent) were males, mainly between 20 and 30 years and most fatal accidents occurred between 600 and 1000 p.m. mainly on weekends. About 75 percent of road deaths occurred in hospital, 65 percent of these dying within 6 hours of arrival in hospital. Because most deaths occur at times when senior staff is not immediately availabe, within hospital because most deaths occur within 6 hours, the critical, initial trauma resuscitation and management are often handled by the junior staff. The ATLS course is directed to these doctors and, in Trinidad, local instructors (trained by an American College of Surgeons Trauma Faculty) can now conduct these courses. The course places emphasis on priorities in trauma care and the practical skill stations (with X-Rays, animal dissection, head injury assessment, airway management and simulated trauma patients) are especially valuable. Because it is relatively inexpensive to conduct, a well-planned ATLS course is likely to be very valuable anc cost-effective for almost any Third World country. In most Caribbean territories where trauma is on the increase, this course should be instituted (AU)