The advanced trauma life support course: can it benefit the region? - abstract

ABSTRACT

The advanced trauma life support (ATLS) course was introduced in Trinidad and Tobago in 1986. The cumulative injury to death ratios for the two years prior to the course (1984 & 1985) and the two years after the inauguration of the course (1987 & 1988) were 20.2 and 21.2, respectively. The temporal pattern of injuries and deaths (day of week and time of day) in both groups was similar; and most deaths occurred during periods when the onus of patient care rested with those physicians on whom the course was to have maximum impact. Any benefit from the ATLS course may only be realised if improvements in communication, transport and trained paramedical staff augment the existing health system (AU)