10 physicians complete course for advanced trauma life support

Published Sept. 21, 2011
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Ten Keesler Hospital and visiting physicians and physician extenders completed the advanced trauma life support course Sept. 12. The training, which lasted 20 hours over 2½ days, is presented by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.

According to course coordinator Randy Bernhardt, 81st Medical Group education and training flight, "It is designed to train doctors, and non-physician providers who work in trauma care areas, in the concepts, skills and techniques used in initial patient treatment. Its unique educational and interactive format includes the use of lectures, skills demonstrations, group discussions, practical lifesaving skills, simulated patient scenarios and written and practical skills tests. Interaction between the students and faculty is emphasized. The educational format affords care providers the opportunity to practice lifesaving techniques under simulated conditions."

He added, "The content presented in the course is designed to assist providers in establishing patient management priorities and providing emergency care for trauma patients. A central concept of the course is the 'Golden Hour'which emphasizes the urgency necessary for successful treatment of injured patients and is the window of opportunity during which doctors can have a positive impact on the mortality associated with injury.

"The course provides essential information and skills for doctors to identify and treat lifethreatening injuries under the extreme pressures associated with the care of these patients in the fast-paced environment and anxiety of a trauma room. The ATLS course is applicable to all providers in a variety of clinical situations and is just as relevant to care providers in a large hospital setting in North America as it is in developing nations with rudimentary facilities."

Instructors for the course were course director Maj. (Dr.) Robert Cromer, 81st Surgical Operations Squadron general surgeon; instructors Col. (Dr.) Gerald Schwartz, 81st MDG and an emergency medicine physician; Capts. (Drs.) Andrea Blake, Chad Edwards, Mark Lytle and Theresa Freeman, 81st MSGS general surgery residents; and Majs. (Drs.) Heather Bright and Craig Kolasch, 81st MSGS general surgeons; and Bradley Belford, assistant course coordinator and testing proctor.

The 81st MDG has conducted five courses since July 2010, training 112 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in critical battlefield and peacetime skills. Classes normally consist of between 16 and 19 students.