EMS 140 - Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support

Description: Management of traumatically injured individuals including sequence of assessment and techniques of resuscitation, stabilization and transport. Organized approach to trauma care for EMTs and nurses who evaluate and stabilize the trauma victim. Stresses conditions which cannot be stabilized in pre-hospital environment and require immediate transport. Designed for healthcare professionals including first responders, EMRs, EMTs, paramedics, RNs or other allied health professionals who hold suitable qualifications for understanding the materials.

Credits: 2
Lecture: 1
Lab: 1.5

Course Content:

1. Infectious disease precautions and equipment
2. Assessment of the trauma scene and patient
3. Fundamentals of basic trauma care.
4. Airway skills and management
5. Thoracic trauma skills and management
6. Head/Spinal trauma skills and management
7. Abdominal/extremity trauma skills and management
8. Shock evaluation and management
9. Burns management
10.  Special trauma populations

1. Conduct an injury assessment in the pre-hospital setting. (2, 3)
2. Maintain the airway patency and adequate ventilatory status of the injured patient. (3, 4)
3. Recognize and treat the signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock in the injured patient. (2, 3, 5-9)
4. Identify those patients suffering head/spinal injuries that require spinal motion restriction. (2, 3, 6)
5. Manage a suspected lower extremity injury using an appropriate immobilization device. (1, 2, 6, 7)
6. Identify the most common blood borne viral illnesses to which EMS providers are likely to be exposed in the provision of trauma patient care. (1)
7. Select and employ the appropriate trauma treatments for the pre-hospital injured patient. (1-10)

1. Written Pre/post exams
2. Skill competency check off