The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course was established by the American College of Surgeons to provide a concise approach to the assessment and management of the priorities in multiply injured patients.  

At the MUHC, the course is taught over two days and is accredited for Continuing Medical Education. The course consists of pre- and post-course tests, lectures, case presentations, and practical experience.  Only physicians are eligible for ATLS certification.  The courses are limited to 20 participants. 

A hybrid course is designed so that some class hours are replaced by online activities and hands-on, face-to-face training. 

Rural Trauma Team Development Course - 4th Edition 

RTTDC emphasizes a team approach to the initial assessment, resuscitation and transfer of the trauma patient in a systemized, concise manner. 

Course Content 

The didactic portion of the course addresses the following concepts: 

• airway
• breathing
• circulation
• disability
• exposure and environment
• transfer to Definitive Care
• pediatric trauma
• special considerations (pregnancy, burns, geriatric)
• performance improvement and patient safety
• communications

The course also includes Team Performance Scenarios, in which the teams use patient scenarios to perform a primary assessment.

Course description

Developed by the Rural Trauma Committee of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, RTTDC is based on the concept that in most situations, rural facilities can form a trauma team consisting of at least three core members. The course is offered in a single day or modular format.

Target audience

The intended audience includes individuals who are involved in the care of the injured patient, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, prehospital personnel, technicians and administrative support. 

Course Objectives 

• Organize a rural trauma team with defined roles and responsibilities for the members 
• Prepare a rural facility for the appropriate care of the injured patient 
• Identify local resources and limitations 

• Assess and resuscitate a trauma patient 
• Initiate the transfer process early 
• Establish a performance improvement process 
• Communication effectively 
• Define the relationship between the rural trauma facility and the regional trauma system 

Accreditation 

The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  

AMA Credit Designation 

The American College of Surgeons designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME.  

Other non-physician participants will receive a certificate of course completion that they can use to claim credits from their respective credentialing entities. 

The Definitive Surgical Trauma Care Course (DSTC) is an invigorating, exciting opportunity to focus on: 

• surgical decision-making in complex scenarios
• operative technique in critically ill trauma patients
• hands-on practical experience with experienced instructors (both national and international)
• insight into difficult trauma situations with learned techniques of haemorrhage control and the ability to handle major thoracic, cardiac and abdominal injuries

In conjunction with many DSTC courses, the Definitive Perioperative Nurses Trauma Care Course (DPNTC) is held. It is aimed at registered nurses with experience in perioperative nursing and allows them to develop these skills in a similar setting. 

Two day course – available in English only 

Course content 

The Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) is an internationally recognized course designed to standardize trauma nursing knowledge and care of the trauma patient. Knowledge is the core of any discipline and the TNCC presents core-level knowledge and skills to establish a firm foundation in trauma nursing. The course provides learners with cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills that can be incorporated into their everyday practice. The TNCC is comprised of e-learning modules and two days of lectures and skills simulation. 

Target group 

All nurses involved in the care and management of trauma patients. 

Registration fee 

$525 (the payment is due once your registration is confirmed) 

Location 

MUHC-i-SIM Centre  
5100, boul. de Maisonneuve W., 4th floor  
Montréal (Québec) H4A 3T2  

(On request, this course can be provided in your establishment.)  

Course dates 

This course is normally offered twice per year: once in the spring and once in the fall. 

Learn more about the Trauma and Disaster Team Response© course. 

Learn more about The Simulated Trauma and Resuscitation Team Training (S.T.A.R.T.T.) course.

Learn more about the Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma (ASSET) course.