Hamilton Health Sciences supports two regional trauma centres, the Hamilton General Hospital for adult and pediatric trauma care, and McMaster Children’s Hospital for pediatric trauma care (15 years of age and under).
As tertiary trauma centres, the trauma program assumes a leadership role in the development, evaluation and continuous quality improvement of care for the Central South region. The trauma program is committed to evidence-based, patient-centred care; trauma-related education and research; and injury prevention.
The program collects and analyzes internal, regional and provincial data to report, monitor and optimize patient care and system development.
Care we provide
- Trauma resuscitation
- Trauma surgery
- Trauma follow-up clinic
- Trauma registry
Resources
ATLS®
The American College of Surgeons (ACS), Committee on Trauma has developed the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) course for doctors and other qualified heath care professionals. The course offers a systemic approach to the early and immediate management of patients with traumatic injuries.
ACS – Trauma Education: About Advanced Trauma Life Support
The 2 Day and 1.5 Day provider course is open to Physicians, Physicians Assistance, and Nurse Practitioners. At this time, HHS is not offering auditing option of the ATLS® course for other providers.
To qualify for the 1 Day recertification course you must have been certified within the last 4 years, and you can complete the course up to 180 days (6 months) after certification has expired.
This course will take place at the Hamilton General Hospital, 237 Barton St. E, Hamilton
Learning objectives – ATLS® prover course:
Participants will learn to identify injuries associated with major trauma, management of skills required for early resuscitation, and treatment of injured patients.
The ATLS© course provides its participants with a safe and reliable method for the immediate treatment of injured patients and the basic knowledge necessary to:
- Assess a patient’s condition rapidly and accurately.
- Resuscitate and stabilize patients according to priority.
- Determine whether a patient’s needs exceed a facility’s resources and/or a doctor’s capabilities.
- Arrange appropriately for a patient’s inter-hospital or intra-hospital transfer (what, who, when, and how).
- Ensure that optimal care provided and level of care does not deteriorate at any point during the evaluation, resuscitation, or transfer processes.
Please visit this link for more information on the Trauma Guidelines for ATLS® Course Directors and Participants due to COVID-19
2023 course dates and description:
August 17/18 – 1.5-day hybrid provider course
Sept 9 – 1 day recertification provider course
Sept 22/23 – 2-day in-person provider course (offered in Collingwood)
Oct 20/21 – 1.5-day hybrid provider course
Nov 30/Dec 1 – 1.5-day hybrid provider course
Visit this link to register for the above dates: www.hamiltonhealth.ca/ATLS
View the HHS ATLS Poster 2023
For general inquires please contact ATLS@HHSC.ca. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response.
Conferences
Focus on Trauma Conferences
Since its inception in 2003, Hamilton Health Sciences, Focus on Trauma Conference has been dedicated to providing the staff of HHS and community partners, an opportunity to attend an educational event which is of a high caliber, relevant and reasonably-priced.
This year’s event will be held on September 28th, 2023 at Winona Vine Estates. The program includes topics such as Blunt Cerebrovascular Injuries, Building pathways between trauma and the Indigenous communities, Updated Burn Guidelines, Drug Addiction & Management, and the Diamond of Death. Our keynote speaker this year is Mark Black who will be speaking about his experience and challenges as a double lung transplant patient.
Link to the conference registration page.
Registration closes September 22, 2023 or when conference is full