Regional Trauma Program

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

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:

April 27/28 – 1.5-day hybrid provider course

July 13/14 – 1.5-day hybrid provider course

Sept 9 – 1 day recertification provider course

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

To register for June 11/12 at the Center for Simulation please use link below

June 11/12 – 1.5-day hybrid provider course

This course is offered in conjunction of with the Center for Simulation Based Learning at McMaster University, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Visit this link to Register: https://www.xcdsystem.com/mcmasterchse/attendee/index.cfm?ID=YxUthUZ

View the ATLS 2023 Poster

For general inquires please contact ATLS@HHSC.ca. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response.