PHTLS--basic and advanced prehospital trauma life support - National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians

The PREHOSPITAL TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT (PHTLS) course is a unique continuing education program created from the real need in EMS education for additional training in the handling of trauma patients. The course and the book, PREHOSPITAL TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT, educate EMS personnel to identify, stabilize, treat, and transport trauma patients with the highest level of care. Prehospital patients who are stabilized and then quickly transported to an appropriate medical facility have the best chance of survival. Identifying the mechanism of injury, interpreting signs and symptoms, understanding pathophysiology, recognizing life-threatening injuries, and honing assessment skills all help the EMT to identify a trauma patient with multiple injuries and perform appropriate interventions. PHTLS treats the trauma patient as a special entity, with needs that differ from those of other patients.