ACS releases first trauma support app

CHICAGO – The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT) has developed a mobile app ready for use in the field that provides up-to-date content from the Advanced Trauma Life Support Program (ATLS). The committee has developed its first companion mobile app to accompany the release of the ninth edition of its Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Student Course Manual.

The ATLS mobile app further enhances the educational content and visual presentation of the printed version of its highly regarded ATLS manual. It is available for download at with the release of the manual, and can be continually updated by users. First responders do not need Internet access to use the app in the field. Emergency responders can also secure the ATLS app for purchase as a stand-alone product.

The app is designed to serve as both a bedside reference tool and supplemental educational resource. It is compatible with both iOS and Android, and consists of interactive algorithms, calculators, animations, Just in Time videos demonstrating key skills, and an interactive PDF version of the Student Manual.

Users of the ATLS app will also be able to download content from the ninth edition ATLS Student Course manual, which offers first responders emergency care information in areas such as heat injury, balanced resuscitation, the pelvis as a source of blood loss, advanced airway techniques for the difficult airway, and team training content for initial assessment of the injured patient. The course teaches a set of established treatment methods using a systematic and concise approach for the early care of trauma patients. ATLS has become a mainstay in the trauma care community through the work of the ACS COT, which establishes guidelines for the care of injured patients.