What is ITLS

In 1982 International Trauma Life Support was had it’s roots in a local course taught by Dr. John Campbell to EMS personel in South East Alabama. In an effort to improve trauma care Dr. Campbell took the principles of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course and adapted the concepts of assessment, intervention and when to “load and go”. The original course was known as “Basic Trauma Life Support” (BTLS). Upon planting the seed, Alabama became the first chapter of this not-for-profit organization that has since grown to having a presence in 50 countries supported by 99 chapters.  In 2005 “BTLS” changed it’s name to “International Trauma Life Support” (ITLS) to reflect its “global role and inpact” of it’s training programs. 

The ITLS curriculum is developed on current evidence of trauma care with a focus on the following principles, 

  • rapid assessment
  • appropriate intervention
    • Identification of immediate life threats.

The traditional ITLS course is a combination of didactic lecture, hands on skills and trauma scenario practice

From it’s roots in 1982, ITLS has grown to a trauma course that fits your needs. ITLS courses are available for basic first responders/first aid providers to military trauma providers.

  • Duty to Respond
  • Basic Provider
  • Advanced Provider
  • eTrauma
  • ITLS Completer
  • ITLS Refresher
  • ITLS Access
  • Pediatric ITLS
  • ITLS High Threat
  • ITLS Instructor

ITLS is an approved provider by Commission on Accreditation of Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) [formerly CECBEMS] and all ITLS courses are CAPCE certified.

TRAUMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA

Who is TEAA

The Trauma Education Association of Alberta is a non-profit organization that runs and manges the Alberta Chapter of ITLS. The goal of the Alberta ITLS chapter is as follows;

“Make available high quality prehospital trauma training programs in Alberta; To improve patient outcomes and reduce prehospital fatalities in Alberta”

ITLS Alberta is run by a board of directors.

  • Tony Connelly – President
  • Peter Symons – Vice President
  • Dr. Bob White – Secretary Treasurer
  • Dr. Elsabe Nel – Medical Director
  • Bruce Patterson – Member at Large
  • Jim Avey – Member at Large
  • Katie Smith – Chapter Administrator
Picture of the bulk of the TEAA board, Peter, Bruce, Dr.Bob, Donna, Tony, Jim
L-R; Peter, Bruce, Dr. Bob, Donna, Tony, Jim. Missing, Dr. Elsabe and Katie.

Alberta ITLS Board of Directors are responsible for the oversight of ITLS programs conduted in Alberta. The Chapter does this by developing local policies and procedures that ensure quality in the delivery of ITLS courses.  . These P&P’s follow guidelines from the ITLS international head office. The board also sets and collects the course fees per student and distributes it to ITLS and the local chapter.

Each year ITLS holds an international trauma conference and business meeting. The business meeting is where the international officers are elected. TEAA selects who will represent Alberta ITLS at the business meeting