Inauguration of Advanced Trauma Life Support course hosted by Kolkata hospital
Times of India | 7 May 2024
KOLKATA: A medical institute in Kolkata hosted the inaugural session of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course. Conducted under the banner of the American College of Surgeons, the course aims at equipping healthcare professionals with essential skills on managing polytrauma victims, particularly during the critical ‘Golden Hour’ following injury.
"We are proud to be the first hospital in Eastern India to host this course, joining 33 other centres across the country. This program is important as it equips physicians with the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver critical care to trauma patients. Through the ATLS course, doctors acquire vital insights and abilities to promptly identify and address life-threatening injuries amidst the intense pressures in trauma care environment,” said Dr Anirban Chatterjee, senior consultant, Hand & Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon at Medica Institute of Orthopaedic Sciences, who is also the In-house ATLS Instructor.
Developed out of the personal tragedy experienced by orthopaedic surgeon Dr James Styner in 1980, the ATLS program has gained global recognition as a pivotal method for training frontline providers in trauma patient care. ,
R. Udayan Lahiry, Managing Director, Medica Group of Hospitals, stated, “Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability all over the world. Trauma management can be improved by implementing a trauma care system that includes injury prevention, education, pre-hospital care, transportation, hospital care, and rehabilitation. If properly implemented, trauma system can reduce mortality by at least 10-15%.”
External faculty members from other cities were part of the two-day inaugural program in Kolkata that included Dr MC Mishra, ATLS Chair and Program Director of ATLS India, Dr Vinod Jain, Head Surgical Sciences, Neera Hospital, Lucknow, National Course Director ATLS India, Dr Amita Ray, Obstetrics & Gynecology head, MMC Medical College, Bihar and ATLS Senior Instructor, ATLS Educator India; and Dr (Brig.) Sanil Mohan, anaesthesiology head at Command Hospital (Eastern Command), Kolkata.
"Approximately 40 million people suffer permanent injuries each year, while up to 100 million experience temporary injuries. According to recent analysis conducted in Indian hospitals 58% of trauma-related deaths could have been prevented. Against this backdrop, the significance of the ATLS course is unparalleled, and it is imperative for all hospitals to establish trauma care teams to enhance patient outcomes,” said Ayanabh Debgupta, Jt. Managing Director of the hospital group.