Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) International

Becoming a Training Centre

The first BTLS course was developed in 1982 by John E. Campbell, MD, FACEP, of the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. The course was based on the need for a quality, skill-oriented, continuing education program for emergency medical services (EMS) providers. Since its inception, BTLS has undergone tremendous growth and has become the internationally accepted standard education program for pre-hospital trauma care. BTLS has expanded beyond its initial course and now offers several types of educational programs: BTLS Basic - Designed for the EMT-Basic and First Responder, this hands-on training course offers basic EMS providers complete training in the skills necessary for rapid assessment, resuscitation, stabilization and transportation of the trauma patient. The course provides education in the initial evaluation and stabilization of the trauma patient. BTLS Advanced - This comprehensive course covers the skills necessary for rapid assessment, resuscitation, stabilization, and transportation of the trauma patient for advanced EMT, paramedic and trauma nurse. The course teaches the correct sequence of evaluation and the techniques of critical intervention, resuscitation and packaging a patient. BTLS Access - This course provides EMS crews and first responders with training to utilize the tools commonly carried on an ambulance or first responder unit to reach entrapped patients and begin stabilization and extrication. Pediatric BTLS - Pediatric BTLS concentrates on the care of injured children. The course is designed to train EMS and nursing personnel in the proper assessment, stabilization,
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and packaging of a pediatric trauma patient. The course covers communication techniques with pediatric patients and parents. BTLS Instructor Courses - Instructor courses are offered for both BTLS Advanced and BTLS Basic courses. Other methods of achieving instructor status are used for Pediatric BTLS and BTLS Access courses. To become an instructor, students must have successfully completed the provider level course and meet other chapter requirements. I. BTLS Structure BTLS International is a United States not-for-profit corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service code. The BTLS International headquarters is located in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. BTLS International is governed by a Board of Directors. Board members are elected at the organizations annual meeting held in conjunction with the BTLS International Trauma Conference. Board members are elected for rotating terms of three years. Each BTLS chapter is allocated a number of delegates eligible to vote based on the number of BTLS students trained in their chapter. II. Relationship to ACEP The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) recognizes the importance of quality pre-hospital care and is dedicated to a leadership role in improving the standards and training of EMS providers. EMS providers, emergency nurses, and emergency physicians are members of the same team. If EMS providers are well trained and receive quality medical direction, the patients for whom they care will likely have a better chance of recovery. No group is in a better position to understand the needs and circumstances of EMS providers than the emergency physicians with whom they work. BTLS is endorsed and supported in its educational efforts by National ACEP and individual ACEP chapters. National ACEP maintains a close liaison with BTLS International has an appointed seat to the Board of Directors. Many chapters of ACEP serve as BTLS chapters and directly oversee the teaching of certified BTLS courses within their respective states. III. International Conference Each year BTLS conducts its International Trauma Conference which includes the annual meeting of the organization. During the conference, trauma educational programs are offered in
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addition to the business sessions. Opportunity is provided to review the instructional materials, review the results of the teaching of BTLS internationally, receive committee reports, and gain general consensus regarding specific items taught within the program. The BTLS Congress is composed of voting delegates of the BTLS chapters. The delegates elect the organizations Board of Directors and deliberate other issues. BTLS training centre representatives are invited to attend the Congress, but do not have voting status. IV. BTLS Training Centres Designation as a BTLS training centre is available to organizations that do not fulfill the qualifications for becoming a BTLS chapter. These are usually intended for EMS agencies who solely wish to train their own personnel in BTLS. A. Description of Purpose The centre applicant must describe how it will fulfill its role in providing BTLS programs for its personnel B. Statement of Responsibility to BTLS International The centre applicant must indicate its commitment to uphold the standards established by BTLS International in conducting BTLS courses for its personnel. C. Key BTLS Personnel at the Centre The BTLS Centre Coordinator is a BTLS Instructor responsible for the overall performance, success and administration of the centres role in conducting BTLS courses. The coordinator is the key contact person for BTLS International. The BTLS Centre Medical Director is a licensed physician within the geographic area serviced by the centre who is responsible for BTLS course compliance and quality according to BTLS International standards. The centre may elect to have additional personnel responsible for BTLS activities within the organization, such as, administrative staff or marketing personnel. V. BTLS Centre Responsibilities The BTLS Training Centre is responsible for the following activities: Promoting and conducting BTLS courses in accordance with the standards established by BTLS International within the centres assigned area.

Providing a reliable source for BTLS programs in an area where a BTLS chapter does not exist. Establishing and maintaining an inventory of qualified BTLS instructors to adequately meet the demands of the centres BTLS programs. Establishing a BTLS instructor development process that includes instructor courses, updates and renewals as needed Providing the facilities, faculty, equipment and BTLS materials needed to conduct BTLS courses according to BTLS International standards Collecting and maintaining data on BTLS courses and student performance Providing BTLS International with the appropriate reports and student fees

VI.

BTLS International Responsibilities

The following is a list of ongoing activities and services that BTLS International provides Training Centres. Disseminating current information regarding changes in protocols, changes in BTLS teaching materials, and updates in revision to BTLS International policies and procedures Providing resources to assist in developing BTLS programs Providing quality assurance at an international level by enforcing the guidelines and standards recommended by the BTLS International Board of Directors and committees Review for consideration, new methodologies and non-standard program formats for the delivery of BTLS by centres in areas with limit resources or within specialized environments. Distributing BTLS instructional materials Distributing BTLS certification cards and certificates Maintaining course roster and related student fees data VII. A. Facilities
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Educational Resources at the Centre

The applicant must describe the facilities where BTLS courses will be conducted. The description should include whether the facilities are at a fixed location, satellites or located based on demand. It should also include a description of the space available for didactic and practical sessions and how the overall environment is conducive to learning BTLS. B. Presentation Equipment The applicant must briefly describe the audio visual equipment at the centre, or available to BTLS instructors associated with the centre. C. Training Equipment The applicant should describe the practical skills equipment needed to adequately conduct the BTLS programs, including both adult and pediatric when available. VIII. BTLS Faculty Resources A. Instructor Development The centre is responsible for establishing and maintaining a pool of qualified BTLS instructors. To ensure an adequate number of qualified instructors exist, the centre will monitor the demands for BTLS in its area and conduct instructor courses as needed. The centre will also be responsible for conducting instructor updates, refresher courses and renewal of certification to instruct. B. Instructor Materials Each instructor will be provided a current BTLS Instructor guide with updates provided by the centre as they become available from BTLS International. Other instructor materials are provided by the centre to course faculty when preparing for and conducting a provider course. C. Instructor Updates/Refresher The centre will conduct instructor updates when notified by BTLS International of changes to the curriculum, new editions of the textbook, new course products or revisions in treatment protocols. The centre will regularly communicate with its BTLS instructors to keep them apprised of BTLS related activities within the centre. Instructor refresher courses will be held. D. Instructor Reciprocity The applicant should describe the centres process to review and accept a BTLS Instructor certified in a BTLS Chapter or different centre. For example: An instructor coming into the centre must submit a copy of his/her instructor card and a letter from their chapter indicating their instructor status. The Centre Coordinator and Medical Director will approve or disapprove. IX. Administrative Responsibilities

A. Recordkeeping The centre should maintain a database of all BTLS courses conducted within its geographic
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area. These records will include: Course dates, location and type Instructor names Student names Student performance

B. Course Reporting to BTLS International The centre will submit quarterly reports to BTLS International on each course held through the centre. Following each course, the centre will complete the course reporting information. Forms to be submitted are: Course Roster Course Tally Sheet

C. Maintaining and Distributing BTLS Cards The centre will be issued BTLS cards for distribution to students who have successfully completed a BTLS Provider or Instructor course. The centre is responsible for ordering, maintaining and distributing cards to students. BTLS International tracks card distribution and holds the centre accountable for those issued. D. International Fees The Centre is responsible for submitting to BTLS International fees for each student completing a BTLS program. The fee will be submitted along with a course roster on a quarterly basis. BTLS International holds the Centre accountable for student fees for all BTLS courses held within its geographic area. BTLS International Fee Schedule: BTLS Course Basic or Advanced Provider Course Basic or Advanced Instructor Course Pediatric Course Access Course Per Student Fee $ 8.00 $ 8.00

$ 8.00 $ 8.00

X. Conducting a BTLS Course A. Standard Course Format The Centre is responsible for conducting BTLS programs according to the standards established by BTLS International. The BTLS Coordinator and Instructor Guide is the resource the Centre will consult when coordinating and conducting BTLS programs. Each course will have an assigned course coordinator and course medical director as described in the guide. The centre will adopt any changes made to course requirements as established by BTLS International from time to time.

B. Non-Standard Course Format If the Course Centre intends to conduct BTLS programs utilizing a non-standard course format due to limited resources, unique environmental factors or possibly cultural differences, BTLS International must first approve.

For additional information, contact: BTLS International 1 S 280 Summit Ave, Court B-2 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 800-495-BTLS or 630-495-6442 630-495-6402 FAX www.btls.org

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