Amazon.com description: Product Description: 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.

Provides the most current information available through revised and updated chapters which adhere to the new 1998 ATLS guidelines. Features comprehensive coverage for both basic and advanced level training. Emphasizes the foundation of trauma care, specifically understanding the mechanism of injury. Includes in-depth coverage of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, assessment and management of trauma to key body systems and regions. Covers special patient populations, including pediatrics, geriatrics and pregnant patients, to refresh the EMT regarding the importance of understanding the differences in physiology and presentation in these special populations. Contains an entire chapter devoted to trauma care in the military, because prehospital care in military situations is indisputably different than most civilian trauma situations. Promotes clear, practical understanding of the proper procedures for airway and spine skills with separate chapters that outline techniques and procedures with photos alongside text in a step-by-step format. Includes chapter objectives, summary, and review questions to help the student self-assess and pick out key points from the material. Includes case scenarios and conclusions to promote critical thinking and allow the student to see real application of the concepts discussed in each chapter. Provides a comprehensive glossary and bibliography to direct the reader when further study on a particular topic is desired. Incorporates more than 300 full-color illustrations, many updated and enlarged from previous edition, to aid in visual learning, comprehension of material, explanation of difficult concepts, and keep reader's interest.