Effect of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Program on Nurse\'s Performance in Simulated Trauma Model

Abstract

Introduction: Since appropriate and initial methods in trauma care have a crucial role in patients outcome, we evaluated the effect of advanced trauma life support (ATLS) program on nurses’ performance in ER in a simulated model. Methods: A descriptive and analytical study before and after training as conducted in 30 ER nurses in shahid  Madani Hospital, Karaj, Iran in (oct, 2016) on the first day, we assessed for nurses’ clinical Knowledge and practical skill performance in confronting a simulated trauma patient. After two days of ATLS training we performed the same study and evaluated their performance again on the fourth day. findings of the above evaluations pre and post ATLS training program were compared by spss  software (version 15) and the p values significant. Results: The findings have shown that the ER nurses’ ability in all three tasks improved notably after the training course. On the fourth day fallowed by training, there was a statically significant increase in ER nurses’ knowledge of ATLS methods, the sequence of procedures and skill performance In trauma-facing situation ( p<0.001, p=0.016  and p=0.01 ).  Conclusion: ATLS course has a crucial role in increasing clinical knowledge and practical skills on trauma care in ER nurses.

Keywords

• Advanced Trauma Life Support
• Trauma
• Practical skills