1) Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability, costing over $400 billion annually in the US. 2) Trauma care involves several phases from pre-hospital care through rehabilitation. Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) provides guidelines for a systematic approach. 3) ATLS emphasizes assessing and stabilizing the airway, breathing, and circulation during the primary survey to identify life-threatening injuries. Additional diagnostics and surgery may then be required.

1. Introduction to Trauma Richard W. Stair, MD, FACEP