Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), now in its 9th
edition, is recognized around the world as the leading
continuing education program for prehospital emergency
trauma care. The mission of PHTLS is to promote excellence
in trauma patient management by all providers involved
in the delivery of prehospital care. PHTLS is developed
by NAEMT in cooperation with the American College of
Surgeons Committee on Trauma, which provides medical
direction and content oversight.
PHTLS courses improve the quality of trauma care and
decrease mortality. The program is based on a philosophy
stressing the treatment of the multi-system trauma patient as
a unique entity with specific needs. PHTLS promotes critical
thinking as the foundation for providing quality care. The
course utilizes the internationally recognized PHTLS textbook.
