About / History

Basic Trauma Life Support was initiated in 1986 in the state of Tennessee with the help of the Tennessee Chapter of American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), and the Tennessee Department of Public Health, division of Emergency Medical Services.  The realization of the need to improve training for those individuals that are involved in all aspects of emergency patient management to enhance patient care, decrease pre-hospital and in-hospital morbidity from trauma and cardiac related problems, improve overall communication between members of the emergency health care community.

Tennessee’s ACEP, EMS, and numerous others dedication to this caused led to the introduction of the Basic Trauma Life Support course.  The BTLS course is designed to teach physicians, paramedics, flight nurses, emergency nurses, physician assistants, basic EMT’s and First Responders a systematic and orderly approach to treating the trauma patient.

Tennessee chapter of BTLS provides support for the organization and instruction of BTLS courses within the State.  Tennessee BTLS is also actively involved in developing the Tennessee network and upgrading and ensuring standardization of the instructional programs.

The overall goal of Tennessee BTLS is to improve patient care through the education of emergency health care providers.  The primary goal is to support the development and management of a centralized BTLS program that will provide a mechanism by which to build and extend BTLS training throughout the State.

The responsibilities of Tennessee BTLS include developing a system of education and a mechanism for conducting, approving and certifying BTLS courses;  establishing and ensuring standardization of instruction and certification; distributing course materials, and collecting assessment fees, as well as assisting local organizations in conducting courses within their own areas.

 

 

© 2006 ITLS-Tennessee
P.O. Box 621
Seymour, TN 37865
866-ITLSTN1
(485-7861)
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