AMPATH Surgery

We're delighted to share that as result of AMPATH surgery's partnership and efforts, the first Advanced Trauma Life Support course was held in Eldoret! 

AMPATH and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital recently partnered with the Surgical Society of Kenya to conduct the first Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course in Eldoret to train healthcare providers on the fundamentals of initial assessment and treatment of trauma patients. Sixteen MTRH doctors participated in the course, including consultants, registrars, and medical officers working in general surgery, orthopedic surgery, the casualty department, and OB/GYN. For these doctors, who are often the first to see patients after they arrive at MTRH following a traumatic injury, the knowledge and skills obtained in this course are invaluable.

The three-day ATLS course is the gold standard for trauma care worldwide and took place over July 18-20, 2018. In addition to didactic lessons, ATLS students participate in hands-on training stations where they learned essential skills, from interpreting radiologic findings to performing several life-saving surgical procedures. On the final day, students must pass a written exam and are given a realistic patient scenario, using live simulated patients. There, they must demonstrate the ability to proficiently assess the patient, intervene on any life-threatening injuries, stabilize the patient, and ensure they are directed to definitive treatment.ATLS students practice trauma response skills at stations.

The ATLS course, developed by the American College of Surgeons, was brought to Kenya five years ago through a partnership between the Surgical Society of Kenya and the Kenyan Red Cross Society, with assistance from trauma surgery faculty at Indiana University. Since that time, courses have been held several times a year in Nairobi, under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Ojuka, Country Course Director for Kenya.

This course represents the first official ATLS course in Kenya taught outside of Nairobi. It was made possible through the vision and efforts of Dr. Connie Keung, AMPATH surgical team leader, and Dr. Seno Saruni, a surgeon at MTRH and ATLS Instructor. As they did five years ago in Nairobi, Dr. Clark Simons and Dr. Michelle Laughlin led a team from Indiana University to help conduct the course.