July 23, 2020

ATCN Alternative Course Options in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear ATCN Course Directors and Coordinators,

The ATCN Committee recognizes the complexity and uncertainty regarding planning and
scheduling ATCN courses while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this
communication is to provide guidance regarding acceptable alternative course options. The
current environment provides a golden opportunity to think outside the box so that we can
continue to provide an exceptional learning experience for ATCN participants.
The overarching requirement must remain that all students complete the required ATLS
material in addition to all 6 ATCN skill stations. Once completed, all students must then
successfully complete the ATCN Skills Test and Written test. Any options not covered by this
guideline would require written approval from the ATCN Committee Chair or Co-Chair.

Course Options
1. Traditional Course
a. Some sites may have adequate classroom space to run the course “as is” while still meeting
local/institutional social distancing and infection control requirements.
b. Alternatively, some sites may choose to run the course in the traditional fashion but with a
reduced class size
c. Another option, once the interactive presentations have been attended by all, could then split
the group into two groups and complete the skills stations at different times. This would
obviously require more time and faculty but would take advantage of the less frequently
available ATLS presentations.
2. Live Video Conferencing
a. This format is already described in the Policy & Procedure manual, but for purposes of social
distancing, a course site may choose to separate students into separate classrooms that would
have video conferencing linking them to the ATLS instructor for the didactic portion of the
course.
b. Skill stations and testing would still be completed in person, with size of groups customized to
meet institutional requirements for social distancing and infection control.
3. ATCN Hybrid Course
a. ATLS now offers a hybrid course format, referred to as mATLS, in which students complete the
didactic portion of the course through online modules. After completion of the online modules,
the students then complete the skills portion of the course in person, with an ATLS Faculty.
 b. For this option, ATCN students would be given access to the ATLS modules and required to
complete them along with the Pretest within a specified amount of time before the scheduled
day for skills stations.
c. All six stations could be completed, along with testing in one day. To comply with social
distancing, the class could be divided into 2 groups so ½ would complete on one day, and then
the other ½ complete on the next day. Or if the course site has adequate space to
accommodate a full class, then the full class could be completed on the same day.
d. Alternatively, skill stations could be completed on one day and testing on another day.
e. This option is currently not available but is being piloted by 5 course sites across the U.S. We
hope to have all pilot courses completed by the end of October and will provide further
guidance regarding the ATCN Hybrid Course shortly after they are all completed. We appreciate
everyone’s patience as we work with the American College of Surgeons to make this course a
reality.
4. ATCN Stand Alone Course
a. This course would run independently from an ATLS course.
b. In order for this option to work, course site would need one or more ATLS Faculty members
willing to give the interactive presentations to the ATCN students.
c. The course would run the same as a traditional course, there just would not be any ATLS
students
5. ATCN Update Course
a. This is a great option that should be strongly considered by Course Directors for students
needing to renew their ATCN status. This course is already described in the policy and
procedure manual.

Infection Control and Social Distancing

All course sites are strongly encouraged to require faculty and students to wear masks, gloves and
have a plan for facilitating social distancing throughout the course. Each course site must follow
the infection control policies of the host institution and incorporate those policies into the course
planning and administration. To reduce the amount of people in the classroom, the ATCN
Committee encourages and supports the use of mannequins in lieu of live moulaged victims.
Please contact your Regional Director for any questions not covered by these guidelines. These
guidelines will be updated following the completion of the Hybrid Pilot Courses or sooner if
necessary.