Unsupported Browser
The American College of Surgeons website is not compatible with Internet Explorer 11, IE 11. For the best experience please update your browser.
Close
Member ID
Become a Member
Open Search
Menu
ACS Home
My Dashboard
Donate to the foundation
About Us
Advocacy & Policy
Quality Programs
For Medical Professionals
For Patients
Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits

Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

Become a Member
ACS Home
My Dashboard
Donate to the foundation
Quality Programs
For Medical Professionals
For Patients
Advocacy & Policy
About Us
Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits

Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

Membership Benefits
Popular searches
Frequent searches
ACS
TRAUMA EDUCATION

Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma

One day of learning could save a life

Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma

For Hands-on Learning, Skills, and Confidence

Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma (ASSET™) begins by providing a manual prior to the course that overviews key surgical exposures in five anatomic areas: neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis, and upper and lower extremities. Then, the one-day cadaver-based course follows with hands-on exposure performed by students. Low student-to-faculty ratio allows extensive faculty guidance.

View Courses

FAQs

How do I bring the ASSET course to my site?

Review the requirements below, and contact traumaeducation@facs.org if your site meets them. The first course will require an evaluation by national faculty and final approval by the program director, so please contact our office before scheduling your first course.

What are the requirements for hosting an ASSET course?
  • Access to fresh/fresh frozen cadavers (one [1] per every four [4] students) and institutional approval for use of cadavers for planned course
  • Cadaver lab that adheres to all applicable state, regional, and local regulations
  • Adequate equipment to support lab dissection and A/V equipment in lab to support lab slides and video
  • On-site coordinator for scheduling of students and resources, and to ensure completion of paperwork
  • A qualified ASSET course director and one qualified ASSET instructor (or instructor candidate) per cadaver

If your site meets these requirements, contact traumaeducation@facs.org for more information about the process for becoming a verified site.

How do I check my instructor status?

To check your instructor status, contact traumaeducation@facs.org.

How do I become an ASSET instructor?

Instructors must be a surgeon with experience in trauma surgery. Surgeons who are in a current trauma fellowship are eligible to become instructors, but residents are not.

Instructors must participate in and successfully complete an approved ASSET course as a student, and be identified as "Instructor Potential." Candidates must teach and be evaluated in an approved ASSET course as an instructor candidate within one year of being identified as Instructor Potential under the supervision of a qualified instructor/course director.

How can I purchase an ASSET manual?

If you register to take an ASSET course, the course site will provide you with a manual. However, if you are not registered to take a course, and are still interested in purchasing a manual, please visit the store.

How do I search and register for an ASSET course? What is the course fee?

Search for a course online, and contact the site coordinator about registration and costs associated with the course. Each course site determines the pricing of the course.

Who do I contact if I have not received my Certificate of Attendance or CME certificate?

If you have not received your ASSET CME certificate or Certificate of Attendance, contact traumaeducation@facs.org.

Course Objectives

Several ASSET courses will be offered this year in various locations throughout the country. Wherever you take it, ASSET will teach you to:

  • Demonstrate key anatomical exposures for the care of injured and acutely ill surgical patients
  • Show the technical ability to expose important structures that may require acute surgical intervention to save life or limb
  • Gain confidence in performing anatomic exposures independently

Contact Us

For any questions about the ASSET course, please contact us at traumaeducation@facs.org.

 

Continuing Medical Education Credit Information

Accreditation

The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

The American College of Surgeons designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Of the AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ listed above, a maximum of 8 credits meet the requirements for Self-Assessment.

Of the AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ listed above, a maximum of 8 hours meets the requirements for Pain Management.*

*The content of this activity may meet certain mandates of regulatory bodies. Please note that ACS has not and does not verify the content for such mandates with any regulatory body. Individual physicians are responsible for verifying the content satisfies such requirements. 

 

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Accreditation

Through an agreement between the American College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, MOC Program participants may record completed self-assessment programs or simulation activities developed and accredited by the American College of Surgeons in Section 3 of the Royal College's MOC Program.

Related Courses

Trauma Education

Advanced Trauma Operative Management

ATOM increases surgical competence and confidence by teaching proper operative techniques for penetrating injuries to the chest and abdomen.

Trauma Education

Rural Trauma Team Development Course

RTTDC aims to improve the quality of care in rural communities by developing a timely, organized, and systemic response to care of the trauma patient.
Trauma Education

Basic Endovascular Skills for Trauma

In the hands-on BEST course, participants learn endovascular techniques such as REBOA to temporize life-threatening hemorrhage.

Trauma Education

Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness

DMEP teaches planning methods, preparedness, and medical management of trauma patients in mass casualty disaster situations.

Trauma Education

Advanced Trauma Life Support

Offered in multiple countries, the ATLS course teaches a systematic, concise approach to the early care of the trauma patient.