With January 1, 2025, fast approaching, we want to share crucial information about the transition to AIS15 with Trauma Program teams. As those who’ve been through several AIS updates, we want to share what we’ve learned to help make your transition smoother.
Why A New AIS Update?
We recently spoke with Kathy Cookman from AAAM, who explained the reasoning behind this update. She shared key drivers:
Adapting to Changes
“Over the years, the AIS Dictionary has released multiple versions due to the changes in medical practice, increased interest in specific injury areas either by medical sub-specialists or by road crash injury investigators, different needs in different countries, changes in the hospital-based descriptor, etc..”
Improved Injury Descriptors
This update also focuses on improving injury descriptors based on community feedback:
“This version helps to continue to refine the injury descriptors so that they are capable of describing the threat to life as well as impairment and functional capacity. The feedback and questions from the user community are valuable with respect to coding issues in various sections of the dictionary, hence incorporating better rules, guidelines, etc.
“ There is more specificity to provide the level of detail needed to help researchers/engineers focused on injury prevention technologies, which often leads to system design changes.”
Better Compatibility
Finally, there’s an emphasis on broader compatibility and reliability:
“[The update includes] enhancement for coding of military combat injuries, comparability with other existing or proposed injury scoring systems, including the Organ Injury Scale…The update continues to recognize the differences between AIS and ICD while facilitating intercoder reliability through comprehensive rules and guidelines, both within the dictionary and during AIS training.”
Have more questions? Check out AAAM’s FAQ page.
Should Our Trauma Center Update to AIS15?
The short answer is, yes. The ACS requires all ACS-verified trauma centers to implement AIS15 effective for patients admitted beginning January 1, 2025.
Your AIS15 Action Plan
1. Is Your Trauma Registry Software Ready?
First priority: Contact your registry vendor. Key questions to ask:
- When will your system be AIS15 compatible?
- What are the costs involved?
Note for users of the NQS trauma platform:
- AIS15 compatible at launch
- No additional charges for AIS15
2. Is Your Trauma Registrar Team Ready?
Consider your team’s current certification status:
Does staff have prior AIS training?
Staff with prior AIS08 training only need the AIS15 Update Course.
Otherwise, staff will need the full AIS15 Course.
On-site training or virtual online courses?
On-site is intensive, collaborative learning. The virtual online courses are a flexible, self-paced option.
We recommend on-site training.
‘AIS15 Update’ Online Course Availability
| Date* | Time | Availability |
| October 1-31 | On-Demand | Registration closed |
| November 1-30 | On-Demand | Registration closed |
| December 1-31 | On-Demand | Registration closed |
| Jan-Mar 2025 AIS course schedule will be available for registration by Dec. 15, 2024 | ||
* Visit AAAM’s official page for the latest info.
Full AIS15 Online Course Availability
| Date | Time | Availability |
| October 1-31 | On-Demand | Registration closed |
| November 1-30 | On-Demand | Registration closed |
| December 1-31 | On-Demand | Registration closed |
| Jan-Mar 2025 AIS course schedule will be available for registration by Dec. 15, 2024 | ||
* Dates are subject to change. Visit AAAM’s official page for the latest info.
Unable to find an available course?
Consider hosting an AIS15 course at your facility.
Due to high demand for training, AAAM is encouraging centers to work together with local, regional, and state colleagues to host AIS15 training at a venue in your area. Consider partnering with nearby trauma centers to maximize attendance.
“From a scheduling standpoint, this will allow us to train more people than what is available via a virtual platform. If you do not have 50 people in your local, region, or state, then we can work with you to include surrounding areas and invite them to be a part of the training as well.”
3. Next Steps
- Download our AIS15 transition checklist below
- Schedule vendor discussions
- Plan your team’s training
We’ve gathered all of this information and links into an easy-to-use checklist for your team. Add your email below and you’ll get the one page pdf sent to you immediately.
Don’t wait!
