Stop Using Pigs in Trauma Trainings

FROM  Farm Sanctuary

ACTION

Tell University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to stop using pigs in trauma training procedures.

Sign an online petition

And/or make direct contact:

UPMC Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer Marshall Webster, M.D.
200 Lothrop Street Forbes
Tower Suite 10072
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582
Leave a message for Dr. Webster at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762)

INFORMATION / TALKING POINTS

Despite the fact that 95 percent of medical centers have moved to human-based training methods, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) continues to use live pigs in their Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) courses. ATLS courses teach medical professionals methods for responding to acute trauma injuries. Many of these training procedures are invasive, causing suffering when performed on live animals.

At Farm Sanctuary, we know that pigs are sensitive, social animals who don’t deserve to be subjected to these cruel and unnecessary procedures. The American College of Surgeons has already approved several non-animal training procedures for these courses, including a human-based simulator called TraumaMan. It’s time that UPMC gets on board with these advancements and stops using pigs in ATLS courses!

SAMPLE LETTER

I am writing to ask that you immediately end the use of live pigs in the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's (UPMC) Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course. Subjecting animals to ATLS training procedures is not only cruel, but it is also an unnecessary and outdated practice.

The American College of Surgeons has already approved the use of simulators, like Simulab's TraumaMan System, for use in ATLS courses. In fact, UPMC remains among only five percent of U.S. institutions - and the only one of the 12 ATLS courses offered in Pennsylvania - still using live animals.

Pigs are sensitive, social animals who should be spared from this needless suffering. With approved alternatives available, there is no justification for continuing the use of live animals in ATLS training. Please make the compassionate choice and end this cruel and unnecessary practice now!

Thank you for everything you do for animals!