Description

This book of “Critical Care Emergency Medicine” is the youngest medical specialty, but its scope and position in the health care system has allowed it to play a critical role in the early management of disaster victims. This book reviews how EM providers are prepared to meet the challenge through education, drills, and experience. It reviews the strengths and limitations of emergency departments (EDs) and the steps that should be taken when a mass casualty incident (MCI) occurs. The ED must be prepared by its design, policies, and disaster plan to be able to respond immediately before the arrival of victims to ensure the best possible outcome in patient management are of major importance. Emergency medicine and critical care are collectively defined as the care provided to patients with acute illnesses or injuries that require immediate medical attention and the intermediate follow-up care provided after the emergency has passed. These terms often do not signify providing long-term or continuing care, but include the diagnosis of a variety of illnesses and the undertaking of acute interventions to stabilize the patient prior to the transition to long-term care.