Emergency Medical Services for Children


Book Description

How can we meet the special needs of children for emergency medical services (EMS) when today's EMS systems are often unprepared for the challenge? This comprehensive overview of EMS for children (EMS-C) provides an answer by presenting a vision for tomorrow's EMS-C system and practical recommendations for attaining it. Drawing on many studies and examples, the volume explores why emergency care for childrenâ€"from infants through adolescentsâ€"must differ from that for adults and describes what seriously ill or injured children generally experience in today's EMS systems. The book points the way to integrating EMS-C into current emergency programs and into broader aspects of health care for children. It gives recommendations for ensuring access to emergency care through the 9-1-1 system; training health professionals, from paramedics to physicians; educating the public; providing proper equipment, protocols, and referral systems; improving communications among EMS-C providers; enhancing data resources and expanding research efforts; and stimulating and supporting leadership in EMS-C at the federal and state levels. For those already deeply involved in EMS efforts, this volume is a convenient, up-to-date, and comprehensive source of information and ideas. More importantly, for anyone interested in improving the emergency services available to childrenâ€"emergency care professionals from emergency medical technicians to nurses to physicians, hospital and EMS administrators, public officials, health educators, children's advocacy groups, concerned parents and other responsible adultsâ€"this timely volume provides a realistic plan for action to link EMS-C system components into a workable structure that will better serve all of the nation's children.




Crisis Standards of Care


Book Description

Catastrophic disasters occurring in 2011 in the United States and worldwide-from the tornado in Joplin, Missouri, to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, to the earthquake in New Zealand-have demonstrated that even prepared communities can be overwhelmed. In 2009, at the height of the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the Department of Health and Human Services, along with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to convene a committee of experts to develop national guidance for use by state and local public health officials and health-sector agencies and institutions in establishing and implementing standards of care that should apply in disaster situations-both naturally occurring and man-made-under conditions of scarce resources. Building on the work of phase one (which is described in IOM's 2009 letter report, Guidance for Establishing Crisis Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations), the committee developed detailed templates enumerating the functions and tasks of the key stakeholder groups involved in crisis standards of care (CSC) planning, implementation, and public engagement-state and local governments, emergency medical services (EMS), hospitals and acute care facilities, and out-of-hospital and alternate care systems. Crisis Standards of Care provides a framework for a systems approach to the development and implementation of CSC plans, and addresses the legal issues and the ethical, palliative care, and mental health issues that agencies and organizations at each level of a disaster response should address. Please note: this report is not intended to be a detailed guide to emergency preparedness or disaster response. What is described in this report is an extrapolation of existing incident management practices and principles. Crisis Standards of Care is a seven-volume set: Volume 1 provides an overview; Volume 2 pertains to state and local governments; Volume 3 pertains to emergency medical services; Volume 4 pertains to hospitals and acute care facilities; Volume 5 pertains to out-of-hospital care and alternate care systems; Volume 6 contains a public engagement toolkit; and Volume 7 contains appendixes with additional resources.




Emergency Medical Services


Book Description

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a critical component of our nation's emergency and trauma care system, providing response and medical transport to millions of sick and injured Americans each year. At its best, EMS is a crucial link to survival in the chain of care, but within the last several years, complex problems facing the emergency care system have emerged. Press coverage has highlighted instances of slow EMS response times, ambulance diversions, trauma center closures, and ground and air medical crashes. This heightened public awareness of problems that have been building over time has underscored the need for a review of the U.S. emergency care system. Emergency Medical Services provides the first comprehensive study on this topic. This new book examines the operational structure of EMS by presenting an in-depth analysis of the current organization, delivery, and financing of these types of services and systems. By addressing its strengths, limitations, and future challenges this book draws upon a range of concerns: • The evolving role of EMS as an integral component of the overall health care system. • EMS system planning, preparedness, and coordination at the federal, state, and local levels. • EMS funding and infrastructure investments. • EMS workforce trends and professional education. • EMS research priorities and funding. Emergency Medical Services is one of three books in the Future of Emergency Care series. This book will be of particular interest to emergency care providers, professional organizations, and policy makers looking to address the deficiencies in emergency care systems.




Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries


Book Description

Based on careful analysis of burden of disease and the costs ofinterventions, this second edition of 'Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries, 2nd edition' highlights achievable priorities; measures progresstoward providing efficient, equitable care; promotes cost-effectiveinterventions to targeted populations; and encourages integrated effortsto optimize health. Nearly 500 experts - scientists, epidemiologists, health economists,academicians, and public health practitioners - from around the worldcontributed to the data sources and methodologies, and identifiedchallenges and priorities, resulting in this integrated, comprehensivereference volume on the state of health in developing countries.




Leadership Essentials for Emergency Medical Services


Book Description

Leadership Essentials for Emergency Medical Services will aide in the development of leaders and leadership skills in the emergency medical services. This course will cover a variety of leadership topics, including making the transition from EMS provider to leader, the ethics and psychology of leadership, mentoring, leading change, and the leader's role in performance improvement. Part of the EMS Continuing Education series, the text is also ideal for use as a professional reference.




Hospital-Based Emergency Care


Book Description

Today our emergency care system faces an epidemic of crowded emergency departments, patients boarding in hallways waiting to be admitted, and daily ambulance diversions. Hospital-Based Emergency Care addresses the difficulty of balancing the roles of hospital-based emergency and trauma care, not simply urgent and lifesaving care, but also safety net care for uninsured patients, public health surveillance, disaster preparation, and adjunct care in the face of increasing patient volume and limited resources. This new book considers the multiple aspects to the emergency care system in the United States by exploring its strengths, limitations, and future challenges. The wide range of issues covered includes: • The role and impact of the emergency department within the larger hospital and health care system. • Patient flow and information technology. • Workforce issues across multiple disciplines. • Patient safety and the quality and efficiency of emergency care services. • Basic, clinical, and health services research relevant to emergency care. • Special challenges of emergency care in rural settings. Hospital-Based Emergency Care is one of three books in the Future of Emergency Care series. This book will be of particular interest to emergency care providers, professional organizations, and policy makers looking to address the deficiencies in emergency care systems.




Basic Emergency Care: Approach to the Acutely Ill and Injured


Book Description

Developed by WHO and the International Committee of the Red Cross in collaboration with the International Federation for Emergency Medicine Basic Emergency Care (BEC): Approach to the acutely ill and injured is an open-access training course for frontline healthcare providers who manage acute illness and injury with limited resources. BEC teaches a systematic approach to the initial assessment and management of time-sensitive conditions where early intervention saves lives. It includes modules on: the ABCDE and SAMPLE history approach trauma difficulty in breathing shock and altered mental status. The practical skills section covers the essential time-sensitive interventions for these key acute presentations. The BEC package includes a Participant Workbook and electronic slide decks for each module. BEC integrates the guidance from WHO Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment (ETAT) for children WHO Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children WHO Integrated Management of Pregnancy and Childbirth and the Integrated Management of Adult/Adolescent Illness (IMAI).




Public Health Emergencies


Book Description

"This is a clearly written, easy-to-read first edition on a necessary subject in an ever-changing world of disaster and humanitarian crisis...Not only theoretical, this book is also extremely practical and can be utilized by the various stakeholders involved in public health and emergency response. This book should sit on the shelf of every public health department and be made available for frontline workers and policymakers alike." --Doody's Review Service, 3 stars Public Health Emergencies provides a current overview of public health emergency preparedness and response principles with case studies highlighting lessons learned from recent natural and man-made disasters and emergencies. Designed for graduate and advanced undergraduate public health students, this book utilizes the 10 essential services of public health as performance standards and foundational competencies from the Council on Education for Public Health to assess public health systems. It emphasizes the roles and responsibilities of public health careers in state and local health departments as well as other institutions and clarifies their importance during health-related emergencies in the community. Written by prominent experts, including health professionals and leaders on the frontlines, this textbook provides the framework and lessons for understanding the public health implications of disasters, emergencies, and other catastrophic events, stressing applied understanding for students interested in pursuing public health preparedness roles. Practical in its approach, Part One begins with an introduction to the fundamentals of public health emergency preparedness with chapters on community readiness, all-hazards preparedness design, disaster risk assessments, and emergency operation plans. Part Two covers a range of public health emergency events, including hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, disease outbreaks and pandemics, accidents and chemical contamination, nuclear and radiological hazards, extreme heat events, and water supply hazards. The final part addresses special considerations, such as how the law serves as a foundation to public health actions; preparedness considerations for persons with disabilities, access, and functional needs; children and disasters; and a chapter evaluating emerging and evolving threats. Throughout, chapters convey the roles of front-line, supervisory, and leadership personnel of the many stakeholders involved in preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to demonstrate decision-making in action. Key Features: Provides the fundamentals of public health emergency preparedness and response with detailed case studies of recent natural and man-made disasters Explains the roles of administrators, planners, first responders, and other stakeholders involved in emergency response Covers major disaster planning and preparedness topics such as weather-related emergencies, bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks including COVID-19, wildfires, radiological and nuclear exposure, and many more Crosswalks the 10 essential public health services and foundational public health competencies illustrated in case examples Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers




Occupational Safety and Health in the Emergency Services


Book Description

Designed for use within courses based on the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Occupational Safety and Health for Emergency Services model curriculum, Occupational Safety and Health in the Emergency Services, Fourth Edition provides a comprehensive overview of the many components of occupational safety and health for the emergency services. This textbook provides a historical look at industrial safety and health and how history has impacted the emergency services by providing a safer work environment that reduces first responder deaths and injuries. Occupational Safety and Health in the Emergency Services features a laser-like focus on fire fighter health and safety and details how to stay safe and healthy in a high-risk environment and includes: - Thorough coverage of the "16 Fire Fighter Life safety Initiatives" with emphasis on the positive impact these Initiatives can have when implemented. - Case studies, review and discussion questions, and additional resources for each chapter. - Discussion on the latest research from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).




Emergency Care and the Public's Health


Book Description

As US health care systems undergo a period of transformative change, so too will emergency care, and more specifically emergency departments. This transformation will include: The development of new diagnostic, therapeutic, and information technologies A growing need to prepare and respond to emerging public health threats The expansion of the role of allied health professionals to address the workforce crisis Novel expectations for care coordination The fundamental economics of emergency care under new payment models, and The key relationship with American law. Emergency Care and the Public's Health explores the complex role of emergency care in the context of these changes and as an increasingly vital component of health care systems both within and outside the US. From an expert emergency medicine team, this new title is a reference for emergency care and critical care providers, allied health professionals and hospital administrators. It is also for relevant for public policy and healthcare policy professionals.