Understanding the Role of Emergency & Critical Care Services

In this modern world with a fast-paced lifestyle, there is a wide range of health hazards that can arise without any prior notice and can be potentially life-threatening. In such circumstances, what comes across as the first sight of relief for patients is the Emergency and Critical Care department. Emergency and critical care services are the medical facilities provided by a hospital, which are staffed 24 hours across 7 days a week, and cater to the needs of the patients whose condition requires immediate attention on an unscheduled basis. A skilled and competent emergency and critical care team can save many lives under the leadership of specialist physicians and the availability of the latest and advanced medical equipment. 

 

Emergency and Critical Care services of a hospital are most often the first points of contact for a critically ill patient whose situation requires immediate attention. These emergency services are provided by trained and qualified staff which includes nurses and physicians. At the emergency department, patients are treated on priority based on the severity of their situation. After providing basic care, once their situation becomes stable, they can either be shifted to any specific facility in the hospital or sent back home if required. In this article, we will discuss in detail about the role of emergency and critical care services.

 

What makes a good Emergency and Critical Care Department?

A good emergency and critical care department is operated and managed by specially trained Physicians and nurses. They are equipped with various devices like monitors and point-of-care diagnostics. They also have emergency drugs and other equipment which can be handy for high-quality medical care. This department works in close coordination with departments like radiology, blood bank, pathology, etc. Apart from all these facilities, critical care physicians also need to be knowledgeable, skilled, and humble. Experienced and open-minded healthcare professionals with good communication skills are a big plus in the emergency department, especially when both the patient and his attendants are in a state of panic and anxiety. An experienced emergency physician will not only hold his nerves in times of panic but also treat the patient with the utmost care and comfort while reassuring the attendants. A patient-centric approach is a must for all emergency and critical care departments across the country.

 

Which conditions are handled in Emergency and Critical Care Services?

The role of Emergency and Critical Care Services becomes specifically important in cases of stroke and heart attack, as these are the conditions that require immediate medical attention. Conditions like poisoning, kidney failure, respiratory failure, and other conditions which require timely intervention are also taken care of in the Emergency department. Various surgical emergencies such as cases of road accidents, severe abdomen pain, blockage of blood supply to the limbs, etc are provided with instant intervention and care. Some of the most common reasons for admission to emergency and critical care department are given below:

 

Heart Attacks

When patients with a heart attack are admitted to emergency care, they are treated on a priority basis. The initial action involves giving oxygen and monitoring the patient. ECG is done next, along with aspirin and other medications to help the patient with pain and other symptoms. This is followed by taking adequate steps to treat the patient based on the ECG report.  The life-saving treatment of thrombolysis or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty accordingly. Both of these processes are greatly effective in significantly reducing the mortality rates from heart attacks.

 

Accidents or severe injuries

Any major trauma caused by accidents or falls, resulting in several serious injuries to the patient is treated in the emergency and critical care department initially.  Services provided for such patients may range from imaging tests such as X-rays and other important tests. It is a well-known and accepted fact that the chances of the survival of a patient greatly increase when proper care and treatment are started within one hour of the accident.

 

What are the areas of clinical support in the Emergency and Critical Care unit?

Emergency and Critical Care Unit consists of Various areas of clinical support which include:

1. Triage: It is generally the first point of contact for the patients in the emergency cand critical care department. This is the area where patients are prioritized on the basis of the severity of their situation.  The categorization is mostly done into five different categories: immediate, emergency, urgent, semi-urgent and non-urgent. 
2. Resuscitation: In this area, patients are evaluated, managed and treated for unexpected illnesses or injuries. These areas serve as the points for life-saving interventions and treatment for acutely-ill patients in the emergency. This area is equipped with resuscitative equipment like monitors, defibrillators, airway, intubation, and surgical equipment. It also has a physician with trauma and advanced cardiac training.
3. Ambulance Services: These are one of the most important aspect of emergency clinical support, as they can be used to administer medical help while on the way to the hospital. These timely interventions can prove to be life-saving.
4. Critical Care Units: Critically ill patients are mostly treated in critical care units. This can include treatment in Intensive Care Units or High Dependency Units. These are used for the patients who require advanced medical equipments, special medications and constant monitoring of their situation.
5.  Apart from the above-mentioned areas, there are some other specialized units which are required in the emergency and critical care department. These include anesthesiology and critical care medicine, neurological care, and pain medicine. These are instrumental in providing relief to patients from situations like acute pain and neurological issues.

 

Training and equipment required for Emergency and Critical Care Services

Emergency and Critical Care Department requires a completely different skillset and equipment from most of the other facilities of a hospital. This is because of the fact that patients often arrive in the emergency department when they are unstable or unconscious and need immediate treatment. Moreover, they might also not be in the condition to explain their medical history and recent problems they’ve been facing.

The Equipments required in the emergency care department includes emergency beds, cardiac monitors, central oxygen and suction ports, resuscitation carts, ECG machines, infusion pumps etc. Apart from these equipments, there are certain other critical care equipments which are present in an emergency room. These involve ventilators, IV catheters, Urine Catheters, ECG electrodes etc.

The Emergency and Critical Care Department at Sohana Hospital Mohali is equipped with the most advanced and latest technologically enabled equipment and skilled staff. Our expert emergency physicians and staff provide the most comprehensive and compassionate care for your loved ones during their tough times. We always stand by your side during the times of unforeseen medical emergencies, ensuring the highest standards of critical care with the most patient-centric approach. Within the distance of a few minutes from Chandigarh Airport and Railway Station, our location at the heart of the Tricity not only allows faster and smoother connectivity during emergencies but also buys you the much-needed time needed for the immediate onset of medical intervention, which is the most precious thing during an emergency. We, at Sohana Hospital Mohali, are committed to provide the region’s best and most advanced critical care, saving lives and saving hopes!