Orthopedic Immobilization Techniques
Immobilization techniques are implemented in the emergency setting to: ■ Reduce swelling ■ Decrease pain ■ Decrease tension on soft tissue injuries such as lacerations to skin, nerves, ligaments or…
Ear, Nose, and Throat and Ophthalmologic Emergencies
Otorhinolaryngologic Emergencies Otorhinolaryngologic emergencies include emergencies of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT), and ophthalmologic emergencies include emergencies of the eye. Injuries and illnesses related to these body parts are…
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Emergent General Assessment The initial evaluation of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries is dictated by the severity of the injury and risk to limb or life. Presentations of significant mechanisms of injury,…
Wound Management
Acute Traumatic Wounds Acute traumatic wounds such as lacerations ( Fig. 17.1 ) and crush injuries are frequent presenting complaints to emergency and urgent care settings. Acute wounds can be…
Infection Control in the Emergency Department
Introduction Infection control is a crucial component of maintaining a safe, clean, and healthy environment for both patients and staff in the emergency department (ED). The ED presents unique challenges…
Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Emergency Department
Introduction Women frequently present to the emergency department (ED) with obstetric (pregnancy-related) or gynecologic (non–pregnancy-related) symptoms that originate from issues of the female genital tract. As genital tract organs are…
Documentation
Documentation in the healthcare setting should be clear, concise, objective, timely, and accurate. The medical record documents a patient’s trajectory through the healthcare system. It is used as a communication…
Patient Transport
Introduction A significant amount of an emergency department (ED) technician’s (EDT’s) shift will be spent moving patients throughout the department and assisting them with various tasks outside the stretcher. Some…
Disasters and Mass Casualty Events
Introduction From the horrors of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, to the chaos in the aftermath of the Joplin, Missouri, category EF5 tornado in 2011, disasters are a…
Case Studies in Emergency Triage
Patients present to the emergency department (ED) with a variety of complaints of varying severity. The process by which ED providers prioritize patient complaints is called “triage.” Triage originates from…
