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…
The Major Trauma Patient
Introduction Every year 35 million people visit an emergency department (ED) because of an injury. Trauma is the leading cause of death in the United States for people under the…
Pediatrics
General Approach Children are not just small adults. Pediatric patients include a spectrum of children up to 18 years of age: newborns, neonates, infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, preteens, and…
Ultrasound-Guided IV Access
Introduction Ultrasound-guided insertion of an intravenous catheter (US IV) uses ultrasound (US) imaging to search for suitable peripheral veins that will support intravenous (IV) catheter placement, as well as visualize…
Medical Ethics, the Law, and Cultural Competency
Introduction Medical ethics encompass the obligations health care professionals have to ensure patients’ overall well-being and to respect their fundamental human rights. Medical ethics applies to every healthcare provider and…
Behavioral Health and Toxicologic Emergencies
Introduction Nearly one out of every eight emergency department (ED) visits in the United States is related to mental illness or substance use. ED visits for mental health issues have…
The Electrocardiogram and Cardiac Monitoring
The Electrocardiogram The electrocardiogram (ECG; also EKG) is an essential component in the evaluation of a patient presenting with cardiac symptoms. It should be obtained simultaneously with, or immediately following,…
Vascular Access
Introduction Peripheral vascular access is an important emergency department (ED) technician (EDT) responsibility that involves cannulation of a peripheral vein for blood sample collection or medication, fluid, or contrast administration….
Stroke and Neurologic Emergencies
Introduction The term stroke refers to a spectrum of conditions affecting the brain’s vasculature that can lead to sudden brain tissue compromise and ultimately brain tissue death. An acute stroke…
