A paradigm shift in the provision of improved critical care in the emergency department

• Published in: Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 293 - 297
• Main Authors: Yim, KM, Ko, HF, Yang, Marc LC, Li, TY, Ip, S, Tsui, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hong Kong Hong Kong Academy of Medicine 01-06-2018
• Subjects: Arterial lines; Blood pressure; Critical care; Diabetes; Emergency medical care; Hospitals; Intensive care; Medicine; Patients; Sepsis; Training; Ventilators; Hong Kong China; China
• ISSN: 1024-2708; 2226-8707
• DOI: 10.12809/hkmj176902

With Hong Kong’s ageing population, advancement of medical technologies and hospital congestion, it is not uncommon for emergency physicians to encounter complicated critically ill patients in daily practice. It becomes a fundamental role of emergency physicians to initiate timely diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to save a patient’s life and improve their prognosis. It is the reason a critical care service has been developed in emergency departments worldwide over the last decade. This article shares how emergency department intensivists can contribute to this novel model of care with some illustrative cases. Advanced airway and peri-intubation management, difficult mechanical ventilation, treatment of shock, circulatory arrest, and metabolic disturbances can be safely and efficiently handled in the current emergency department setting. Obstacles, barriers, and the road ahead will be discussed.