Publisher's Synopsis
The Emergency Department (ED), or Emergency Room (ER) as it is commonly known, is home to everyone-both patients and staff. There are very few constants in this ever-changing world, but the ER is certainly one of them. The patients find a safe haven, a place they can present with all manner of life's ills-physical, spiritual, or social-always hoping for a remedy. However, there is seldom a place where more life-changing events can occur. Some changes are subtle and indistinct, while others are cataclysmic in nature. Either way, patients are assured that they will truly be cared for. The ED staff calls this place home as well. There are no casual participants here; they come and soon will go nowhere else. They are truly a team, blending the proper proportion of caring and expertise. Their goal is to restore patients and families to the best state of health and recovery that can be achieved. Sometimes, the decisions have already been made and comfort is what we provide. Both sides are truly changed forever. This work completes the ER trilogy by presenting a synthesis of a quarter century of medical experience. Readers will have the opportunity to practice their deductive skills, make the proper diagnosis, and implement the correct treatment approach for each true story.
