Emergency Medicine: Time is not Just Gold; It's Life

Time is essential. This is especially true in the field of medicine. A single tick-tock can mean life-and-death in some cases. The clock's second hand may be the very thin line between survival and demise. Almost everything must be done urgently. Almost everything must take effect fast. There are cases needing immediate medical attention like victims of tragic accidents. Patients must be brought to the emergency room in no time. Others don't have the luxury of travel time, they must be treated on the spot.

In the 1970s, these types of cases signaled the need for a new branch of medicine --- emergency medicine. This is a relatively new specialty and is practiced in the emergency department of a hospital and other locations where immediate medical attention is needed. This distinct branch focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of injuries or acute illnesses. Emergency Medicine encompasses at least seven specialized expertise areas. These are toxicology, resuscitation, disaster management, environmental emergencies, wound care, acute pain management and emergency medical services systems design and supervision. An emergency physician is expected to have a knowledge of and perform several procedures from various medical fields faultlessly.

• seeing a large number of patients and treating their injuries or illnesses

• performing advanced procedures including trauma resuscitation, advanced airway management, advanced cardiac life support and surgical procedures

• suturing a complex laceration

• treating a heart attack

• stopping a nosebleed

• working up a pregnant patient experiencing vaginal bleeding

• reducing a fractured bone or dislocated joint

Although emergency physicians do not usually provide continuous or long-term care, they should also be able to provide care that will improve long-term patient outcome.

Emergency medicine allows patients to receive medical attention as fast as possible, even before they reach the hospital. This prevents any further damage to the body and saves lives. Yes, time is indeed essential in the field of medicine. Almost everything has to be done in no time at all because the last thing we want to hear is the doctor announcing the patient's time of death.