EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT: Hospitals & Clinics / Ambulance / Fire Dept.  |  STAFF & PATIENT EXPECTATIONS  |  POST ER FOLLOW UP  |  MEDICAL INSURANCE  |  PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION

Ambulance Paramedics · Hospital ER Doctors / Nurses / Medical Techs / Medical Social Workers / Surgeons  |  Triage Protocols  |  Field Hospitals  |  Community Walk in Clinics  |  First Aid Training  |  Post ER Follow-Up Treatment: Acute Care, ICU, CCU, Morgue, Home Discharge | MedicalHealthClinics.com Home


  • What & Who do you see in a ER?

  • How do you get to a Hospital Emergency Department?

  • What "alternatives" are there?

  • US Dept. of Health & Human Services website: www.healthfinder.gov


  • Dedication Credits
    • Dr. Q. Reilly & Family, Australia and Manus Island, PNG
    • Mt. St. Joseph Hospital ER Doctors e.g. Dr. G.Kenny, Dr. J. Halvorsen, Dr. R. Arnold, Dr. G. Moffit, Nurses, X-Ray / CT Scan Imaging Technicians, Lab Technicians and community physicians affiliated with hospital
    • Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception founders of Mt. St. Joseph Hospital in Vancouver, Canada as well as with experience in medical outreach / midwife services in Africa and China
    • Paramedics with BC Ambulance Services, e.g. N. Ip
    • Vancouver Police Department


  • Information Credits:

    This section is put together from photos and illustrations from/by Neal Chan,MSW former ER Medical Social Worker, Tony Yau, BFA MVA, Illustrator and Graphic designer in Hong Kong, and Malcolm Wong,MFA, graphic novelists of manga comic style DogEaters.com

  • We would like to thank the non-formal support of K. Nugent, BSC RN and Ms. J. Bottomsley, BSC RN in Hawaii; Dr. A. P. in Victoria, Dr. L.L. IN Vancouver, Dr. JM with the Cancer Agency and Nahum Ip, Ambulance Paramedic, recently returned from volunteer work in South Africa with a NGO (non-government-organization) orphanage for children under 2 years old with HIV AIDS
 ·***  Photos of actual ER's , ambuances, nursese and beds in use with survival view of future  Manga style  illustrations from Malcom Wong

Who is elgible for Emergency Medical Treatment?

Definition of "Triage" noun
"...the sorting of and allocation of treatment to patients and esp. battle and disaster victims according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors" [quote Webster's Medical Desk Dictionary, © 1986, USA, ISBN 0-87779-025-6, p.283]

Images extracted from the Dog Easters, manga comic style graphic novel are in the large graphic above to serve as an example of "triage" after injuries suffered in battle field conditions. In this fantasy story of a post petroleium / post apocolyptic world 175 years in the future [remember the Mad Max films?] surgery as well as future acess to antibiotics is dependent on whether the injured party is seen as a useful live "friend" ally. [see www.dogeaters-manga.com

Training-Education and Professional Associations of "Emergency Physicians"

  • USA American College of Emergency Physicians www.acep.org "...ACEP supports quality emergency care and promotes the interests of emergency physicians." [quote fr. website 2010.01.04]

    Facts About ACEP and Emergency Medicine

    The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the oldest and largest national medical specialty organization representing physicians who practice emergency medicine. With nearly 27,000 members, ACEP is the leading continuing education source for emergency physicians and the primary information resource on developments in the specialty.

    Founded in 1968, ACEP achieved a major milestone in 1979 when emergency medicine was recognized as the nation's 23rd medical specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The independent certifying body for the specialty, the American Board of Emergency Medicine was installed at that time as a member of the ABMS.

    The College continually monitors trends in the health care environment and analyzes issues affecting emergency physicians and their patients.
    [1020.01.04] quote from About Us in www.acep.org

  • Canada's Emergency Medicine Physicians
    • www.caep.ca "CAEP - Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians | ACMU - Association canadienne des médecins d'urgence"
      "As the national voice of Emergency Medicine, CAEP provides continuing medical education and advocates on behalf of emergency physicians and their patients. In cooperation with other specialties and committees, CAEP plays a vital role in the development of national standards and clinical guidelines"
    • www.cma.ca "Welcome to the online edition of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine (CJEM) , the official journal of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP).

      CJEM is a peer-reviewed journal owned by CAEP. CJEM is published every 2 months (January, March, May, July, September and November). CJEM presents articles of interest to emergency care providers in rural, urban or academic settings. Publishing services are provided by the Canadian Medical Association."

USA Hospital Emergency Deparments with Emergency Medicine Residency Programs

  • California, San Francisco General Hospital Emergency Services
    sfghed.ucsf.edu
    • "The SFGH San Francisco General Hospitals is pairing with UCSF to create a new Emergency Medicine residency program, beginning in July 2008. Please visit the residency website for more information: www.emresidency.ucsf.edu"
    • "The SFGH Emergency Department is the only Level-One Trauma Center for the City and County of San Francisco and northern San Mateo.  Our annual census is approximately 58,000, and the Emergency Department serves as a point of entry and triage for critically injured patients of all ages, in addition to a wide range of nontraumatic complaints for a predominantly underserved, urban population.  The hospital is affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and Medical Center." [quote website sfghed.ucsf.edu 2010.01.08]


Federal Legislation and Health Care Notes

In the USA under President Barak Obama in 2009 initiated legislation to extend medical coverage to over 30,000,000 [ 30 million Americans] currently Not Covered by medical insurance of any type.

So if you're an American citizen who has no medical coverage of any sort, how do you deal with your medical issues/concerns?

In Canada, what's the difference? They have virtually all citizens covered under a Provincially subsized medical insurance program; however there seem to be some ongoing trade-offs: not the least being very long waiting lists for all sorts of diagnostic and treatment services.

Recent news-journalism reports on www.msnbc.msn.com Crhis Matthews "Hard Ball" program indicated that the per capital expense for medical coverage in Canada is still significantly lower than the current coverage options being spent by USA citizens.

In countries like South Africa, or Papua New Guinea we see marked lower life expectencies overall, in part related to higher rate of pregnancies among younger girls/women and higher mortality rates among the very young.

So what emergency health services are availbe in the developing world?

Post Emergency Medical Treatment Followup & Rehabilitation Services from Physiotherpists aka Physical Therapists

Definitions of Physical Therapy also known as Physiotherapy  -  MedicalHealthClinics.com



Photo of physiotherapists doing actual treatment for lower and upper back probems of another physical therapist who is a competitive rower

The above photo is courtesy of two Canadian physiotherapists, Chris May & Faraley Vander Schilden and San Francisco cycling enthusiasts, Norberto & Shelley Li.  The physios (aka known as physical therapists in USA) are with THE VICTORIA WEST SIDE SPORTS & ORTHOPAEDIC PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC

CHRIS MAY, B.Sc.Kin., B.Sc.PT.
West side Clinic Director, Sports & Orthopaedic Manipulative Physiotherapist, Certified Western Acupuncture Services

Chris May has a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Victoria and a degree in Physiotherapy from the University of British Columbia.  He is also a NCCP level 3 coach for rugby, and has coaching experience at the club, super league, provincial and national team levels. (quote from The Physio Room in BC Rugby News 01.2006 BCrugbynews.com)
West side Physiotherapy Clinic
174 Wilson Street,
Suite 240
Victoria, BC  V9A 7N6  Canada
Tel:  250.382.0777
Fax:  250.382.0777


Faraley Vander Schilden, B.Sc. Kin., M.Sc. PT
Registerd Physiotherapist
Vander Schilden has a history of competitive rowing, e.g. "8s" such as pictured in the photo above. Note: the clinic is located beside Victoria's Gorge area (near the Bay St. Bridge), where rowing teams often practice and compete in e.g. Victoria's annual corporate rowing challenge.
   West side Physiotherapy
   Tel:  250.382.0777


References for Physiotherapists in Canada

Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia - home page image - CLICK TO THEIR WEB SITE


Sample References for Physical Therapists in U.S.A.

Physical Therapy / Physiotherapy Definitions

"...the treatment of disease by physical and mechanical means (as massge, regulated exercise, water, light, heat, and electricity) -- also called physiotherapy in other English speaking countries outside of USA" [p.546. Websters's Medical Desk Dictionary, 1986, Merriam-Webster, ISBN 0-87779-025-6]


In the U.S.A.  Why choose a Physical Therapist?  What Can They Do?

" Why a Physical Therapist? [quote fr. MoveForwardPT.com]
Physical therapists can help improve or restore the mobility you need to move forward with your life. If you are looking for a possible alternative to surgery and/or pain medication, consider a physical therapist. ...
Your Physical Therapist Can Help You With:
 ·   Arthritis
 ·   Back Pain
 ·   Knee Pain
 ·   Osteoporosis
 ·   Overuse Injuries
 ·   Shoulder Pain
 ·   Stroke
 ·   Sprains, strains, and fractures
 ·   And much more

About Physical Therapists
Intensive Education and Clinical Expertise
Physical therapists apply research and proven techniques to help people get back in motion. All physical therapists are required to receive a graduate degree - either a masters or a clinical doctorate -- from an accredited physical therapist program before taking the national licensure examination that allows them to practice. State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices. They are trusted health care professionals with extensive clinical experience who examine, diagnose, and then prevent or treat conditions that limit the body's ability to move and function in daily life.

More and more physical therapists are now graduating with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. More than 92 percent of the 210 accredited academic institutions nationwide offering professional physical therapist education programs now offer the DPT degree - and more than 75% of all 2008 PT graduates hold a DPT degree.

Caring to suit anyone's needs
Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes.

Physical therapists diagnose and treat people of all ages [emphasis added], including newborns, children, and elderly individuals.  They may consult and practice with other health professionals to help you improve your mobility.

American Physical Therapy Association - home page
American Physical Therapy Association APTA.org

Move Forward what can a physical therapist do for you

" You've heard about physical therapists, but what can they bring to your life?  A physical therapist can help you achieve and maintain mobility and quality of life without surgery or prescription medication, in many cases.  With their extensive education, physical therapists help you move forward so that you can get back to daily living.  MoveForwardPT.com, brought to you by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), is your source for information about how physical therapy can bring motion to your life. " [quote 30.11.2009 fr. www.moveforwardpt.com produced by American Phsyical Therapy Association]


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last update Jan. 02, 2010 nc.