1.12 The In-Hospital Care System 

The care of the sick and injured continues beyond the field treatment to the in-hospital treatment of the patient. The components of the in-hospital portion of the EMS system include: 

• Emergency departments with varying levels of services available, depending on resources and staffing levels 
• Specialty services, which are generally available at larger urban or regional hospitals, including: 
• Trauma centers, with surgeons immediately available to care for critically injured patients in need of surgery 
• Burn centers with special facilities and personnel to care for patients with serious burns 
• Pediatric centers with special resources to care for ill and injured infants and children 
• Perinatal centers with special resources and personnel to care for patients with emergencies involving pregnancy, childbirth, newborns 
• Poison control centers, staffed by personnel expertly trained to give information about the effects and treatment of poisoning and overdose 
• Personnel 

a. Physicians. Hospitals have varying types of specialists represented on staff. 

b. Nurses. Many nurses are certified in specialty areas, including nurse practitioners. 

c. Other allied health professionals, such as: 

•  Respiratory therapists 
• Radiology technicians 
• Physical therapists 
• Occupational therapists 
• Physician assistants 
• Medical social workers 
• Paramedics employed in hospital settings