Terrorism and Critical Care: Chemical, Biologic, Radiologic, and Nuclear Weapons, An Issue of the Critical Care Clinics (Volume 21-4) (The Clinics: Surgery, Volume 21-4)

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is an essential component of current medical systems, with the sickest patients from the Emergency Room and Operating Room transferred there for ongoing care. In addition to the ICU and Critical Care Unit (CCU), critical care services are provided in multiple areas of the hospital (e.g., emergency department, in-patient wards) and outside of the hospital (e.g., ground or air ambulance during patient transfers). This issue reviews the main issues involved in the administration of critical care services outside of designated CCU and ICU areas with the aim of improving patient outcomes.