A Managerial View of Hospital Accident and Emergency Department - a Critical Unit of Health Care Services

The Hospital Accident and Emergency Department provides round the-dock, immediate diagnosis and treatment for illness of an urgent nature and injuries from accidents to patients. Simple cases after being administered preliminary clinical treatment are discharged with instructions to attend OPD (Out Patient Department) as a follow-up measure. Cases of serious nature are admitted in emergency wards to provide immediate clinical medical care. Such patients are either discharged after 2-3 days or are transferred to permanent inpatient units. Emergency services are acquiring increasing importance due to modern problems arising out of urbanization and mechanization of the society. A managerial approach is needed to organize and manage Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in a hospital.