Problems contacting emergency services and delayed assistance are not unusual when incidents occur in rural areas, and the consequences can be devastating, particularly with mass casualty incidents. The IOM's Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events held a workshop to examine the current capabilities of emergency response systems and the future opportunities to improve mass casualty response in rural communities.

Preparedness and rigorous planning on community, state, and regional levels are critical to containing the threat of pandemic illness. Steeped in research and recommendations from lessons learned, Pandemic Planning describes the processes necessary for the efficient and effective preparation, prevention, response, and recovery from a pandemic threat. This evidence-based book guides plan development and provides solutions to common strategic, ethical, and practical challenges to pandemic preparedness. Topics discussed include: The current threat of pandemics and how they relate to homeland security and emergency management Leadership and incident management structure as they relate to pandemic preparedness Computer simulation models and data visualization for strengthening prevention and control measures within a community Marketing principles and how they promote pandemic preparedness for a community Lessons learned from pandemic influenza exercises conducted with regional hospitals and how those lessons can be applied to other institutions Government resources available to assist with the planning for and monitoring of a pandemic event Economic and logistic concerns that arise during a pandemic Discussing preparedness across a variety of institutional levels, the authors’ collaboration with national research leaders and community stakeholders has enabled them to assemble the most current and essential information available on pandemic preparedness. Their book distills this information into workable strategies to bolster public health, mitigate risk, and protect the population.

This volume will serve as an indispensable reference for the rural health practitioner facing uniquely rural concerns in health promotion, patient care and professional practice.

Cardiac Arrest is the definitive and most comprehensive reference in advanced life support and resuscitation medicine. This new edition brings the reader completely up-to-date with developments in the field, focusing on practical issues of decision making, clinical management and prevention, as well as providing clear explanations of the science informing the practice. The coverage includes information on the latest pharmacotherapeutic options, the latest chest compression techniques and airway management protocols, all backed by clearly explained, evidence-based scientific research. The content is consistent with the latest guidelines for practice in this area, as detailed by the major international governing organisations. This volume is essential reading for all those working in the hospital environments of emergency medicine, critical care, cardiology and anesthesia, as well as those providing care in the pre-hospital setting, including paramedics and other staff from the emergency services.