Care in an austere environment

Abstract

Extreme medical conditions often exist in austere settings. The expectations of providers to ensure quality care in these locations is complicated by the short and long-term limitations of medical personnel and equipment. These competing factors are amplified with the care of critically ill children. The over-arching principal for care in the austere setting is to treat those with the best chance of survival, focus on conditions that can be cured, initiate therapies that can be maintained and do the most sustainable good for the largest number people.