National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed its Office of Emergency Care Research (OECR) to focus on the health of patients who need emergency care. According to NIH, OECR will be "the focal point for basic, clinical and transitional emergency care research and training across NIH." Among many goals, OECR will focus on encouraging career development for those training in emergency care research; coordinate funding opportunities; and represent NIH in government efforts to improve U.S. emergency care systems.
NIH Director Francis Collins says although the agency has always supported emergency care research, now it has one main office where greater efforts can be made. "The NIH OECR will focus on speeding diagnosis and improving care for the full spectrum of conditions that require emergency treatment," Collins says.
A Blog From the American Society of Safety Engineers