Enhancing Quality and Safety Across the Acute Care Continuum: An Interprofessional Evaluation of Emergency Medical Services, Anesthesia Practice, and Health Security Collaboration

Abstract

The provision of high-quality and safe care within the acute care continuum relies on effective interprofessional collaboration among specialized disciplines. Emergency Medical Services (EMS), anesthesia practice, and health security represent three critical pillars in this continuum, each with distinct yet interconnected roles that ensure patient stabilization, perioperative safety, and institutional protection. The growing complexity of acute care systems and the increasing incidence of public health emergencies underscore the necessity for coordinated practice among these domains to minimize clinical errors and strengthen systemic resilience.

This literature review critically examines existing evidence on interprofessional collaboration among EMS, anesthesia practitioners, and health security professionals, focusing on their collective contribution to enhancing quality and safety across acute care settings. Relevant literature published between 2015 and 2025 was identified through comprehensive searches in PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect using targeted keywords such as interprofessional collaboration, acute care safety, emergency medical services, anesthesia, and health security. The review synthesizes findings across thematic areas, including communication and handover efficiency, collaborative crisis management, interprofessional simulation and training, and institutional policy integration.

The reviewed studies demonstrate that structured collaboration among these professions reduces adverse events, improves coordination during prehospital and perioperative transitions, and enhances emergency preparedness and infection control. However, persistent barriers such as inconsistent communication systems, limited joint training, and fragmented leadership structures continue to constrain the effectiveness of collaborative efforts.

This review concludes that establishing standardized interprofessional frameworks, joint simulation-based education, and unified safety protocols can substantially enhance the quality and security of acute care delivery. Integrating EMS, anesthesia, and health security operations is thus fundamental to achieving a resilient and patient-centered acute care system