The assignment is an assessment of a communities available care options for complex or critical illness or injury.

Introduction - identify the community being assessed including area, population, and general demographics.

Describe the available complex care units or resources. - Investigate the community using the telephone directory, internet, Better Business Bureau, or other resources to identify complex and critical facilities available. For example, is there a local hospital that provides a CCU, ICU, NICU, PICU, Burn Unit, Trauma Center, Stroke Center, Emergency Department 24 hours, or other specialty unit? What is available in the local geographical area? You could look up the large medical facilities on the internet and check for services provided.

Technology - Describe the level of technology available for complex care in the assessed area. Is the technology current, advanced, or outdated? Provide an example.

Describe unavailable complex care units or resources - What complex or critical care facilities or units are not available in the community? How far away are available units? Are there resources to transfer (plane or helicopter) or available Tele-ICU resources? Explain.

Barriers to access - What barriers are present to accessing specific complex or critical care facilities? What obstacles may inhibit successful transitions of care?

Public awareness - Describe how the public could be made aware of the available resources and access to these complex care facilities.

Summary - Discuss the overall availability of facilities and resources to care for complex and critical patients in the assessed community.

Describe both the positives and negatives.