Journal of special operations medicine : a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals
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Airway compromise is the second leading cause of potentially survivable death on the battlefield. Studies show that airway management is a challenge in prehospital combat care with high error and missed opportunity rates. Lacking is user information on the perceived reasons for the challenges. The US military uses several performance improvement and field feedback systems to solicit feedback regarding deployed experiences. We seek to review feedback and after-action reviews (AARs) from end-users with specific regard to airway challenges noted. ⋯ In this review of military lessons learned systems, most of the feedback referenced equipment malfunctions and gaps in initial and maintenance training.This review of AARs provides guidance for targeted research efforts based the needs of the end-users.
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The United States (US) military utilizes combat wound medication packs (CWMP) to provide analgesia and wound prophylaxis in casualties who are still able to fight. We compared characteristics of combat casualties receiving CWMP to those not receiving CWMP. We also describe the proportions of casualties with injury patterns consistent with Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guideline indications for CWMP use who received this intervention. ⋯ Subjects receiving the CWMP were less severely injured compared to those who did not receive this intervention. The CWMP had very infrequent use among those casualties with injury patterns meeting indications specified in the TCCC Guidelines for use of this intervention.
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At present, however, there is no systematic, comprehensive quality assurance program for TCCC training throughout the DoD. Individual courses and instructors may or may not use all of the materials in the JTS-approved curriculum; they may or may not add content that is not part of the JTS curriculum; and they may or may not add additional training in the form of advanced simulation, hands-on training with moulaged casualties, graded trauma lanes, or live-tissue training. A recent pilot appraisal of four Tactical Combat Casualty Care for Medical Personnel (TCCC-MP) training courses found that TCCC-MP courses are not presenting all of the course material recommended by the Joint Trauma System (JTS), despite TCCC training having been mandated by the Department of Defense (DoD) for all US military personnel. ⋯ The post-course written testing also needs to use the standardized TCCC fund of knowledge questions and the TCCC Critical Decision Case Study questions developed by the JTS. Finally, there is a need to establish a systematic and standardized quality assurance program to ensure that TCCC training programs are carried out in accordance with the JTS-recommended TCCC curriculum. This program would best be performed as a new function of the CoTCCC with dedicated TCCC course appraisers.
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Effectively and rapidly controlling significant junctional hemorrhage is an important effort of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and can potentially contribute to greater survival on the battlefield. Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved labeling of four devices for use as junctional tourniquets, many Special Operations Forces (SOF) medics do not carry commercially marketed junctional tourniquets. As part of ongoing educational improvement during Special Operations Combat Medical Skills Sustainment Courses (SOCMSSC), the authors surveyed medics to determine why they do not carry commercial tourniquets and present principles and methods of improvised junctional tourniquet (IJT) application. The authors describe the construction and application of IJTs, including the use of available pressure delivery devices and emphasizing that successful application requires sufficient and repetitive training.
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An Army Reserve Combat Medic's training is focused on knowledge attainment, skill development, and building experience and training to prepare them to perform in austere conditions with limited resources like on the battlefield. Unfortunately, the exposure to skills they may be responsible for performing is limited. Research shows that greater than 90% of battlefield deaths occur in the prehospital setting, 24% of which are potentially survivable. Literature demonstrates that 91% of these deaths are related to hemorrhage; the remaining are related to other causes, including airway compromise. The skill and decision-making of this population are prime targets to optimize outcomes in the battlefield setting. ⋯ Supplementing the training of Army Reserve Combat Medics with the utilization of anesthesia providers is an effective platform. This exercise imparted confidence in this population of military providers. This is critical for decision-making capabilities, performance, and the prevention of potentially survivable mortality on the battlefield.