Medics treat servicemembers throughout Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  Getting warriors back in the fight is a duty for the medical professionals in the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group in Southwest Asia. 

The 96 percent of wounded warriors returned to duty shows not only that they are good at what they do, but also that they provide critical support to the theaterwide mission.

Through its in-theater care program, the medical staff treats servicemembers who have been evacuated from forward operating locations and Navy ships operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Despite that responsibility, the Airmen of the 379th EMDG also provide robust medical services for about 6,000 U.S. and coalition servicemembers stationed here.

While critically injured servicemembers are usually air evacuated directly to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, those with relatively shorter recovery times are transported to the 379th EMDG hospital for surgical and rehabilitative services, said Chief Master Sgt. Peter Cawthon, the 379th EMDG superintendent.

In addition to primary physicians, nurses and support staff, the 379th EMDG has a general surgeon, orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist, who all contribute to returning about 96 percent of the patients operated on back to duty.

Non-emergent surgical procedures using minimal access laparoscopic and arthroscopic techniques not available downrange are performed at the 379th EMDG hospital. For example, procedures such as appendectomies and hernia operations, as well as knee, elbow and ankle repair result in shorter healing and rehabilitation periods helping servicemembers return to duty faster.

The hospital has a three-bed intensive care unit and an in-patient capability of six beds for people recovering from surgery. The 379th EMDG also has out-patient billeting in the medical compound for up to 40 patients, Chief Cawthon said.

"We get referrals from (medical care) providers in forward-operating bases who have servicemembers who have injuries who can hopefully be recovered within 30 days," said Maj. (Dr.) Colleen Christensen, the 379th EMDG orthopedic surgeon and chief of hospital services. "Our goal is to get them back to duty and back in the fight with no limitations."

"We had an A-10 (Thunderbolt II) pilot here recently who was flying missions 14 days post operation," said Maj. (Dr.) E. Matt Ritter, a 379th EMDG surgeon.

When referrals are received, patients are screened to determine whether an operation can be performed at the 379th EMDG. Factors such as equipment availability and post operative rehabilitation are considered during the screening process. However, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing members have cultivated relationships and fostered agreements with host nation hospitals for some surgeries that need specialized equipment.

An example of the base and host nation's partnership occurred recently that required a quick response by medics and transportation members to a host nation hospital for emergency cardiac care.

Lt. Col. Thomas Wiswell, a 128th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron navigator, walked into the Independence Dining Facility for a meal and suddenly keeled over in cardiac arrest.

Medical members who were eating at the facility immediately responded by checking his airway, breathing and circulation and by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The automated external defibrillator at the dining facility was taken to the scene, and the pads were applied on Colonel Wiswell's chest. The machine analyzed his status and a pre-programmed voice said, "Shock advised," and the shock that followed brought back a pulse.

He was quickly put in an ambulance where he lost his pulse again. Medics began chest compressions until they arrived at the 379th EMDG hospital.

"When we got him into the emergency room, they were doing CPR on him, and we got an IV started with emergency medications. The physicians put in a breathing tube, and they continued to use a defibrillator and chest compressions, and he had a return of circulation," said Maj. Bart Thomas, a 379th EMDG chief nurse. "Then it was a matter of stabilizing him and coordinating transport to a hospital downtown for further emergency care."

Colonel Wiswell was taken to the front gate where medical members were met by host nation emergency responders who transported him with 379th EMDG providers administering care to a hospital where higher levels of cardiac care were available.

"This was a magnificent effort by our medical professionals," said Brig. Gen. Charles K. Shugg, the 379th AEW commander. "They did not give up when others might have." 

After a week in a hospital downtown, Colonel Wiswell came back to the 379th EMDG hospital before being air evacuated back to the U.S. for further care.

"If you had to have a heart attack, it was probably the best place to have it," said Colonel Wiswell lightheartedly from his hospital bed. "If I had been somewhere else, who knows what would have happened."

"The staff here is outstanding," he said. "I was here two years ago when my appendix ruptured, and they did the surgery right here, and now they're taking care of me again."
 
The immediate medical emergency response is credited with saving Colonel Wiswell's life. In order to resuscitate somebody who has cardiac arrest, the American Heart Association stresses that a chain of events must happen, and no single event is more important than the other. There must be early access to emergency medical services, CPR, defibrillation, and early intensive care unit admission, Major Thomas said.

"Automated external defibrillators are very important; they save lives," Major Thomas said. "They will almost never shock somebody who has a pulse, and they will always recognize someone who does not have a normal rhythm and appropriately advise administering a shock."

Currently, defibrillators are stored in about 20 high traffic areas around base, and there are plans to add more in the near future, along with future CPR refresher training classes. 

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