Page 113 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Summer 2014

This assessment of real world clinical encounters will programs. The 5-year experience set in this study rep-
help drive continued tactical medical program develop- resents the largest known multiyear analysis of a state
ment. In addition, knowledge of commonly occurring police tactical medical program. The results reinforce
clinical conditions will allow TEMS medics to focus the need for specialized training and dedicated protocols
risk reduction and mitigation efforts. While imperative that not only address specialized emergency and trauma
for the tactical medic to be trained in the management care but also encompass preventive medicine, primary
of acute traumatic injuries, these findings reinforce the care, nutrition and hydration, wound management, and
equal importance of being well versed in the manage- sports medicine. The tactical medic must at all times
ment of lower acuity, higher frequency “sick call” com- maintain a readiness to respond to acute life-threatening
plaints associated with minor illness and injury, as well injuries and illness, while simultaneously be monitoring
as the skills associated with operational preventative the overall health of the unit and be prepared to miti-
medicine. These data suggest that in addition to caring gate those non–life-threatening conditions that could
for law enforcement officers, the MSP TMU must main- adversely affect personnel performance.
tain the ability to care for a variety of patients including
bystanders to the law enforcement incident, as well as
those considered to be suspects. Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose. No extramural
Clinical activities in tactical medicine that may func- funding was used to support this study.
tionally impact the health of the unit often require a
knowledge base and skills sets to manage medical con-
cerns outside the conventional training of prehospital References
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