Page 128 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Summer 2014

• A JTS/CoTCCC brief at the COCOM Surgeons • Fluid warmers—medics in his unit prefer the Bel-
Conference mont Buddy Liter, a smaller version of the Buddy
• Increased interaction with combatant command Lite.
surgeons • Helmet-mounted blast monitors—to measure the
• TCCC and JTS briefings for senior line leaders overpressure exposure by Servicemembers during
• TCCC and JTS briefings for Service Surgeon’s training and combat operations.
General
• TCCC instruction for all military physicians and
physician assistants TCCC Issues and the Defense Health Agency (DHA)
• Shift to an annual update cycle for the TCCC Mr. Ed Whitt
curriculum
• E-mail an update package for each TCCC Guide- Mr. Whitt, who is a former Special Operator now work-
ing at DHA, provided insights into the coordination
lines changes that provides the following: process for CoTCCC recommendations. The organiza-
– The change to the Guidelines and the evidence tional structure at the Office of the Assistant Secretary
that supports it
– A set of TCCC training slides specific to the of Defense for Health Affairs (OASD/HA) is being re-
worked to incorporate the new DHA. Mr. Whitt and
change
– An updated version of the TCCC Guidelines his supervisor, Ms. Elizabeth Fudge, both work in the
• Regular distribution of updated “Direct from the Healthcare Operations section of the DHA, where they
help to shape the capabilities for medical support of de-
Battlefield” TCCC performance improvement issues
• A focused article for peer-reviewed publication ployed U.S. military forces. The services have “train and
equip” responsibility while the combatant commanders
on improving the transition of new concepts in establish standards of care for their theaters. OASD/HA
trauma care into military medical practice
and the DHA interact with both.

USASOC Medical R&D Initiatives There is a new Department of Defense Directive (DoDD)
being written that will specify the location and function
SGM Kyle Sims
of the JTS. There is at present no DoD-wide standard
SGM Sims reviewed a number of medical research and for trauma care, either on the battlefield or within the
development projects currently under way at USASOC. deployed MTF. An ongoing dialogue with both the ser-
These projects are selected based on input that comes vices and the COCOMs is key to ensuring that all ser-
directly from combat medics and include: vices and all theaters have the benefit of the 13 years of
• Junctional tourniquets—his unit is now fielding experience in trauma care that our military has gained
junctional tourniquets—they prefer the SAM JT in Afghanistan and Iraq.
®
and the Abdominal Aortic & Junctional Tourni-
quet (AAJT).
™
• XStat —regenerated cellulose sponges treated CoTCCC Action Items
™
with chitosan. This item is not yet FDA approved. Dr. Frank Butler
When approved, it will be used for control of ex- Meeting attendees reviewed a list of proposed changes
ternal hemorrhage.
• The Wound Stasis program—an expanding hemo- to the TCCC Guidelines and other potential action items
for the CoTCCC. This list is included as Enclosure (3).
static foam product designed for intra-abdominal
use. This product is not yet FDA approved.
• Prehospital monitors—the Tempus Pro can do all ENCLOSURE 1
vital signs, live video, and ultrasound (pending COTCCC MEETING
FDA approval). Sir Richard Branson developed it 4–5 February 2014
for use on his aircraft; this monitor is likely to be
vehicle based rather than carried in medic sets. Attendance USASOC
Corporal Bryan Anderson
• The ATAK—an Android PDA that provides both Col Jeff Bailey JTS
digital medical information and an electronic care CDR Sean Barbabella Navy EM Specialty Leader
documentation capability. COL Dave Barber JREG
• Intranasal ketamine injectors (50mg). Dr. Brad Bennett WMS
• A handheld ultrasound device—uses the same COL Peter Benson USASOC
wand as the Tempus Pro. LTC Wade Brockway Canadian Forces
• Field blood test kits that can test for HIV, hepatitis CDR Tyson Brunstetter DHA MEDLOG
virus C and B, HTLV1/II, malaria, syphilis, West COL Brian Burlingame JSOC
Nile virus, and Chagas disease. Dr. Frank Butler JTS

118 Journal of Special Operations Medicine Volume 14, Edition 2/Summer 2014