Page 89 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Fall 2015

b. Better: trained to sedate with ketamine (and ad-
junctive midazolam as needed)
c. Best: experienced with and maintains currency
in long-term sedation practice using intravenous INNOVATION,
morphine, ketamine, midazolam, fentanyl, and so
forth.
6. Use physical examination/diagnostic measures to NOT IMITATION
gain awareness of potential problems
a. Minimum: uses physical examination without Customized Solutions from the makers
advanced diagnostics, maintain awareness of
potential unseen injuries (abdominal bleed, head of the M9 Assault Medical Backpack
injury, and so forth)
b. Better: trained to use advanced diagnostics such
as ultrasound, point-of-care laboratory testing,
and so forth
c. Best: experienced in the above
7. Provide nursing/hygiene/comfort measures
a. Minimum: ensure the patient is clean, warm, dry,
padded, catheterized, and provides basic wound
care
b. Better: elevate head of bed, debride wounds,
perform washouts, wet-to-dry dressings, decom-
press stomach
c. Best: experienced in all the above
8. Perform advanced surgical interventions
a. Minimum: chest tube, cricothyrotomy
b. Better: fasciotomy, wound debridement, ampu-
tation, and so forth
c. Best: experienced with all the above
9. Perform telemedicine consult
a. Minimum: make reliable communications, pres-
ent patient, pass trends of key vital signs
b. Better: add laboratory findings and ultrasound
images
c. Best: video teleconference
10. Prepare the patient for flight
a. Minimum: be familiar with physiologic stressors
of flight
b. Better: trained in critical care transport
c. Best: experienced in critical care transport

Keywords: prolonged field care, PFC, medic skills, medical
capabilities, medic training

Mr Ball works at the USASOC Surgeon’s office, Fort Bragg,
NC.

Dr Keenan is command surgeon at Special Operations Com-
mand, Europe (SOCEUR), Stuttgart, Germany. sean.keenan1.
mil@mail.mil. Medical, Response and EOD Kits
Logistics Services Solutions

TSSI-OPS.COM / sales@tssi-ops.com
TOLL FREE 877 535-8774

Prolonged Field Care Capabilities 77