Preparing Air Force Nurses to Deliver Health Care in a Unique Operational Environment: Detainee Operations
Abstract
United States Air Force nurses in combat operations find themselves providing care to a variety of patients in unique environments. Currently comprehensive training is provided in areas of battlefield nursing and the combat health care system. Specifically, nursing care is taught to be delivered at the Air Force Theater Hospital, a Forward Operating Base, or in the back of an aircraft. Training focuses on the variety of patients who may require care; the very young and very old, combatant and non-combatant, ally, and possibly, the enemy. There is however, limited training in caring for the enemy outside of the health care delivery system. Nursing is especially challenging in a detainee facility. The environment is different because a detainee facility's primary mission focuses on custody of the detainee, not care of the detainee. Nursing care in prison systems has already been identified as challenging. Weiskopf described the inmate nursing care experience, Its not like a hospital, because the whole purpose is the offender is there for custody; the offender is not there incarcerated to improve their health. It is difficult for nurses to transition from an environment in which patients seek out care, to one where specific rules and constraints guide the delivery of care. Because of this unique environment, it is vital for Air Force Medical Service nursing leadership and medical readiness training personnel to leverage specific nursing educational platforms, which will provide the right skill set for a nurse preparing for deployment to a detainee operation. Specifically, Air Force nurses deploying to a detainee facility environment should focus on development of specific cultural awareness skills, enhanced mental health assessment skills, and a nursing standards of care review that includes procedures for reporting detainee abuse and ethical concerns.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- AD1019532
Entities
People
- Beatrice T. Dolihite
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College