Wartime Medical Care: DoD is Addressing Capability Shortfalls, but Challenges Remain.
Abstract
Operation Desert Storm revealed many weaknesses in medical capabilities of U.S. forces. Subsequent studies conducted by us and the DOD Inspector General revealed shortcomings in DOD'S ability to provide adequate, timely medical support during contingencies and problems with the planning and execution of these efforts. The Joint Staff also identified problems with the current design of DOD'S wartime medical system. In response to these problems, DOD and the services embarked on initiatives to correct shortfalls in wartime medical capabilities and improve medical readiness. The decisions that emanate from these efforts over the next few years will determine how wartime medical care will be provided for the foreseeable future. In March 1995, DOD published MRSP to serve as a road map for attaining and sustaining military medical readiness into the 21st century. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs is responsible for managing MRSP. In developing its MRSP, Health Affairs convened panels of both military and civilian experts to assess medical capability shortfalls in nine functional areas: planning; requirements, capabilities, and assessment; command, control, communications, computers, and information management; logistics; medical evacuation; personnel; training; blood supply; and readiness oversight.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA317367
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office