An Assessment of the Potential for Reducing Future Combat Deaths Through Medical Technologies and Training
Abstract
Clinical records were obtained for 210 combat trauma cases that ended in death subsequent to reaching a medical treatment facility. Four surgeons were recruited to review these records and assess the preventability of death if the traumas were sustained today, and to provide judgments as to now-available medical technologies and/or training that might make a lifesaving difference. In 8% of the cases, the four surgeons independently agreed that the deaths would be possibly preventable if the same traumas were incurred today; in an additional 17% of the cases, three of the four surgeons judged the deaths to be possibly preventable today. The fatal wounds most often viewed as salvageable today were hemorrhage, severe burns, pulmonary edema, and sepsis. The medical technologies most often mentioned to have a potentially lifesaving effect were ventilators/respirators, CT scanners, ultrasound, and antibiotics. The types of training most often mentioned to have a potentially lifesaving impact were damage control, ventilator management, liver packing, respiratory distress management, and burn management.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA400171
Entities
People
- C. G. Blood
- Gregory J. Walker
- J. C. Puyana
- J. Fridman
- P. J. Pitlyk
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center