Operation Enduring Freedom: The 48th Combat Support Hospital in Afghanistan
Abstract
To examine the experience of the 48th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) while deployed to Afghanistan, with an emphasis on trauma care. Materials and Methods: Before redeployment, a retrospective review was performed on the medical records of all patients treated at the 48th CSH from December 6, 2002 through June 7, 2003. Results: During the 6-month period, 10,679 patients were evaluated and/or treated. There were 477 hospital admissions (adults, 387; children, 90; trauma, 204) and 634 operating room procedures. The most common mechanisms of injury were land mines/unexploded ordinance (74 36%) and gunshot wounds (41 20%). Extremities were the most common site. A total of 358 cases was performed on 168 trauma patients (mean, 2 cases per patient; range, 1 12). There were 63 complications in 40 trauma patients and 11 patients died. Conclusions: The 48th CSH supported military and humanitarian operations with an ongoing process of re-evaluation, adaptation, and medical education that resulted in low morbidity and mortality rates.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA480478
Entities
People
- Alan L. Bettler
- Glenn W. Wortmann
- James M. Goff Jr.
- Luke J. Hofmann
Organizations
- Walter Reed Army Medical Center