Battlefield Lessons: The Forward Air Surgical Team (FAST) Response

Abstract

Research with trauma models and battle zone experience have identified critical time frames in which the most seriously injured must reach and receive comprehensive trauma care. Patients getting care in these time frames have reduced morbidity and mortality. The one battlefield model that has not transitioned to domestic mass casualty and disaster response is the military triage model. First responders are forced to forfeit immediate life-saving services and interventions to some of the most critically injured due to the complexity of resources required at the scene or extended transport times to tertiary care facilities. The military medical response to injuries in contemporary war zones provides a template that can be used by domestic civilian first responders responding to mass casualty events in geographically isolated areas. This paper presents a hybrid civilian-military partnership response that could to reduce morbidity and mortality rates in domestic disaster response.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 24, 2011
Accession Number
ADA560134

Entities

People

  • Mathew J. Brady

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Casualties
  • Combat Casualty Care
  • Debridement
  • Emergency Response
  • Employment
  • First Responders
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • Paramedics
  • Patient Care
  • Personnel Management
  • Surgery
  • Therapy
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Structural Dynamics.