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Disease and Non-Battle Traumatic Injuries Evaluated by Emergency Physicians in a US Tertiary Combat Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 December 2017

Vikhyat S. Bebarta ,
Alejandra G. Mora ,
Patrick C. Ng ,
Phillip E. Mason ,
Andrew Muck  and
Joseph K. Maddry
Vikhyat S. Bebarta
Affiliation:
University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, ColoradoUSA
Alejandra G. Mora
Affiliation:
Air Force En Route Care Research Center, San Antonio Military Medical Center, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TexasUSA
Patrick C. Ng*
Affiliation:
San Antonio Military Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, San Antonio, TexasUSA
Phillip E. Mason
Affiliation:
San Antonio Military Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, San Antonio, TexasUSA
Andrew Muck
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TexasUSA
Joseph K. Maddry
Affiliation:
Air Force En Route Care Research Center, San Antonio Military Medical Center, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TexasUSA
*
Correspondence: Capt Patrick C. Ng, MD, MC USAF San Antonio Military Medical Center 3551 Roger Brooke Drive Joint Base San Antonio, San Antonio Texas USA 78234-7767 E-mail: Patrickcng1@gmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction

Analysis of injuries during military operations has focused on those related to combat. Non-combat complaints have received less attention, despite the need for many troops to be evacuated for non-battle illnesses in Iraq. This study aims to further characterize the disease and non-battle injuries (DNBIs) seen at a tertiary combat hospital and to describe the types of procedures and medications used in the management of these cases.

Methods

In this observational study, patients were enrolled from a convenience sample with non-combat-related diseases and injuries who were evaluated in the emergency department (ED) of a US military tertiary hospital in Iraq from 2007-2008. The treating emergency physician (EP) used a data collection form to enroll patients that arrived to the ED whose injury or illness was unrelated to combat.

Results

Data were gathered on 1,745 patients with a median age of 30 years; 84% of patients were male and 85% were US military personnel. The most common diagnoses evaluated in the ED were abdominal disorders, orthopedic injuries, and headache. Many cases involved intravenous access, laboratory testing, and radiographic testing. Procedures performed included electrocardiogram, lumbar puncture, and intubation.

Conclusion

Disease and non-battle traumatic injuries are common in a tertiary combat hospital. Emergency providers working in austere settings should have the diagnostic and procedural skills to evaluate and treat DNBIs.

BebartaVS, MoraAG, NgPC, MasonPE, MuckA, MaddryJK. Disease and Non-Battle Traumatic Injuries Evaluated by Emergency Physicians in a US Tertiary Combat Hospital. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(1):53–57.

Keywords

deployDNBIemergencyprehospital
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 33 , Issue 1 , February 2018 , pp. 53 - 57
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2017 

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Footnotes

Conflicts of interest: none

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