Applying ATLS to the Gulf War

Mil Med. 1993 Feb;158(2):121-6.

Abstract

During a 3-month deployment to Silopi, Turkey, for Operation Provide Comfort, the 39 TACG Air Transportable Hospital (ATH) managed 32 cases of severe military trauma. Fifty-two operations were necessary, 78% of which were performed at the ATH. Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols were applied to all of the patients. Only 14% of the 52 procedures were ATLS-learned skills. Also, only 30% of the patients could be managed solely by ATLS in the first 6 hours, the average time of ATH responsibility. ATLS alone is insufficient wartime readiness preparation for the military physician.

MeSH terms

  • Hospitals, Military
  • Hospitals, Packaged
  • Humans
  • Life Support Care*
  • Military Personnel*
  • Turkey
  • United States
  • Warfare*
  • Wounds and Injuries / therapy*