Posted on 02/09/2006 9:24:13 PM PST by SandRat
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq, Feb. 9, 2006 — The thought of a field hospital conjures up images of medics rolling battle-wounded troops on gurneys into a dimly lit operating room.
"We are the only surgical-based clinic at Victory Base Complex. We’ll do emergency surgery here, but then move (the patient) to a higher-level facility (in or out of theater)."
U.S. Air Force Col. Christian Benjamin
The 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron at Sather Air Base, at Baghdad International Airport, also faced the desert dust and worked in cramped quarters.
They moved inside recently to a new 15,000-square foot modular medical clinic, and they did it without degrading services.
“We opened the doors at the new clinic minutes after closing the doors at the tents. We basically duplicated services,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Christian Benjamin, 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron commander.
The new clinic more than doubles the workspace from the old 6,000-foot clinic. It also provides a cleaner, brighter facility to enhance the care for patients.
“The facility is a lot more clean and sanitary,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeff McLean, squadron clinical social worker.
The clinic’s mission includes providing primary care for the airmen assigned to Sather Air Base, emergent care and surgery for battle-wounded troops and referral specialist services such as orthopedics and emergency dentistry.
Although the clinic’s primary customers are Sather Air Base airmen, the staff also provides referral and emergent and trauma care to other U.S. military, contractors and Iraqi forces assigned to the Victory Base Complex at Baghdad International Airport.
“Our care is at the same standard as you would receive in the states,” said Benjamin. “We are only limited by what toys we have to use.”
Instead of the dark green, dusty and cramped tents, the new clinic features linoleum floors, sealed windows and doors and room to expand services.
A key benefit of the new clinic is less dust accumulation.
“(Less dust) reduces chances of wound infections,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeff Rose, squadron general surgeon.
The more sterile environment is key because the clinic is the first level of care off of the battlefield for many U.S. military troops who are fighting the war near Baghdad International Airport.
“We are the only surgical-based clinic at Victory Base Complex,” said Benjamin. The Army has general practice clinics in tents scattered throughout the complex.
“We’ll do emergency surgery here, but then move (the patient) to a higher-level facility (in or out of theater),” he said.
An Army special forces medic, who treats soldiers in combat here, said having the facility nearby “raises the soldier’s life expectancy.”
“I’m limited what I have with me (on the battlefield),” said the medic, who cannot be named for security reasons.
Although the combat wounded keep the orthopedic and general surgeons here busy, many patients are seen for fitness-related sprains and strains at the orthopedic clinic, said U.S. Air Force Maj. J.T. Tokish, squadron orthopedic surgeon.
Many of his patients are what he calls “bingers”—people who decide to get in shape while deployed without following a proper exercise routine.
“Instead of adopting a proper fitness lifestyle, they go to the gym, and get injured because of overusing their muscles,” Tokish said. “They pay the price.”
“Most of the time I reassure them and teach them how to strengthen their muscles,” he said.
The clinic space also provides room for the clinic’s other services — bioenvironmental, public health, life skills, general, dental, and sick call — to operate in individual offices.
McLean, who provides counseling to patients, said this is a benefit from the tents because patients can relax on a cot and talk about the stress they face from combat or deployment.
Although still an expeditionary clinic, the clinic’s M*A*S*H-era days are done.
Wonder if "PAINLESS" is still the Dentist?????
Code Pink is deeply saddened. "Damn, better medical care means less dead."
The sweet smell of journalistic integrity.
BTTT
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