Despite the severity and complexity of injuries, survival rates among combat casualties are equal to or better than those from civilian trauma. This article summarizes the evidence regarding innovations from the battlefield that contribute to these extraordinary survival rates, including preventing hemorrhage with the use of tourniquets and hemostatic dressings, damage control resuscitation, and the rapid evacuation of casualties via MEDEVAC and the US Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Teams. Care in the air for critically injured casualties with pulmonary injuries and traumatic brain injury is discussed to demonstrate the unique considerations required to ensure safe en route care. Innovations being studied to decrease sequelae associated with complex orthopedic and extremity trauma are also presented. The role and contributions of the Joint Combat Casualty Research Team and the Joint Theater Trauma System are also discussed.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
1 July 2010
Symposium|
July 01 2010
Advancing Critical Care: Joint Combat Casualty Research Team and Joint Theater Trauma System
Elizabeth Bridges, Col USAFR, NC, RN, PhD, CCNS;
Elizabeth Bridges, Col USAFR, NC, RN, PhD, CCNS
Col Elizabeth Bridges, USAFR, NC, is Individual Mobilization Augmentee; Director, Clinical Investigations Facility, 60th Medical Group, Travis AFB, California; Director, Deployed Combat Casualty Research Team, US Forces Afghanistan (March–September 2009); Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Nursing; and Clinical Nurse Researcher, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195 ([email protected]). MAJ Kimberlie Biever, ANC, was Trauma Program Manager, Joint Theater Trauma System, CENTCOM Forward, US Forces Iraq and Afghanistan (March-December 2009). Currently, she is Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington, DC.
Search for other works by this author on:
Kimberlie Biever, MAJ ANC, RN, MS, ACNP-BC, ANP-BC, CCNS, CCRN
Kimberlie Biever, MAJ ANC, RN, MS, ACNP-BC, ANP-BC, CCNS, CCRN
Col Elizabeth Bridges, USAFR, NC, is Individual Mobilization Augmentee; Director, Clinical Investigations Facility, 60th Medical Group, Travis AFB, California; Director, Deployed Combat Casualty Research Team, US Forces Afghanistan (March–September 2009); Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Nursing; and Clinical Nurse Researcher, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195 ([email protected]). MAJ Kimberlie Biever, ANC, was Trauma Program Manager, Joint Theater Trauma System, CENTCOM Forward, US Forces Iraq and Afghanistan (March-December 2009). Currently, she is Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington, DC.
Search for other works by this author on:
AACN Adv Crit Care (2010) 21 (3): 260–276.
Citation
Elizabeth Bridges, Kimberlie Biever; Advancing Critical Care: Joint Combat Casualty Research Team and Joint Theater Trauma System. AACN Adv Crit Care 1 July 2010; 21 (3): 260–276. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/15597768-2010-3005
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Short-term Access
Purchase short-term access on a pay-per-article or pay-per-issue basis.
$15 72 - hour single article access $30 7 - day full issue access
.svg?versionId=1461)