Cross-sectional analysis of Dutch repatriated service members from Southern Afghanistan (2003–2014)
| Autor: | Thijs T. C. F. van Dongen, Eelco P. Huizinga, Rigo Hoencamp, Luke P. H. Leenen |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2015 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Adolescent Poison control Occupational safety and health Time-to-Treatment Military medicine Young Adult Afghan Environmental health Injury prevention Journal Article Humans Medicine Netherlands Medicine(all) Afghan Campaign 2001 business.industry Environmental and Occupational Health Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health General Medicine Middle Aged medicine.disease Navy Military personnel Cross-Sectional Studies Military Personnel Transportation of Patients War-Related Injuries Medical emergency Public Health business |
| Zdroj: | Military Medicine, 180(3), 310. Association of Military Surgeons of the US |
| ISSN: | 0026-4075 |
| Popis: | Background: A systematic analysis of the complete medical support organization of the Dutch Armed Forces regarding repatriated service members from Afghanistan has not been performed so far. Methods: All information were collated in a specifically designed electronic database and gathered from the archive of the Central Military Hospital for all Dutch service members receiving treatment for wounds or diseases sustained in the Afghan theatre from July 2003 till January 2014. Results: Traumatic injuries were the main cause (63%, 141/223) of repatriation, and improvised explosive devices the major (67%, 60/89) mechanism of injury in the battle casualty group. The mean time between injury and medical evacuation from Afghanistan was 8 days, and this was reduced to 3.6 days in case of polytrauma casualties (ISS > 15). Conclusions: Sixty percent of all Dutch medical evacuations from Afghanistan were not directly related to combat operations. A standard medical examination/endurance test in the predeployment phase could be useful as screening tool in reduction of the disease nonbattle injury casualty rate. Shorter transport intervals might improve morbidity and mortality of casualties, a timeframe of 48 to 72 hours for receiving definitive treatment seems feasible. Further research is necessary to identify delay factors and possible improvements in the medicalsupport organization. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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