New hospital receives trial by fire

Photo By Giancarlo Casem | A simulated patient is wheeled in to the new hospital at Camp Arifjan to receive emergency treatment for an amputated leg during the mass casualty exercise, Mar. 21.  

KUWAIT

03.21.2008

Story by Spc. Christopher Grammer 

50th Public Affairs Detachment

By Pfc. Christopher Grammer
50th Public Affairs Detachment

KUWAIT - This was the scenario for Expeditionary Medical Facility – Kuwait's mass casualty exercise Mar. 21. The exercise, meant to "break-in" the brand new hospital, which opened officially Sunday, tested both the skills of the medical personnel and the readiness of its new facilities.

"This exercise is for us to give our crew a chance to rehearse in a new environment," said Navy Capt. Kevin Moore, commanding officer for EMF-K. "As we're moving into a new hospital we want to make sure our facilities can accommodate what we need to do and that we're certain where all the equipment and procedures are going to be performed."

The layout of the new medical facility at Camp Arifjan is to be used as a prototype for future medical facilities throughout theater, Moore said. The new facilities are in tremendous contrast to the tent environment used prior to the construction of the new hospital.

"This gives us an opportunity to apply more state side oriented procedures and practices which is what everyone is used to before they deploy," Moore said.

Upon arrival at the site of the incident, medical personnel evaluated more than 30 casualties and categorized each according to the severity of their condition.

Those who needed immediate care were loaded onto ambulances and rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

The casualties were taken to different parts of the hospital depending on the care they needed.

"I think our staff is more than competent," said Cdr. Marvin L. Jones, director of administration at EMF-K. "This is what we do and this is what we're here for."

The staff for the hospital is predominately highly experienced personnel and is more than adequately trained in their specific jobs, said Navy Lt. Phillip Boyer, a trauma nurse at EMF-K and a native of Pensacola, Fla. Most have previous experience in their respective field and provide quality care for injured troops.

"We do it with passion and we do it because we care," Jones said.

• Date Taken: 03.21.2008
• Date Posted: 04.15.2008 07:47
• Story ID: 18440
• Location: KW