Medical exchange gives Japanese insight on U.S medical operations.

118th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Tennessee Army National Guard
Story by Sgt. Jess Williams

Date: 12.10.2012
Posted: 12.12.2012 00:45
News ID: 99131
Medical exchange

CAMP SENDAI, Japan – While the primary mission for the 94th Combat Support Hospital during Yama Sakura 63 was to provide level-one medical care for the exercise participants, leaders also recognized the opportunity to build personal relationships with their Japanese counterparts. The 94th Combat Support Hospital conducted a medical exchange, giving students of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force nursing school an insight on U.S. medical operations.

The unit gave a block of instruction on initiating a saline lock and the daily functions of a combat support hospital in a combat environment.

“We want to allow the Japanese to see how we take care of our soldiers from the moment they are injured all the way through the combat support hospital, but most importantly we want to foster unity between our military and our allies,” said Lt. Col. Jerrold M. Grodin, MD, U.S. Army Medical Corps, 94th Combat Support Hospital.

Because of the up-tempo and the frequent deployment of the 94th CSH, they have a tremendous amount of exposure and experience in a combat environment.

“We want to give the medics of the JGSDF access to what we do. The Japanese haven’t had experience in active fire exercises,” said Col. Brooke Scott MD, U.S. Army Medical Corps, 94th Combat Support Hospital.

One of the significant differences in medical operations between the Japanese and U.S forces is the way they manage healthcare information.

The Japanese are very sophisticated in their use of technology. This is something that certainly intrigues their interest in dealing with patient care.

The Japanese were very receptive to learning during the exchange.

“I was watching their medics and nurses throughout the entire presentation,” Grodin said. “You could see the enthusiasm and interest on their faces.”

“Their attention and questions were excellent,” Scott said. “They are very impressed with the level of sophistication and effort we provide in a combat environment, and can only hope to gain from our experience.”

The 94th CSH took advantage of fostering relationships with the Japanese healthcare providers. They took a tour of their hospital facility and ate dinner together.

“The Japanese are very polite, civil, and professional,” Scott said. “They have been exceedingly courteous and interested in what we do. We have been very well treated here at the base whether it be from the janitors or the generals.”

According to Scott, the Japanese have been exceptional hosts both socially and professionally.

“The Japanese took care of our soldiers who required medical assistance above what we had on the ground, Scott said. “They took care of them very expeditiously and provided the clinical care they needed.”

The time spent fostering the relationship between the two forces culminated during the presentation.

“We have learned a lot as a military organization through our deployments,” said Scott. “We want to part that knowledge, wisdom, and lessons learned to the Japanese defense force. We can both learn from each other through this exchange of ideas and culture.”