Use of host nation facilities as medical force multipliers at the Operation Joint Guard Intermediate Staging Base, March to October 1997

Abstract

In March 1997, a transition occurred in the health service support of the intermediate staging base of Operation Joint Guard in Taszar, Hungary, by which a level III, 32-bed Deployable Medical Systems facility staffed by 178 personnel was replaced by a level II+ clinic staffed by 48 personnel with no organic surgical or blood transfusion capabilities. This was achieved by the use of local host nation facilities for surgery, sophisticated diagnostics, and medical specialty hospitalization. In the ensuing 7 months, 34 American patients were admitted to Hungarian hospitals for a total of 100 inpatient days, and 8 of them underwent surgery. This successful use of host nation facilities as medical force multipliers allowed great savings in cost and personnel and should be considered in future operations other than war that involve low-intensity conflict.