The effect of operation Iraqi Freedom on trauma care at a military treatment facility

Abstract

Introduction: The deployment of several medical units at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) signifi cantly affected the staffi ng at William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC). We theorized that the resultant shortage of medical personnel adversely affected the outcome of trauma patients treated at our facility. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 2 groups of trauma patients, treated from 2000 to 2002 and from 2003 to 2005, that represented trauma patients cared for before and after OIF began. Results: The volume of patients decreased from 2000-2002 to 2003-2005; however, the mortality rate (4.81 vs. 5.14, p = 0.740), injury severity score, hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, and ventilator time were unchanged. This is despite the trauma diversion time increased from 32.8 minutes per day to 289.2 minutes per day. Conclusion: Since the beginning of OIF, WBAMC has been limiting in its volume of trauma patients, but this has not affected the outcomes. Copyright © Association of Military Surgeons of the US. All rights reserved.