Courtesy Photo | Lt. Yesenia Astorga, 33, Compton, Calif., medical officer, Health Service Detachment,...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The Shock Trauma Platoon is the smallest, most mobile medical support platoon of a medical battalion. It can serve as a beach evacuation point, reinforce a battalion aid station and operate as an intermediary casualty collection point. For the first time ever, they will deploy with a Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The 11th MEU will have the privilege to be the first to explore the possibilities of having an STP follow them from sea to shore this fall on their upcoming deployment.
"Our main goal is to send the war fighter back to the fight," said Lt. j.g. Gregory A. Halol, officer in charge, Health Service Detachment, Combat Logistics Battalion 11, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. "Having more providers to cure the injured will help accomplish the overall mission," said Halol, 29, San Diego, Calif.
Normally, an STP is an element located on a major forward operating base, where hospital capabilities are significantly more comprehensive than in more remote outposts. STPs, classified as a Level II medical capability, typically consist of a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, three to four physicians and approximately 45 corpsmen.
Incorporating a large body of healthcare providers to the MEU is new to the Marine Corps. The MEU will bring along standard Level I care plus some. Level I care includes a general medical officer, an independent duty corpsman and a hand full of basic corpsmen. They are adding an emergency room officer, physicians, a physician's assistant and a critical care nurse.
These new additions allow for an improved response to the mass casualty scenario, when medical facilities confront 20 or more patients in less than an hour. A group of wounded service members will have the opportunity to get treatment on site rather then being airlifted to the nearest sickbay.
"New jobs have been created for us," said Lt. j.g. Allison R. Katter, a critical care nurse, HSD, CLB-11. "Nurses usually aren't included in this type of maneuver, it's scary, but it is always humbling being with Marines."
The treatment capabilities will be similar to a hospital minus serious surgical support, which will be available on the ship. The time difference in transferring a patient to the ship rather than a forward operating base can determine whether a life is saved or not.
In combat, doctors and corpsmen commonly refer to this time difference as the "Golden Hour." Severely wounded Marines and sailors stabilized within the Golden Hour astronomically increase their chances of survival.
Mitigating patients' injuries during the Golden Hour, and thus ensuring a high chance of survival, falls squarely on the shoulders of the STP.
"It is a little nerve-wrecking going into this new position, but I am still excited," said Katter, 28, Linwood, N.Y.
The Navy has gone the extra mile to provide Marines and the locals with more versatile support as the fight continues. Humanitarian Assistance Operations, or HAO, will be another positive outcome of having the STP operating with the MEU.
The strong bond between Marines and their corpsman seems incomparable to any other relationship. But equally as important, bonds to indigenous populations will strengthen due to the MEU STP's new approach to HAO. HAO historically falls into the category of emergency relief, but in the case of the STP, HAO operations will include medical and dental engagements with the surrounding populace.
"Having the opportunity to show other countries we are friendly and to offer the locals with basic medical care they don't have access to is awesome," said Navy Lt. Yesenia Astorga, 33, Compton, Calif., medical officer with HSD, STP, CLB-11. "We plan to treat patients at no cost to them and let them know we are here to help."
In addition to the HAO, the STP sailors plan to minimize disease amongst locals by providing basic medical care, as well as classes on hygiene and sanitation.
Advanced training has become available to the members of the STP. Currently, the command has sent a medical officer and a critical care nurse to extensive training at the Navy Trauma Training Center. This training is expected to increase their proficiency in treating combat trauma.
"Parents trust me with their children," said Lt. Col. James R. Hensien, 39, Grosse Point Woods, Mich., commanding officer, CLB-11. "The least I can do is to give Marines the best medical care possible."
The beginning stages of the MEU-level STP are already in process. Once on ship, they will set the standards for future MEU STP deployments.
"Based on their performance and what they have accomplished before they leave is what will set the bar," said Petty Officer 1st Class Percival Boral, 31, Oxnord, Calif., an independent duty corpsman, HSD, CLB-15. "We will build from them. There is always room for improvement."
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.16.2009 18:05 |
| Story ID: | 32477 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,033 |
| Downloads: | 276 |
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