Greetings JSOM Newsletter Subscribers,
We hope everyone had a safe Memorial Day weekend.
The 2021 CMC (Combat Medical Care) conference is happening July 13th & 14th. This virtual symposium is one of the largest meetings on TCCC principals outside of the US. For more information please see the attached flyer.
"The Special Operations Medical Association (SOMA) is looking forward to its 2021 Scientific Assembly (SOMSA) in Charlotte, North Carolina. We have an Important Update regarding In-Person Registration: Based on current city/state and convention center safety regulations we are now able to accept on-site/walk in registrations. Early registration is still encouraged for planning purposes. For the most current information and to register, please visit the SOMA website."
|
Respectfully,
Michelle DuGuay Landers, MBA, BSN, RN
Breakaway Media, LLC
Publisher
Journal of Special Operations Medicine (JSOM)
Lt Col, USAF/NC (Ret)
publisher@jsomonline.org
|
A note about the newsletter design: This newsletter has been created using one cohesive font and a unified JSOM brand and color design. If multiple fonts or unusual colors are appearing in your copy, it is a result of your personal settings or the settings attached to your email. For optimal viewing of this newsletter, we suggest opening the newsletter in a browser. |
ABSTRACT
Background: The utility of prehospital thoracic needle decompression (ND) for tension physiology in the civilian setting continues to be debated. We attempted to provide objective evidence for clinical improvement when ND is performed and determine whether technical success is associated with provider factors. We also attempted to determine whether certain clinical scenarios are more predictive than others of successful improvement in symptoms when ND is performed. Methods: Prehospital ND data acquired from one air ambulance service serving 79 trauma centers consisted of 143 patients (n = 143; ND attempts = 172). Demographic and clinical outcome data were retrospectively reviewed.
|
|
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Sucking chest wounds occur when injuries penetrate the thorax and inhalation results in air entering the pleural cavity. Well documented in the prehospital environment, treatment should be chest seal application to attempt prevention of an expanding pneumothorax. However, a seal might occlude the pathway for the escape of air and lead to a worsening tension pneumothorax. Methods: The author conducted a literature search of studies reporting the efficacy of various chest seals for treating sucking chest wounds and the prevention of a tension pneumothorax. Study results were compared to current international guidelines.
|
|
June 2021 JSOM Feature Article |
|
Secondary Traumatic Stress in Emergency Services Systems (STRESS) Project: Quantifying Personal Trauma Profiles for Secondary Stress Syndromes in Emergency Medical Services Personnel With Prior Military Service
Renkiewicz GK, Hubble MW. 21(1). 55 - 64. (Journal Article)
|
|
ABSTRACT
Background: EMS personnel are often exposed to traumatic material during their duties. It is unknown how prior military experience affects the presence of stress in EMS personnel. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Nine EMS agencies provided data on call mix, while individuals were recruited during training evolutions. The survey evaluated sociodemographic factors and the relationship between childhood trauma and previous military service using the Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire, Life Events Checklist DSM-5, and Military History Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics calculated personal trauma profiles, comparing civilian EMS personnel to those with prior service. Hierarchical linear regression assessed the predictive utility of military history to scores on the Impact of Events Scale-Revised. Results: A total of 765 EMS personnel participated in the study; 52.8% were male, 11.4% were minorities, and 11.6% had prior military service. A total of 64.4% of civilian EMS providers had any stress syndrome, while that number was 71.8% in those with prior military service. Hierarchical linear regression identified that years of service and the performance of combat patrols or other dangerous duty accounted for a unique criterion variance in the regression model. Conclusions: Prior military service or combat deployments alone do not contribute to the presence of stress syndromes. However, performance of combat patrols or other dangerous duties while deployed was a contributing factor. These results must be interpreted holistically, as other factors contribute to the presence of vicarious trauma (VT) in EMS personnel who are also veterans.
Keywords: paramedic; EMS; military; compassion fatigue; vicarious trauma; burnout; secondary traumatic stress
|
|
The Journal of Special Operations Medicine Podcast |
|
The JSOM podcast digs deeper into the articles and subjects that matter to our readers. Our podcast hosts, Captains Alex Merkle and Josh Randles, tackle articles from the journal based on merit, interest, and application for operators in the field. In addition, the podcast features a special, not to be missed Interview Series with leaders, doctors, and authors. |
|
Spring 2021
The new JSOM podcast episode is up on our website and on Apple podcasts. For this episode, our podcast hosts Alex and Josh take a deep dive into civilian practice with the world-renowned rotor wing tactical detail from Los Angeles. Their interview with Deputy Steve Doucette of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept will give you a better understanding of the original transfer of tactical skills from military to law enforcement setting after the Korean war. We then find out about the absorption of tactical medicine into special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams and its recent drastic evolution, thanks to the hard-won lessons from the battlefield. Our interview ends with an outstanding overview of the difference between a tactical medic, tactical medicine, and TEMS. Please let us know what you think about our foray into civilian medicine.
Our Interview with Dr. Stephen Rush is now available on the JSOM podcast. One of the true pillars of our SOF medical community, Doc Rush helps us learn more about the tremendous advances in special operations en route care over the last 20 years. We also get to hear about his background and how he serendipitously become involved with pararescue in the latter part of his civilian physician career. Looking back through the retrospectoscope, he is able to describe the training and level of en route care provided at the turn of the last century.
|
|
Highlights From the JSOM Special Talk Series:
|
|
MSG (Ret.) Rick Hines I
Rick Hines has a long history in Special Operations and is currently an instructor Special Warfare Training Group. He teaches at the SF Medical Sergeant Recertification Course and focuses on anesthesia and surgical care in the austere environment. Rick discusses the benefits of recycling at the 18D course, historical basis, and current practice of surgical care and anesthesia for the far forward Special Operations medic.
Dr. Kyle Stigall
Dr. Stigall attended the United States Air Force Academy for undergrad and the University of Kentucky for medical school. He is currently a fourth-year general surgery resident at Brooke Army Medical Center. He completed a research year at the Naval Medical Research Unit in San Antonio in 2020 with a focus on trauma resuscitation and plans to apply to the Air Force Special Operations Surgical Team next year.
COMING SOON
COL (Ret) Russ Kotwal, MD, MPH
Dr. Kotwal spent nearly 30 years in the military and more than 15 years in operational assignments with the 25th Infantry Division, 75th Ranger Regiment, and U.S Army Special Operations Command. He deployed to combat 12 times with the Rangers -- nine times to Afghanistan and three to Iraq. He conducted hundreds of combat ground and air missions as the senior medical provider and is highly decorated, including five Bronze Star medals, two Joint Service Commendation medals for Valor, and two combat jump stars, among many others. Dr. Kotwal is also a master parachutist, master flight surgeon, and Ranger qualified. He is credited with numerous novel training and technology initiatives, professional publications, and national and international presentations related primarily to prehospital medicine on the battlefield. Dr. Kotwal is an adjunct professor for both the Texas A&M Health Science Center and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He has been an advisor for the Defense Health Agency’s Joint Trauma System and Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, as well as the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a Hero of Military Medicine award recipient, a Distinguished Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, an inductee into the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame, and the current president of the Special Operations Medical Association.
|
|
Institutional Subscribers and Re-subscribers |
|
The JSOM is incredibly grateful to have the support of many institutions around the world. We would like to thank our recent institutional subscribers and re-subscribers for their support by acknowledging them in our eNewsletter and, when applicable, sharing their social media information.
Visit https://jsom.us/Library for a full list of institutions that are currently subscribing to the JSOM. We are beginning a campaign to expand our institutional subscriptions. If you think your company would benefit from an institutional subscription, let us know! We'll be happy to talk to you and get the ball rolling. You don't have to be a university or medical center to subscribe - we have many EMS units, government agencies, and military medical units both in the United States and abroad.
Are you on the list? Great! Need to know how to access our resources? You can either contact your head librarian, or shoot an email to subscriptions@JSOMonline.org.
Institutions receive either a print copy of our journal, digital access, or both. Digital subscribers have unlimited access to our full compendium of articles, journals, and the ATP-P. If you are a student, researcher, doctor, or other medical professional at one of these institutions, please contact your librarian for login details. Additionally, the digital resources are typically available 2-3 weeks ahead of print publication.
If your institution is not on the list and you would like more information about our institutional access, contact our subscriptions manager, Dr. Scott Graverson.
|
|
FLAGSTAFF, AZ, UNITED STATES
Senior Airman Kasey, 943rd Aerospace Medicine Squadrons creates simulated wounds, Moulage, on a volunteer. Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 943rd Rescue Group successfully completed training scenarios that incorporated highly mobile, temporary facilities in remote, austere locations while still performing combat search and rescue operations from 30 April through 3 May. Exercise Northern Assessment was safely conducted using current CDC protocols and all service members were fully vaccinated.
Do You Have a Photo to Share?
Please send us your approved medical action images for future covers, our journal Photo Gallery, bi-weekly eNewsletters, and JSOM social media! All images must include captions in the emails in which they are sent. Images for print must be high resolution, at least 300 dpi. Images for the eNewsletter and social media must be at least 400px wide, 72 dpi.
|
|
Breakaway Media, LLC, is woman service-disabled veteran-owned small business (WOSB and SDVOSB) registered with the Central Contracting Office of the Department of Defense
DUNS #070397122 / Cage #6F0Z6
Primary SIC Code - 2721
Journal of Special Operations Medicine
This disclaimer pertains to any publication (aka, "publications") written or electronic set forth by Breakaway Media, LLC (BAM) and includes, but is not limited to: The Journal of Special Operations Medicine (JSOM), social media posts to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, the JSOM eNewsletter, the JSOM website, and any promotional materials published by BAM. The views and opinions expressed in these publications are those of the authors, contributors, and sponsors of the JSOM and BAM, and do not necessarily reflect those of the JSOM, the JSOM Editorial Board ("the editorial board"), BAM, or its affiliates. Neither the JSOM, the editorial board, BAM, nor its affiliates hold themselves responsible for statements or products discussed in any BAM publications. Unless so stated, material in BAM publications does not reflect endorsement, official attitude, or position of the JSOM, the editorial board, BAM, or affiliates. Products advertised have not been tested by the JSOM, the editorial board, BAM, or its affiliates, and, as such, cannot be held liable for any injury or death caused by the use or misuse of the products contained herein. Neither BAM, the editorial board, nor its affiliates, make any warranty, representation, endorsement, or guarantee of products advertised, discussed, tweeted, retweeted, or shared any publication, to include the assumption of any liability whatsoever arising out of the application, use, or misuse of any product. As a medical publication, we are committed to sharing new technology and products we feel may be of interest to our readers, and encourage all readers and users of said products to use with caution and under proper authorization and professional guidance.
Tagging the JSOM on Instagram / Disclaimer
We assume by tagging us on Instagram, you are authorized to disseminate the photograph you are sharing with us. If you are a photographer whose image has been used or shared without authorization, please notify us immediately so we may give you proper credit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
