A Word From Our Publisher |
|
Greetings JSOM Newsletter Subscribers,
We are deeply saddened by the recent deaths in Kabul. The staff of the Journal of Special Operations Medicine sends their condolences to all, and we especially remember and honor our fallen Servicemembers and their families in this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Announcements:
Have you checked out the Journal of Special Operations Medicine Tactical Combat Casualty Care for Military Personnel (TCCC-MP) and All Combatants (TCCC-AC) Resource Center? This free portion of our website contains a repository of all TCCC information to train, educate, and inform combat and tactical medics in the performance of their duties. All TCCC Guidelines and related information are now available as downloadable Zip Files. Click each section to expand that section. You may download either the complete Zip File or the individual files by drilling down into each section. https://www.jsomonline.org/TCCC.php
The Ranger Medic Handbook should be back in stock shortly. We are experiencing a delay that is out of our control in getting the waterproof/tearproof paper the book is printed on. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you but encourage all who are interested in purchasing the title to keep an eye on the Online Store listing. We will send out a notification via our Social Media when it is back in stock.
We are offering a special Labor Day discount off JSOM subscriptions from September 1st through the 10th. Take 20% off any subscription by entering the code Labor21 at checkout.
SOMA's 2022 Call for Proposals
The SOMSA Program Committee is seeking proposals for podium presentations and labs that address important medical challenges and issues, increase the knowledge and skills of SOF and civilian prehospital providers, and promote the development of new best practices and technologies. Interested parties can access the online submission site from 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
01 August 2021 - Newsletter Issue 202
|
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. |
|
Journal of Special Operations Medicine Featured Abstracts |
|
ABSTRACT
Background: Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) providers may encounter severe traumatic injuries, with associated hemorrhagic shock, coagulopathy, and hyperfibrinolysis. Tranexamic acid (TXA) administration represents a potential intervention in this operational environment. This study evaluated TXA availability and use among US tactical medical personnel supporting law enforcement tactical teams. Methods: An anonymous on-line survey of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Tactical Emergency Medicine (TEM) section was administered. Results: Fifty respondents were included in the final study. Fifty-four percent reported TXA availability, with 14% reporting its use at least once in the past year. Additional available resuscitative products included crystalloids (88%) and packed red blood cells (6%). Twenty-five respondents reported managing ≥ 1 patient(s) with hemorrhagic shock in the past year. Resuscitative measures included crystalloids (96%), TXA (68%), and blood products (16%). Overall, 88% of respondents were supportive of TXA use.
|
|
ABSTRACT
Military medical evacuation continues to grow both in distance and transport times. With the need for long-range transport of greater than 2 hours, crews are having to manage critical care patients for longer trips. This case study evaluates one specific event in which long-range transport of a sick noncombat patient required an enroute critical care team. Medical electronics and other equipment require special attention. Oxygen bottles and batteries for medical devices become the limiting factor in transport from point to point. Having to juggle multiple data streams requires prioritization and reassessment of interventions. Using the mnemonic "bottles, bags, batteries, battlefield environment" keeps the transport paramedic and enroute care nurse on track to effectively deliver the patient to the next level of care.
|
|
September 2021 Featured Article |
|
Case Report of Infectious Myositis in the Austere Setting
Sarkisian S, Sletten ZJ, Roberts P, Powell T. 21(2). 80 - 84. (Journal Article)
|
|
ABSTRACT
Although skin and soft tissue infections are common in the deployed setting, infectious myositis is relatively uncommon. Bacterial infection of the muscle is the most common infectious etiology and can result in a spectrum of disease, to include abscess formation to necrotizing myositis, toxic shock syndrome, and death. Diagnosis can be elusive, particularly in the early stages. Recognition and proper management are crucial to prevent complications. The authors present a case report of infectious myositis diagnosed and managed in an austere deployed environment, as well as a discussion regarding current recommendations on diagnosis and treatment.
Keywords: infectious myositis; myositis; austere; antibiotics
|
|
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. |
|
SUMMER 2021
The new JSOM podcast episode is up on our website. Join our podcast hosts, Alex and Josh, as they review 3 articles from the Summer 21 edition:
Infectious Myositis in the Austere Setting by Simon Sarkisian
Autopy-Determined Atherosclerosis in SOF Forces by Russ Kotwal
23.4% Hypertonic Saline by Eric DeSousy
|
|
Highlights from the JSOM Special Talk Series |
|
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.
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.
|
|
Please Support Our Sponsors |
|
Institutional 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.
This newsletter, we welcome back 2 subscribers -
Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA
DPS SWAT - Texas Ranger Division, Austin, TX
We are glad to have you back!
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.
|
|
Support the Journal of Special Operations Medicine |
|
KADENA AIR FORCE BASE, OKINAWA, JAPAN
DVIDS
U.S. Marines with 3rd Law Enforcement (LE) Battalion, III MEF Information Group (MIG), deposition their military working dogs (MWD): Benny, Dan, Deuce, Eddie, Sisi, and Riggs on Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 20, 2021. The MWDs are being adopted by current and past handlers, or are continuing training with different branches in the Department of Defense. During their time attached to 3rd LE, the MWDs provided III Marine Expeditionary Force with unmatched deterrence, detection, and threat-engagement capabilities.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
