Acu-what?

The U.S. Air Force is taking a huge initiative in a means by which to reduce the pain of injured soldiers. "Battlefield acupuncture" is becoming very popular with the military medical community, having been proven throughout ancient Chinese history. Acupuncture is a method by which tiny, hair-thin needles are inserted about one millimeter into the skin in strategic anatomical locations in order to dull a patients pain. Col. Richard Niemtzow has been developing his technique of acupuncture over the past several years, and has even trained Army Rangers this method of pain relief. In the field, this can prove to be a very valuable skill when other resources are not available. According to Niemtzow, this procedure can alleviate a patients pain for up to days at a time. Aside from the simplicity, other advantages exist such as no risk of drug addiction and allergic reactions as well.

The Air Force has arranged a training program beginning early next year for medical personnel to learn battlefield acupuncture. It is made clear this method of pain control is not meant to replace fast-acting drugs such as morphine, but offers an easy alternative for those who will benefit most from it.

Dr. Robot

Finally, in its latest stages of development, is the technology that will eventually replace us all. In collaboration with the U.S. Army Trauma Training Center, InTouch Health's RP-7 robot is in its trial stage. This robot comes complete with a tv screen and speakers, and enables doctors who are stateside to offer advice to other medical professions that are not so close to home. Currently, it is Ryder Trauma Center of the University of Miami that provides doctors for the trial program. By being able to see and communicate with the patient, these doctors can assist those on the front lines with trauma emergencies. The U.S. Army has a prototype to be used in the field at a classified location.

Currently this project leaves the robot strictly hands off, but there are talks of various attachments being available in the future. As Dr. Augenstein says, "It's OnStar on steroids."

Video Clip

Below is a link to the BBC website, where a short video clip shows what a British-run, front line hospital looks like.

Check it out.

Beam Me Up!

Professor Abrahim Katzir of Tel Aviv University has developed what used to be considered space-age technology; you know, the kind of stuff you see on Star Trek. Anyway, Prof. Katzir has been working on an invention that surgeons have been dreaming about for decades: a laser scalpel. Just as it sounds, it is a laser device used during the suturing of wounds. According to trials done on patients who underwent gallbladder surgery, the suturing done with the laser scalpel healed faster and with significantly less scarring.

Prof. Katzir also makes mention of this device being used to heal wounds on the battlefield. "Allowing soldiers to heal each other on contact with the wand." This sounds like a great idea, but chances are that the type of situation where this would be most beneficial, the wound would be so contaminated that it would need to be in a clean environment in order to properly irrigate and seal the affected area. That is just as important an issue, I believe.

New Age Training

In a recent U.S. Army press release, an outline of the modern day combat medic training program was given. Only in recent years has the military recognized the need for more advanced training in prehospital care for their healthcare providers in the field. During the cold-war era, a majority of the healthcare providers worked in hospitals alongside doctors and nurses, and generally were non-combatants. Given that enemy fighters will take any chance they get to take out a medic, knowing that they are a vital asset to any force, the need for the newly termed "combat medic" was needed. In this revamped course, brand new soldiers are being trained to act as a soldier first, medic second. Once you can assure your safety and the safety of your patient, only then can you administer care. With the most modern technology, these trainees have access to life-like manikins to make the procedures as real as possible. Trainees are also put through rigorous, real-life scenarios to simulate an active warzone where the medics must clear the area of enemy combatants before tending to patients. This cutting edge training, along with state-of-the-art technology, will lead to more soldiers being saved out in the field.

Nice Pants

Recently I visited a website that specializes in tactical clothing that a friend told me about, and found something of interest. Blackhawk.com sells trousers with I.T.S. technology, that is an integrated tourniquet system. These pants have built-in tourniquets throughout each leg that can be activated above the hemorrhaging injury when needed. Per the site, the combined weight of the I.T.S. is less than that of a traditional tourniquet. It is simple innovations like these that will save lives, and hopefully this technology will become more prevalent in military use in the near future.

Rule Number Two

Rule Number Two, by Dr. Heidi Squier Kraft, is about the experiences of a clinical psychologist in an active warzone. This book is a very powerful firsthand view of how the effects of battle have serious mental repercussions on everyone involved, including the doctor herself. In the TV series M*A*S*H*, there are two rules: "Rule number one is that young men die. Rule number two is that doctors can't change rule number one."

I enjoyed this book imensley, and certainly reccomend it to anyone who is interested. Dr. Kraft also offers much insight as to the difficulties of being a mother who is away from her family for so long, and what effects it had on them as well.

Available at amazon.com