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Expeditionary Medical Unit Reaches New Level of Health Care for Troops
Story Number: NNS031023-14
Release Date: 10/23/2003 1:01:00 PM
By Sgt. Bradly Shaver, Combined Joint Task Force Public Affairs
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (NNS) -- The Navy's first Expeditionary Medical Unit (EMU) here recently expanded it's medical care to a Level III environment for personnel supporting Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa.
The new services of Level III include an operating room with an intensive care/medical-surgical unit, a laboratory and radiology rooms, expanded sick call hours and casualty receiving.
With Level III care, the EMU is able to perform surgical and orthopedic procedures, and the unit is able to hold and rehabilitate service members back to duty without having to leave theatre, according to Cmdr. William M. Hall, internal medicine specialist and executive officer.
"We also have an additional level of diagnostics, such as X-Ray, laboratory analysis, ultra sound and a bigger pharmacy. As we advance each care-level, not only do we increase the number of interventions here in theatre, but we also decrease the number of medical evacuations," he said.
Hall explained that, on one occasion, an Airman, facing minor heart problems, was going to be medically evacuated out of theatre and would further be lost to his unit. Instead, he was transferred to the EMU and after a small medical procedure, he quickly returned to duty with his command.
Before the EMU arrived to Camp Lemonier Sept. 14, Army medics provided Level I basic medical care to personnel aboard camp. In the case of a mass casualty, patients were evacuated to the French military hospital in Djibouti City, Hospitalier de Bouffard, where they could receive urgent surgery.
"We can now do what the Hospital Bouffard does. It may not be everything they do, but for the most part, we can take care of service members within a day and get them back out on duty," said Capt. Bill Kinney, commanding officer.
According to Kinney, the medical presence aboard the base is growing in very significant ways. He feels good about the EMU's capabilities now and knows the command's readiness will steadily increase.
"We want everyone to know whether for prevention or treatment of illness or injury, we'll be there. Force protection is our mission, and we're pleased to bring enhanced care to coalition forces in the Horn of Africa," he said.
Making up the Level III care includes receiving top of the line equipment and new additions for the EMU.
"We've got three new buildings and the best equipment out there," said Hall. "We've got the exact equipment they use in hospitals at the United States. It's not lower-grade field equipment; it's the same gear you would see at our hospital at home. Having this type of equipment enhances the level of care that we can bring, even in a remote area like Djibouti."
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