Citation

Lavery RF, Adis MD, Doran JV, Corrice MA, Tortella BJ, Livingston DH. J. Trauma 2000; 48(1): 125-129.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and The New Jersey Trauma Center - University Hospital, Newark, USA.

Comment In:

J Trauma. 2000 Oct;49(4):789-90; author reply 790-1

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10647577

Abstract

The potential need for rapid medical intervention and access to a trauma center after major injury is crucial to the safety and success of SWAT team operations. This manuscript describes the genesis and development of a unique model for which advanced medical care is rendered by trained health care professionals within a regional trauma system in the support of a SWAT team. The model was developed jointly by the Newark, New Jersey, Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and The New Jersey Trauma Center-University Hospital, an academic, urban Level I trauma center. After the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies in 1995, the program became operational. The medical team is composed of physicians, nurses, and paramedics. Since inception, the medical team has provided medical support for 33 tactical missions and 99 training days. Ten patients were treated: 7 agents (syncope, fractured foot, blunt head/neck trauma, lacerations), 2 bystanders (chest pain, asthma), and 1 suspect (chest pain). The advantages of the Newark model in contrast to other programs of tactical medical support, are the operational activities of the team and the cost of the program was outlined.

Language: en