RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield 2005–2010
JF Canadian Journal of Surgery
JO CAN J SURG
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP S124
OP S129
DO 10.1503/cjs.024811
VO 54
IS 6 Suppl 1
A1 Ronald Brisebois
A1 Peter Hennecke
A1 Raymond Kao
A1 Vivian McAlister
A1 Joseph Po
A1 Rob Stiegelmar
A1 Homer Tien
YR 2011
UL http://canjsurg.ca/content/54/6_Suppl_1/S124.abstract
AB In late 2005, Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) was tasked with the command of the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit (R3MMU) on Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan. Preparations drew on past experience and planning. Eight complete hospital contingents were trained and deployed in rotation. Near-reality simulation training was undertaken with the combat brigade, including complete deployment of the field hospital in the exercise area. Standard operating procedures (SOP) were developed and applied by each rotation so successfully that they were adopted by the new command in late 2009. The Canadian period at R3MMU had the highest survival rate ever recorded for victims of war. Lessons learned are being applied among victims of the conflict and trauma. The experience of the R3MMU was used to successfully deploy a hospital as part of the earthquake relief effort in Haiti in 2010. The training protocols and SOP are being applied to disaster preparedness in Canadian civilian hospitals.