Operations DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM - Environmental Health Experience

File: 970207_aadch_019.txt
Page: 019
Total Pages: 46

                  DISEASE AND NON-BATTLE INJURY (DNBI) RATES
              REPORTED BY USCENTAF MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES
                                                        DURING
                    OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM

       I. INTRODUCTION. This document provides a chronology of the
       DNBI reporting system as it was developed and directed by
       USCENTAF, describes the data collection and reporting procedures
       employed, provides case definitions for the syndromes reported,
       lists and interprets the actual data reported, summarizes
       problems encountered, and recommends corrective action for future
       deployments.

       II. REPORTING SYSTEM.

            1. USCENTAF/SG desired theater-wide DNBI reporting to detect
       disease outbreaks and make prompt medical intervention possible.
       Such data was also recognized as invaluable for future medical
       mobility planning and for medical intelligence uses.

            2. When USAF medical treatment facilities (MTFs) deployed
       under Operation DESERT SHIELD in early August 1990, no DNSI
       reporting requirement, system or guidance was in clace. Needed
       was specific guidance on the desired data, the rate calculation
       method, and the report format and frequency.

            3. USCENTAF/SG desired a reporting system that would be
       compatible with that used by the U.S. Army and Navy forces in the
       same theater of operations. However, since no joint service
       system was in place, USCENTAF/SG elected to mirror the U.S. Navy
       list of reportable DNBI syndromes.

            4. On 7 September 1990, USCENTAF/SG issued instructions for
       the collection of DNBI data to all USAF MTFs deployed in Oman,
       Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar.
       The USAF squadron medical elements (SMEs) at Cairo West and Diego
       Garcia received this message and also participated. Weekly
       reporting by message to USCENTAF/SG and HQ TAC/SG began as of 10
       September 1990.
            5. The list of reportable syndromes was modified on 18
      September 1990 by USCENTAF/SG. "Miscellaneous medical
      conditions" was replaced with "sexually transmitted diseases", a
      syndrome not included in the U.S. Navy list. This modification
      was sent to USAF MTFs by message.
            
           6. On I5 November 1990, another modification was made.
      USCENTCOM/CCSG issued instructions for a uniform reporting system
      for use by all U.S. forces. This new and final format included
      case definitions and is reflected in the attached data charts.

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