CMD RPT ODS 17 MAR 91 AMD CDRS SUMMARY 17 MAR 91

File: 980811_sep96_decls6_0016.txt
Page: 0016
Total Pages: 17
Subject = CMD RPT ODS   17 MAR 91 AMD CDRS SUMMARY   17 MAR 91

Box ID = BX003208

Folder Title = 251ST EVAC HOSP-ANNEX E ODS

File Cabinet = Week-38

Parent Organization = HSC























                  ER/DPD saw a total of 10,536 patients. Our dental clinic
              provided care to 3,178 individuals. Our specialty clinics saw
              1,671. Total of outpatient encounters was 15,385. Our American
              psychiatric service saw 302 US in clinic, 32 were admitted, 23
              were returned to duty and 9 evacuated. 7,215 x-ray studies were
              done and 21,065 laboratory procedures were accomplished on 7,167
              patients. Our pharmacy filled 39,648 prescriptions. These
              figures make the 251st Evacuation Hospital, in my opinion, one of
              the busiest, if not the busiest hospitals in Operation Desert
              Storm.




                                     COMMANDERS EPILOGUE

                  As Operation Desert Shield goes to the history books, this
              commande- would share with the reader his reflections regarding
              the manpower crisis in the AMEDD. While I speak to the Medical
              Corps side of the issue, I know the situation is but a little
              less severe on the Nursing Corps side.

                  I left active duty in 1975 as the last of the Berry Planners
              were suiting up -For their 2 year pay-back +or deferment, and I
              returned to Guard duty in 1989, nearly 20 years after suspension
              of mandatory military service. During my strictly civilian
              years, I heard of decreasing active duty MC assets, but
              understood that Reserve component personnel were on call to help
              out. We all watched Ted Koppel in autumn 1990, and his numbers
              were noteworthy: 70% of the total force slotted medical assets
              are in the reserve components which are about 75% short of
              physicians across the board. I wondered what the actual
              percentage shortage of critical combat surgical doctors would be.
              I was to get some inkling of an answer.

                  When we mustered in Saudi Arabia, we looked around at our
              grey-haired colleagues.   To quote Dr. Kenneth Swan, "We realizc?d
              that the captains from the last war were all back as colonels in
              this one." To paraphrase Peter, Paul and Mary, our soncl could
              have been, "Where have all the captains gone?"

                  As commander of the 251st Evacuation Hospital, SCARNG, I
              brought 9 MCs and I DC (maxillofacial surgeon) to active duty.
              We were heavily augmented to form a medical staff of 34. Of this
              group, we had 3 captains and 7 colonels. 50% of our medical
              staff held the ranks of 05 or 06.   Our eldest was 66, and we had
              2 over 60 years old. 9 were over 50. Our youngest was 35. Our
              average age was 46.6.

                  In contrast, Dr. Swan's Vietnam hospital, the 71st Evacuation
              Hospital, had a medical staff of 21 during his 1968 tour. Two
              were LTCS, two were MAJS, and seventeen were CPTS. The eldest
              was 38 and only eight were over 35 years of age.   The average age
Unit = OTSG        
Parent = HSC