Members in Iraq—from the front line - Brief Article

AORN Journal,  Nov, 2003  

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The 28th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) is now a fixed facility in Baghdad, Iraq. Elizabeth "Betsy" Vane, RN, CNOR, MAJ, from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, along with nine other active duty perioperative nurses from Fort Rucker, Fort Bragg, Fort Jackson, Fort Meade, and Fort Gordon have been working at this site for a month and have done more than 250 surgeries.

"We are busy doing good work," said Major Vane. "Our unit first went to the deserts of Iraq and did 877 cases from April 11 to August 21, 2003, before moving the hospital and patients to the city of Baghdad. In June 2003, a smaller piece of the 28th CSH was set up in Tikrit and has done more than 200 also."

"Establishing a fixed hospital in a war-torn country that will eventually be returned to the citizens of that country presents some interesting challenges," said Major Vane." Our field steam sterilizers are on the roof of the hospital, and we have been tasked to establish 'inside' autoclaves ASAP."

These sterilizers weigh about 300 pounds each and are self-contained. The legs are really the front and back of the box when the unit is closed so it can be moved. "They are a very hardy and reliable piece of equipment, and can be adjusted to any kind of outdoor situation," Major Vane adds.

Editor's note: We hope to maintain communications with Major Vane and the 28th CSH on an ongoing basis, and will provide updates through AORN Connections as often as possible.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group