A computer simulation and analysis of the Forward Surgical Team

Abstract

To meet the challenge of providing effective combat health care on the modern battlefield, the Army Medical Department is designing a unit that will provide far forward surgery to stabilize the most seriously injured casualties. A Forward Surgical Team (FST) can provide emergency surgery to casualties prior to evacuation to an Army hospital. The model documented in this thesis is a simulation of casualty flow through a FST that will help determine if the intended force structure is adequate to perform its mission. The model uses data from the Deployable Medical Systems Task-Time-Treater database to simulate medical treatment of surgical patients. The model is designed to measure the utilization rates of each member of the FST based upon expected casualty arrival rates and types. It also provides data on operating room times and casualty waiting times. This data can be used to analyze the effects changes in the force structure of the FST have on health care operations. By varying input parameters, medical planners can use the model to help determine resource requirements for specific missions. The model could be modified to simulate casualty flow through other units with similar missions or expanded to reflect other types of field medical units.