Trauma Resuscitation The Ryder Trauma Center treats over 5,000 Level I Trauma patients a year. In preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, the Ft. Sam Houston, Texas based 628th Forward Surgical Team (FST) has conducted a training rotation through the Army Trauma Training Center located at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami Florida. The Ryder Trauma Center is the only certified Level I Trauma Center in South Florida. The hospital provides healthcare for a 200 mile radius and provides trauma resuscitation and surgical services for 9 million people Training Teams to Be a Team Safety First! The training was designed to provide the 628th Forward Surgical Team with real world training and team building skills in order to facilitate and maximize their success in treating patients on the battlefield. The emphasis of this training revolves around the concepts of patient and team safety as well as team work. This distinctive instruction was spear headed by the Army Trauma training Center’s (ATTC) staff. The ATTC staff makes certain that the FST personifies the team concept in all aspects of training. Developing, executing, and sustaining these concepts are the main focus of the training exercises. The ATTC slogan “Teach the Pack to Run as One” was manifested as the ATTC staff ensured each team member understands how their individual role impacts the overall success of the team.
 Under Pressure Mass Casualty The 628th FST experienced the realism of saving lives under the most extreme conditions. Executing patient care under intense stress is vital to patient and team success on the battlefield. To accomplish this task, the ATTC staff orchestrated a mass casualty (MASCAL) exercise. The (MASCAL) training permitted team members to incorporate and implement team concepts with procedures vital to providing the best patient care to save life and limb of soldiers injured on the battlefield. The exercise also helped the team commander assess the overall readiness of his unit prior to deployment. According to LTC Rinehart commander for the 628th FST, “the MASCAL exercise allowed us to operate under adverse conditions and gauge how well the 628th performs under pressure”.
Education and Experience Adaptability, Planning and Teamwork. One more exceptional aspect to the training was conducted in the Trauma Resuscitation Unit (TRU). The 628th FST conducted rotations within the TRU and the Operating Room (OR). Although the FST is made up of highly skilled medical professionals, caring for trauma patients within the TRU offered the best opportunity to treat patients with injuries similar to those seen in combat. PFC Hoffman, one of the team’s soldier medics stated, “The exclusive focus on trauma allows the FST to gain relevant and realistic experiences not normally witnessed in the civilian sector”. Adaptability, planning and teamwork made it possible for the team to overcome unforeseen obstacles relating to patient care and management. According to 2LT Garza, executive officer of the 628th FST, “ATTC provided our unit with the best possible pre-deployment trauma training. The training allowed the FST to utilize their medical education and experience, develop patient management skills, and the implementation of team work. The soldiers of the FST are excellent at what they do and I am honored to be part of this team. I would like to thank the ATTC staff and the University of Miami for allowing us to train as a team”.
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