Iraq Blog VI

Nothing Spared to Save Our Soldiers

Baghdad is still a tough place. Though there were apparently a couple of IED episodes in Baghdad while I was there, I was not aware of when they happened. However, a visit to the Combat Support Hospital (CSH) inside the Green Zone had a powerful impact on my understanding of the reality of war.

I met the doctors and nurses on duty that day. They walked me through their sobering business as if I was a patient arriving by helicopter, as most of their patients do.

I noticed a flag had been hung on the ceiling of the doorway through which wounded soldiers would be wheeled. I was told, “We want the American flag to be the first thing they see here. We want them to know they have come to a place where no effort will be spared to give them what they need. We want them to know once they get here, there is a 98-percent chance they will survive.”

In general, the staff observed that, thankfully, trauma treatment for combat-related injuries had slowed dramatically. We walked into the trauma center. During my visit, it lay quiet, but, on some days, as many as 40 soldiers will lay on those tables, victims of explosions, bullets or other combat injuries. The chief nurse who briefed me said, “Sometimes all three of these tables will be full, the floor will be covered with blood, and there will be a line of gurneys waiting, but the most remarkable thing to observe is the calm professional way in which this team provides care. Nothing is spared.”

After a wounded soldier has been stabilized, and the extent of injuries determined, most must go to the operating area. We walked the pathway along which so many had been rolled. I found myself imagining what would go through their minds as they deal with the pain and uncertainty of their circumstances.

Secretary Leavitt and Chief of Staff, Rich McKeown on a tour of the CSH.

We entered the operating area. At the moment we were there, only two of the several operating theaters were in use.

I looked through the window of the dual swinging doors, and could see the body of what was obviously an Iraqi man, lying naked on the operating table, with a team of four working over him. He had lost a hand, had a serious wound to his head, and the team had his chest open working to remove a piece of metal.

The chief nurse explained to me he was Iraqi, and appeared to have been setting an explosive device of some type when it had blown up prematurely. He had received the blow he had intended for one of our soldiers.

What interested me is that the United States provides him the same care we would one of our soldiers. Something tells me that isn’t true of the insurgents and the terrorists.

In the second operating theater was another Iraqi, wounded in combat. It was another scene where the nature of his injuries made the seriousness of war graphically apparent. I won’t go into detail, except to say they were extreme. The surgeon, a youngish looking guy who was on his second tour, conceded to me that the first time around it was somewhat shocking, but this time, he knew what to expect. The emergency surgeries are, he said, “a professional challenge like none other I have ever faced.”

It is not unusual to have a wounded American soldier arrive at the CSH, get stabilized and be on an airplane to Germany on the same day.

On my way out the door, I saw a little Iraqi boy who was being treated for a poisonous snake bite. His father was at his side. A significant part of our military medical resources in Iraq go to provide treatment to local citizens. One thing I know is that their view of America and Americans will never be the same.

As Prime Minister Maliki told me, “Health care is one of the best messengers of peace between nations.”

Comments

M*A*S*H was a very romantic version without all the near real time reports. When an automobile accident happens they may or may not get any interviews. One someon is hit with an IED there is video footage and news reports. Like an autoaccident its very hard to watch but almost impossible to turn away from.

As they say "Good work never comes back to haunt you." Helping those serving in Iraq as well as the locals goes a long way to makeing things better.

The only upside is the advancement of technique and testing of products like QuickClot. The stories then come home and people discuss if the should be used during a pandemic when medical aide could be scarce after an autoaccident. Turns out quickclot could do more harm than good unless a war is on.

Its good that America has more than computers, TV shows and Britney Spears to offer the world.

Kobie
"The bonds between countries are not formed in empty ceremonial handshakes between dignitaries at far off parties, but in the hearts of their citizens." - Kobie Tau

Posted by: Kobie | November 08, 2008 at 11:58 AM

Dear Secretary Michael Leavitt:

I just read the press release announcing the new board for The AHIC Successor Inc. Are dentists represented? Darrell K. Pruitt DDS

Posted by: Darrell Pruitt | November 12, 2008 at 02:54 PM

Secretary Leavitt,

There has not been a blog entry since Nov. 7th. I'm sure things are busy in DC and you have alot of things to set up.

I hope there will be a signoff entry. You really helped open up a part of governemnt to the people with web casts, summits with non government folks and these blogs.

I hope the experiance was not only good and elightning but proved that people with differnt views, agendas and training can blog well together.

Regards,
Kobie

"Each is given a list of rules; a shapeless mass; a bag of tools. And each must fashion, ere life is flown, A stumbling block, or a Stepping-Stone."

Posted by: Kobie | November 15, 2008 at 08:10 AM

As others have recently written, I too wish to say thank you for standing by the President in upholding his conservative, life-supporting, conscience-driven policy in the field of healthcare and for pharmacists. This issue is a huge indicator of the direction our country will be going. Forcing an individual to act against his conscience, or lose his job, definitely crosses the line between democracy and a downhill slide to no freedom at all. You efforts are appreciated and will not be forgotten by the One who's approval matters most of all.

Posted by: Patty Gibbs | November 20, 2008 at 11:40 AM

Secretary Leavitt,

Thank you for your blogs, the webcasts, working on pandemic flu and all the things you and your staff did that I do not yet know about.

I think Thomas Jefferson said "The length of a mans shadow is measured by the institutions he leaves behind."

You have helped so many common men and women understand, get involved and do something in a way that was civil and profitable. The Shriners say "A man is never so tall as when he bends down to help another"

Thank you for you vision. Thank you staff for their work and the time they also took.

May you have a wide path, fair winds, following seas and God's speed sir. "For in God we trust"

Regards,
Kobie

Posted by: Kobie | November 22, 2008 at 08:22 AM

Dear Secretary Leavitt,

I do not support President Bush but I do support your efforts in becoming a great Ambassador to the world. You have put a caring American face to healthcare concerns in other countries. Your blogs on Africa and other areas have provided an opportunity for us to look deeply into a region's health issues. Thank you for sharing your empathy and knowledge.
I hope you will find a way to continue your blogging experience.
I have much more to learn from you.

Posted by: Science Teacher | November 22, 2008 at 01:56 PM

To who ever reads this. I know the blog is inactive but the lessons go on. I'm seeing a Thanksgiving lesson.

Thank you and our staff for the blog. May you and everyonehave a happy thanksgiving.

When so much of the world has so little, be grateful that we have so much. Fortunatly we had another year without H2H H5N1, another year to get more prepared.

I'm just sorry that Wlgreens, starbucks, Roses, K-Mart, etc have decided to open stores today. While company VPs and CFOs spend the day at home eating and relaxing with friends their employes have been told to toil at work. In my area drug stores will be open but the pharmacy or druggest will be closed.

I fear that is how it will go during the pandemic. Today shows things to come. No business person wants to close - even for one day, one holiday all Americans can pause and share with each other or those around them.

I will remeber those stores closed today - may you have profit and good times.

I celebrate those who can not close - military, hospitals, fire, police, EMS, some drug stores, clergy, power, water and sewage workers, telephone and internet IT. Guards, hotel, train, airplane, grocery store, Salvation Army and those feeding others, farmers and food workers, Macy's day parade folks, etc who are helping others - I will not forget you and wish you well.

I will not overlook the Native Americans who got this party started, saved many of the first settelers and saved many as wind talkers.

I will not forget those who opened needlessly. In search of a dollar they asked or made someone else work today. I can not wish you well, but I will not wish you harm. I just will not forget but learn. I really wish and hope those companies learn how not to open for one day.

If they can not close for just one day that all Americans celebrate regardless of race, creed, color or national origion - how will they close for a pandemic without resistance ?

Sorry if I'm torqued a bit. Please only take the positive parts.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Best wishes to the rest of the world,
Kobie

Posted by: Kobie | November 27, 2008 at 07:37 AM

Dear Secretary Leavitt,

I will miss you blog. I am a big fan of your views on lowering healthcare costs and improving outcomes. I hope Pres. Obama and Mr. Daschle take a few hours to meet with you prior to implementing their changes. There must be continuity in our healthcare strategy for it to survive. You've shown us that it's a much bigger issue than what can effectively be addressed in 4-8 years.

Posted by: Ryan Patterson | December 17, 2008 at 12:59 AM

Dear Secretary Leavitt,

I hope the things you started live on. Today at 2pm is the plan first webcast. We are still pushing the word out for people to listen, learn and ask questions.

Sadly bird flu or HP -H5N1 expands into Cambodia, India, China, and Korea. Even without the infections, people should prepare.

Thank you and I hope all that you started is carried forward by Tom Daschel. Many continue to work on H5N1.

Best wishes for the holidays to you, your staff and family.

Allen
Virginia
Active citizen.

Posted by: Allen | December 17, 2008 at 08:12 AM

Thank you Secretary Leavitt for all your hard work.

Posted by: Robby | December 22, 2008 at 02:34 PM

Dear Secretary Leavitt,

Thank you very much for all of your hard work. You have been an inspiration for me here at HHS, and I hope that this blog will remain accessible even after you depart.

Thanks again, and Happy Holidays.

Sincerely,

Daniel

Posted by: Daniel Kahane | December 29, 2008 at 12:04 PM

Secretary Leavitt,

Thank you for this blog and for your leadership in health care reform. As a worker in a state health program I was always encouraged by your ideas and vision. I've repeated the automobile analogy about our payment system a number of times.

I also appreciated that you understood that the details of a market-based plan are very important. I very much hope that your approach is continued under the new administration.

Posted by: Curt | January 15, 2009 at 10:42 AM