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Preparing a deployed role 3 medical treatment facility for COVID-19 in Afghanistan
  1. Ivor J S Lewin1,
  2. D J Krasucki2,
  3. R P Stuart2 and
  4. B K White2
  1. 1 Joint Hospital Group (South East), Frimley, Surrey, UK
  2. 2 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, USAF, Washington, DC, USA
  1. Correspondence to LtCol Ivor J S Lewin, Joint Hospital Group (South East), Frimley, Surrey, UK; ijslewin{at}doctors.org.uk

Abstract

The Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram Airfield is the coalition role 3 facility for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-led Operation RESOLUTE SUPPORT in northern Afghanistan. The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 presented the challenges of limiting viral transmission, disease force protection, specific protection of healthcare workers and management of patients with COVID-19, all while continuing to provide high-quality care for battlefield trauma. The estimated COVID-19 threat led to the introduction of enhanced force protection measures across the Combined Joint Operations Area-Afghanistan. Surveillance testing of high-risk groups at coalition locations was established. Non-essential movements were restricted and quarantine periods instigated. Protection of healthcare workers and patients was improved with enhanced personal protective equipment as well as structural, procedural and personnel changes across the role 3 facility in order to limit viral exposure and transmission. This occurred in a resource-limited environment without degrading overall clinical capability.

  • accident & emergency medicine
  • surgery
  • trauma management
  • infectious diseases
  • anaesthetics

This article is made freely available for personal use in accordance with BMJ’s website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.

https://bmj.com/coronavirus/usage

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001610

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    Footnotes

    • IJSL, DJK, RPS and BKW contributed equally.

    • Contributors IJSL had the original idea. IJSL coordinated and edited the manuscript.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.