Part 3: Combat Trauma Anesthesia with Dustin Degman, MSN, CRNA.  Dustin and Jon wrap up their conversation with an overview of how people can get involved as CRNAs in the military and how we can support our troops.

Dustin Degman, MSN, CRNA is an Associate Professor of Anesthesia at Western Carolina University works with AllCare Clinical Associates in Asheville, North Carolina as a CRNA.  He served Active Duty with the United States Air Force from 1998-2002 as a critical care nurse.  In 2010, he joined the Army Reserves as a CRNA.  Dustin was deployed in November 2012 to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Orgun-E in Paktika Province, Afghanistan where he was the sole anesthesia provider on a forward surgical team which provided damage control resuscitation to injured soldiers.  He has a special interest in trauma anesthesia and has served on trauma call teams in civilian centers as well as in his military service.  Many thanks to Dustin and the brave men and women who have served and serve in and with the United States Armed Services!

Combat Trauma Anesthesia

Part 1:  Key differences and challenges facing CRNAs serving in Forward Surgical Teams (FSTs) and managing combat trauma patients

Part 2:  Damage Control Resuscitation principles and particulars

Part 3:  Getting involved as a military CRNA and supporting our troops

 

Highlights:

“…remember why you joined… For me it was to be able to have the honor in taking care of an injured soldier who is doing the upmost thing to take care of us as Americans.”  Dustin Degman, MSN, CRNA

“If you see a guy in uniform, approach him… thank him… ask him what he does. People are very proud to say what they do for this country.”  Dustin Degman, MSN, CRNA

 

Resources:

United Service Organizations

Our Mission: The USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families.

Millions of times each year at hundreds of locations around the world, the USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families.  A nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities. The USO is not part of the U.S. government, but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the USO. (from http://www.uso.org/the-organization.aspx)

 

The United States Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing

Mission Statement:  The US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN) supports the AMEDDC&S mission by producing clinicians educated in the complexity of practice at the doctoral level and competent in the unique skills of anesthesia nursing. The graduate nurse anesthetist is prepared to function as a leader advocating for quality patient care in times of peace, and when necessary, in times of war, civil disorder, natural disaster or humanitarian missions. (from http://www.usagpan.org)

Here’s a great video overviewing military CRNAs that was produced by SRNAs with USAGPAN:  CRNA: Combat Ready Nurse Anesthetists – USAGPAN student video project. 

 

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Nurse Anesthetist Program

Philosophy: The Nurse Anesthesia Program is dedicated to the graduate education of nurse anesthetists in the uniformed services. The uniformed services require that graduates independently provide quality anesthesia care in diverse settings throughout the world. The rigorous curriculum is designed to integrate scientific principles with anesthesia theory and practice, stressing unique aspects of the federal health care system.