Deployment to Afghanistan: Perioperative Nursing Outside the Comfort Zone

Multiple missions are assigned to the Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, including providing combat medical and medical support services to US and coalition forces and providing resources to strengthen security and build a solid health care infrastructure. Craig Joint Theater Hospital located at Bagram Airfield is staffed primarily with Air Force personnel serving a six-month tour of duty. The three-suite OR is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as is the rest of the hospital. In 2009, health care providers at Craig Joint Theater Hospital treated the highest number of casualties in the history of the US involvement in the Afghanistan conflict. They assessed and categorized patients using the Injury Severity Score to evaluate the number and acuity of patients treated. During one nurse's deployment in 2009, practice challenges occurred daily and personnel quickly learned how to adapt using the resources available. In addition to regular perioperative duties, Bagram Airfield perioperative nurses mentored a number of Afghan physicians and nurses.