Gawande, Atul 52-64

Casualties of War

Refers to military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or killed during conflict.

U.S. Department of Defense

Federal agency responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government related to national security and the military.

Combat deaths

Military fatalities in the course of fighting during wars.

Lethality

The capacity to cause death; in military contexts, refers to the effectiveness of weapons and medical responses in limiting deaths.

Trauma care

Medical treatment that is administered to a patient with a severe or life-threatening injury.

Mortality rates

The measure of the number of deaths in a given population, often expressed as a rate per 1,000 individuals.

Forward Surgical Teams (FSTs)

Military units that provide surgical care close to the battlefield to reduce the time between injury and treatment.

Combat Support Hospitals (CSHs)

Mobile military hospitals designed to provide advanced medical care and are capable of being deployed in combat zones.

Golden Hour

The critical period after injury during which prompt medical treatment significantly improves survival chances.

Blast injuries

Injuries caused by explosions, typically resulting in various types of trauma including shrapnel wounds.

Damage control surgery

A surgical approach aimed at controlling hemorrhage and preventing contamination, rather than performing definitive repairs at the initial surgery.

Acinetobacter baumannii

A bacterium that can cause severe infections, particularly in patients with weakened immune systems or severe injuries.

Evacuation

The organized removal of soldiers from a battlefield to a medical care facility.

Statistics tracking

The systematic collection and analysis of data regarding injuries and treatment outcomes to improve medical responses.

Medical personnel shortage

A lack of sufficient medical staff to adequately cover the demands placed on healthcare facilities, especially in combat situations.