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(6) (U) No patient care supplies were available except through
other ATH sections (medical ward, surgical ward) to provide barest
necessities to psychological casualties (toiletries, pajamas, beds or
cots, sheets, blankets or towels); nor administrative supplies; i.e.,
sufficient supplies of pens and SF 600's.

(7) (U) The operating room is functional - only recently did we
finally solve the problem of pneumatic power for the anesthesia
ventilator with the acquisition of "Lox boxes". This is, however in
itself a problem since the liquid oxygen bleeds down very frequently.
If this was a more remote location with limited supply capability,
these too would be inoperable; a more viable solution would be to
procure electronic powered ventilators. In addition, monitoring
capabilities are very hampered, there are now available very portable
monitors which include capabilities such as 2-channel pressure
recorders with trending, as well as, oximetry, EKG and caporgraphy in
very compact modules which are readily transportable.

(8) (U) There is a paucity of suction and oxygen supply equipment
throughout the ATH e.g. ER, wards.

(9) (U) Arterial blood gas laboratory capability should be a
requirement to enhance our ability to care for casualties, even in
the face of delayed and scarce aeromedical evacuation capabilities.

(10) (U) Consistent with this, we should also have more adequate
Drespiratory therapy capabilities e.g. ventilators so as to be able
to handle postop recovery patients awaiting transfer to 3E or 4E
facilities or to be able to support a chemical nerve agent casualty
while he recovers from his insult.

(11) (U) Large numbers of medications were outdated or missing.

(12) (U) TA's did not take into account most common medical
illnesses seen during initial days: no nonsteroidal anti
inflammatory meds (NSAID); inadequate selection and amounts of oral
antibiotics; no anti-tussive preparations; insufficient
anti-diarrhea! medications; etc.

(13) (U) No suction available in the ER.

(14) (U) EKG machine broken, not available to date.

(15) (U) Cloth sandbags were old and fragile would not last long
before rotting.

(16) (U) E.R. relied on supply to get organized/unpacked prior to
being able to treat (minor) patients. This further delayed
operational status.

(17) (U) Setting up hospital on asphalt was worth the wait. This
allowed installation of running water and less dusty conditions in
addition to a flat, level surface to set up on.

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