LESSON 4
FIELD MEDICAL CARD
PURPOSE OF THE UNITED STATES FIELD MEDICAL CARD, DD FORM 1380
4-1.
a. DD Form 1380, US Field Medical Card or field medical card (FMC), is used to
record medical information when the patient's HREC is not available. The FMC is used
by aid stations, clearing stations, treatment stations, and nonfixed troop or health clinics
working overseas, on maneuvers, or attached to commands moving between stations.
It can also be used to record outpatient visits at fixed medical facilities when needed (for
example, a soldier on leave receiving treatment at a military medical clinic located on a
post other than the post to which he is assigned) and certain CRO cases.
b. The field medical card was designed to be used in forward combat areas by
NATO troops; therefore, the printed instructions on the form are in French as well as in
English. The FMC provides medical officers who see the casualty during evacuation
with essential information about the casualty's injury or disease and the treatment
already given. When a MTF initiates a medical record on the casualty, the FMC
becomes part of the record.
4-2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIELD MEDICAL CARD
Field medical cards are issued in a "book" containing 20 two-part sets. A set
consists of a sturdy card with attached wire, a sheet of carbon paper, a carbon
protective sheet, and a duplicate paper form. The front side of the card has spaces for
the casualty's identification, a description of the injury or illness, treatment rendered,
and the signature of the medical officer. The reverse side of the card has space for
additional entries when needed. Figure 4-1 shows both sides of an initiated FMC.
4-3.
INITIATING A FIELD MEDICAL CARD
The FMC is initiated when the casualty receives medical treatment from medical
personnel. The form is usually initiated by the combat medic (medical specialist MOS
91W) after he treats the casualty on the battlefield. If a casualty arrives at a battalion
aid station or other MTF without a FMC (for example, the casualty reached the facility
on his own or was evacuated by fellow soldiers [buddy-aid] without being evaluated by
a combat medic), the form is initiated at the facility.
a. Remove and discard the carbon protective sheet. This allows the information
written on the front of the form to also be recorded on the paper duplicate.
If you accidentally remove the carbon paper, reinsert the carbon paper
NOTE:
between the card, and the duplicate with the carbon side toward the
duplicate.
MD0920
4-2