b. Patient Holding Squad. The patient holding squad consists of two practical
nurses and two medical specialists. It is capable of holding and providing minimal care
for up to 40 patients who will be returned to duty.
c. Forward Surgical Team. The forward surgical team (FST) is designed to
perform urgent initial surgery. When this modular-designed surgical capability is
deemed necessary, the FST may augment other medical treatment units during stability
operations and support operations.
1-9.
ECHELON III HOSPITALIZATION
Echelon III hospitalization includes the 296-bed combat support hospital (CSH)
with attached FST's. The CSH manages all types of patients and is normally employed
in the corps forward and rear areas. The corps FST is usually attached to a corps
hospital unless it is operationally deployed forward. The FST provides urgent, initial
surgery and continued postoperative care of patients for approximately 6 hours. The FST
provides additional surgical capability when attached to a CSH; however, its primary
function is to provide Echelon II CHS within a division.
1-10. ECHELON IV HOSPITALIZATION
Echelon IV hospitalization includes the 476-bed general hospital (GH) and the
504-bed field hospital (FH). The GH provides additional specialty care and surgical
treatment for patients who require further stabilization prior to evacuation out of the
theater. The GH is employed at echelons above corps (EAC). The FH provides
reconditioning and rehabilitation for those patients who can return to duty within the time
frame specified by the theater evacuation policy. The FH can be employed at EAC or in
the combat zone (CZ). Echelon IV hospitalization also includes the medical company,
holding (MCH). The MCH provides 1,200 convalescent care cots for reconditioning and
rehabilitation. The MCH is employed at EAC in support of the FH; it may be employed in
the CZ in direct support of the CSH.
1-11. ECHELON V HOSPITALIZATION
Echelon V hospitalization includes the continental US (CONUS) or outside
continental US (OCONUS) based DOD medical centers, Department of
Veterans Affairs hospitals, and the National Defense Medical System (NDMS), which is
composed of civilian hospitals. The Echelon V hospitalization system completes the
definitive medical treatment and surgical care, and provides rehabilitation and
convalescence for those patients from the theater.
MD0001
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