Assessing Baseline Proficiency of National Guard Combat Medics Due for Recertification: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Introduction Combat medics, or 68W Healthcare Specialists in the Army, are an early part of a combat casualty’s chain of survival. Their job requires a high degree of competency in emergency medical guidelines established by the Committee of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC) as well as basic bleeding control skills. The American Warfighting Experience for the last two decades highlights just how important these skills are in preventing death on the battlefield. A recent Government Office of Accountability suggests sustainment for critical wartime skills is lacking. This is especially concerning for National Guard Soldiers who must juggle their military obligations with their civilian ones. It is unknown how well-prepared National Guard combat medics are in fulfilling their most critical combat care responsibilities. The current study attempts to address this gap in knowledge by assessing National Guard Soldiers due for their annual recertification. Materials and Methods Nine medics due for their annual recertification were recruited for the study. First, they were given a questionnaire intended to gather basic demographic information about their experience and a six-question quiz on current CoTCCC guidelines. The medics were then evaluated on their ability to place a Combat Application Tourniquet on a live person, which was verified by a Doppler microphone. The medics were finally evaluated on their ability to pack a wound with a hemostatic dressing. Statistical analysis was used to determine if experience or frequency of practice over the previous year could predict success. Results Medics, on average, were only able to answer an average of 2.2 questions on the quiz correctly. The overall success rate for tourniquet application was 44.4%, and the overall success rate for wound packing was 22.2%. Statistical analysis showed that experience or frequency of practice could not adequately explain the success rates. Conclusions A soldier’s experience alone could not predict if the soldier will be successful in performing bleeding control tasks or if they will demonstrate higher levels of casualty care knowledge. Future research is needed in this area to better define recertification and refresher training issues.