A core ingredient of VCU Well being's complete packages and its Degree I trauma middle is an unwavering dedication to attaining zero preventable deaths, each nationally and on the battlefield. Numerous collaborations with america navy embody academic alternatives, coaching packages, sustaining scientific abilities, in addition to navy and trauma-related analysis initiatives.
A second to exhibit this dedication got here late final yr when VCU Medical Heart answered the decision to affix forces with the U.S. Navy's Fleet Surgical Groups (FST) to offer trauma coaching to navy members. in a number of disciplines. This system is a part of VCU Well being's ongoing efforts to help the Army-Civil Partnership (MCP) and the MISSION Zero Act of 2019.
And inside this instructing surroundings, devoted to offering high-quality care to probably the most complicated trauma sufferers, VCU Well being continues to indicate its ongoing dedication to navy members by numerous MCP initiatives.
“Army-civilian partnerships enrich us all,” stated Michael Roussos, president of VCU Medical Heart. “The trade of invaluable data, views and experiences is what this collaboration is all about. Collectively, we forge a strong alliance, every benefiting and reinforcing.” the opposite in service of the better goal of bettering affected person care.”
Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group TWO, together with medical management from Commander Naval Floor Pressure Atlantic and the Atlantic-based Navy Fleet Surgical Groups, got a tour of the middle VCU Medical Heart's Degree I trauma middle in late January. (VCU Enterprise Advertising and Communications)
From imaginative and prescient to actuality: incorporation of fleet surgical groups
FSTs coaching at VCU Well being are 15-person groups made up of common surgeons, hospitalists, nurses, CRNAs, technicians and physicians. Every crew partnered with physicians and departments throughout the medical middle to realize experience in high-volume, high-acuity trauma care.
“Any expertise that enables our Navy medical professionals to collaborate with their civilian counterparts is a value-add for everybody,” stated Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson, expeditionary strike group DOS commander. “The information exhibits it; Working alongside VCU Well being's extremely proficient and skilled trauma groups makes our FSTs extra succesful and assured in finishing up their important missions. “Collectively we’re working towards a standard, achievable and extremely beneficial aim: zero preventable deaths on the battlefield and at house.”
Rear Admiral Nicholson, together with medical management from Commander Naval Floor Pressure Atlantic at Naval Station Norfolk and Navy FSTs based mostly in Atlantic, toured VCU Medical Heart's Degree I trauma middle to late January. Throughout their go to, the group met with VCU Well being leaders to debate the partnership and easy methods to construct on the momentum of this specific MCP initiative.
Michel Aboutanos, MD, medical director of VCU Medical Heart's Degree I Trauma Heart, speaks with U.S. Navy medical management throughout a latest tour of VCU Medical Heart's Degree I Trauma Heart. (VCU Enterprise Advertising and Communications)
Answering the decision: VCU Well being's agility in response to navy help
Dialogue between VCU Well being and the FSTs started in August 2023. Nonetheless, as a result of altering timelines and priorities, the necessity arose for a quicker launch of the initiative. In December 2023, Captain Justin Lafreniere, doctor, officer accountable for Fleet Surgical Group DOS and Surgeon, Expeditionary Strike Group DOS, contacted Rokayak and Michel Aboutanos, MD, chief of the Division's Important Care Surgical Providers. . of Surgical procedure and medical director of VCU Medical Heart's Degree I trauma middle and Trauma Techniques Community, to see if it could be potential to start coaching for the primary FST in January.
“Your crew completed this in about four weeks, over the vacation interval, and now right here we’re planning our subsequent steps towards a extra sustainable partnership between VCU Well being and the 4 fleet surgical groups of Expeditionary Strike Group TWO,” stated Capt. Lafreniere. “The expertise has not solely ready these sailors to help the Amphibious Prepared Group's upcoming deployment, however brings us one step nearer to having Navy expeditionary medical groups exchanging concepts and experience alongside sufferers with VCU Well being workers.” , with the final word aim of bettering our affected person care. communities we serve, on a way more everlasting and long-term foundation.”
“We’re deeply dedicated to our military-civilian partnerships,” Aboutanos stated. “The success of this collaboration is clear within the completion of rotations with FST four and FST 2, demonstrating the speedy and efficient implementation of this system by VCU Well being crew members. “This might not have occurred with out the tireless efforts of Beth Broering, director of the trauma and burn program, and the unparalleled dedication of all of our VCU Well being school, workers and management.”
VCU Well being's institutional management, together with a devoted military-civilian collaboration crew, has been crucial to the success of those initiatives. Assist from departmental leaders, workers members and liaisons underscores the well being system's dedication to closing the hole between navy and civilian healthcare experience.
Marlon Levy, MD, interim CEO of VCU Well being, and Michel Aboutanos, MD, medical director of VCU Medical Heart's Degree I Trauma Heart, acquired a U.S. Navy banner in recognition of the partnership. VCU Well being to enhance trauma care each overseas and domestically. . (VCU Enterprise Advertising and Communications)