Registered nurses as permanent members of medical evacuation crews: the critical link.

Medical evacuation has changed form the experiences of the past decade of combat operations. Much of the focus of the medical support in the combat zone is now critical care during evacuation, which is, and will continue to be, a very successful, life-saving asset. The assignment of Army critical care or trauma nurses to medical evacuation units is consistent with the recognition that the medical evacuation system is a truly vital asset in the success of today's American military. Our NATO allies, and our sister services, rely heavily on the availability, reliability, and especially continuity of care of the Arm medical evacuation system. It is time to upgrade the system of evacuation and provide our Warriors with the greatest possibilities of survival. Army nurses trained in critical care and trauma nursing are best suited to provide that continuity of care.