Airman uses research, experience to contribute to fight

Published Aug. 11, 2011
By Senior Airman David Carbajal
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Neil Armstrong was once quoted as saying, "Research is creating new knowledge." One Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman in Southern Afghanistan understands that mentality very well.

Air Force Col. Sean Collins, senior researcher for the Joint Combat Casualty Research Team (JC2RT), has been working to improve medical processes and facilitating case studies since he arrived in February to Camp Dwyer in Regional Command Southwest.

The mission of the JC2RT is to foster, facilitate, and coordinate mission relevant medical research, performance improvement and evidence-based clinical practice in the U.S. Central Command theater of operations.

"Here, we have observational studies, which evaluate real-world medical techniques to understand what would improve medical processes," said Collins, who is the medical group commander at the Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing in Westfield, Mass. "As soon as a patient comes into the CSH (115th Combat Support Hospital), we immediately evaluate the care of the patient to see how it could better."

By evaluating the patients and care rendered in the field, the team can identify if different tools and processes in the combat first-aid kits are needed or if service members would benefit from more training for specific types of wounds, he added.

"Not that long ago, we were told to only use tourniquets as a last resort for injuries in the field," said Collins, who holds a doctorate in clinical research. "With research and studies, we now know that the application of a tourniquet could make the difference between life and death."

The research team doesn't just evaluate patients coming into the hospital.

"We look at ourselves as well," he added. "Is the ultrasound technique being used by the emergency room physician the best to diagnose the patient? Do we have the essential literature (snake bites) for local risks and hazards?"

"We ask these questions to ensure our medical care is the best it could possibly be," said Army Col. Patricia Darnauer, Task Force 115 commander.

The information they learn is critical not only here but at stateside hospitals as well, said Darnauer.

"Most medical centers in the states don't see the things that we see day to day," said Collins, who doubles as an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. "So, what we learn here is invaluable not only for us in theater, but our families and friends back home."

As a Guardsman, Collins volunteered to deploy, leaving his wife and three children and Darnauer is thankful for this.

"You have to give kudos to a guy who comes forward and volunteers to come to Afghanistan," said Darnauer. "I'm very grateful he did though.

"Individuals make the difference in work centers and he is a perfect example of that," she added. "Colonel Collins' skill set has made our entire hospital better and his presence will be felt for months to come."