The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Tricia Williams, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron patient administration and disposition boss, briefs hospital volunteers on safety requirements and procedures for patient transport at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 4, 2009. The volunteer training consists of safety requirements, how to load and offload patients from helicopters, ambulances and mine resistant ambush protected vehicles and rules for moving within the emergency room. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Tricia Williams, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron patient administration and disposition boss, trains PAD volunteers in the procedures for transporting a patient at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 4, 2009. The volunteer training consists of safety requirements, how to load and offload patients from helicopters, ambulances and mine resistant ambush protected vehicles and rules for moving within the emergency room. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Mary Robinson, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron patient administration and disposition non-commissioned officer in charge, tracks an incoming medical helicopter on a land mobile radio at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 3, 2009. Sergeant Waring assists in unloading patients from nearly 500 HH-60G Pave Hawks a month. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Nicholas Curcuru, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron third country national escort and hospital volunteer, prepares for the arrival of a medical helicopter at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 2, 2009. Hospital volunteers spend their free time assisting hospital personnel in a variety of ways, and are available in the event of a mass casualty. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Hospital volunteers transport a patient toward the emergency department on a litter after unloading an HH-60G Pave Hawk at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 2, 2009. Hospital volunteers spend their free time assisting hospital personnel in a variety of ways, and are available in the event of a mass casualty. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Volunteers prepare to help patients off of an ambulance to direct them to the emergency room at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 2, 2009. Volunteers also help gather patients' belongings and supplement personnel resources in case of a mass-casualty event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Hospital volunteers place a patient on a litter for transport to the Air Force Theater Hospital Intensive Care Unit Nov. 2, 2009. Hospital volunteers spend their free time assisting hospital personnel in a variety of ways, and are available in the event of a mass casualty. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Tech. Sgts. Brandon Sharp and Jeremy Trout, hospital volunteers from the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, unload a patient from an ambulance at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 3, 2009. Hospital volunteers spend their free time assisting hospital personnel in a variety of ways, and are available in the event of a mass casualty. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Faith Lumabao, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron patient valuables and bed status technician, tags a patient’s body armor in a secured vault at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 2, 2009. Airman Lumabao is responsible for securing patient valuables, weapons, ammunition and armor upon their arrival. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Maj. Shanon Madrid and Senior Airman Catherine Izaguirre, both from the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron, fill out necessary paperwork for tracking patient information at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 2, 2009. Airman Izaguirre is responsible for documenting patient information, including known injuries and unit information. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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The many layers of patient care

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Faith Lumabao, 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron patient valuables and bed status technician, checks on patients in a waiting room at the Air Force Theater Hospital Nov. 2, 2009. Airman Lumabao created a patient tracking system which provides accountability information for the entire hospital. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal)

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Photo essay: The many layers of patient care

Published Nov. 6, 2009
By Senior Airman Christopher Hubenthal
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- When patients arrive at the Air Force Theater Hospital, it sets off a chain reaction of care -- and not just the medical kind.

Whether it's carrying patients on litters from helicopters to the emergency department or keeping track of their belongings until they're released, medical professionals team up with a dedicated volunteer force to streamline the process as much as possible.