

Prolonged Field Care Podcast
Dennis
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This podcast and website is dedicated to the healthcare professional who needs to provide high quality care in a very austere location.
For more content: www.prolongedfieldcare.org
Consider supporting us on: patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective
This podcast and website is dedicated to the healthcare professional who needs to provide high quality care in a very austere location.
For more content: www.prolongedfieldcare.org
Consider supporting us on: patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 1, 2025 • 9min
SOMSA '25 (Research) - Transfusion Reaction Data
A deep dive into transfusion reactions in trauma patients reveals critical insights. Only 0.3% of cases showed reactions, yet those needing massive transfusions faced a higher likelihood. Most reactions occurred on the first day, with explosive injuries linked to increased rates. The discussion highlights the gap in data, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive registries and collaboration with civilian counterparts. While transfusions dramatically improve survival, understanding the risks and refining procedures is essential for enhancing patient outcomes.

Sep 29, 2025 • 54min
Prolonged Field Care Podcast 249: Area Assessment
In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Mike Hetzler delve into the intricacies of mission planning, particularly in the context of medical operations in foreign environments. They emphasize the importance of thorough preparation, understanding local medical infrastructures, and the necessity of proactive planning to ensure successful outcomes in high-stakes situations. The conversation covers various aspects of pre-deployment planning, including site surveys, gathering medical intelligence, and the critical need for validation of resources. The speakers share personal experiences and lessons learned, highlighting the importance of communication, collaboration, and attention to detail in military medicine.TakeawaysPlanning and preparation are crucial for success in medical missions.Assumptions can lead to critical failures in planning.Validating medical resources on the ground is essential.Pre-deployment site surveys provide vital information for mission success.Understanding local medical infrastructure is key to effective operations.Proactive planning helps mitigate risks in high-stress environments.Communication with local facilities is necessary for effective patient care.Rehearsing evacuation plans ensures readiness for emergencies.Civilian transportation options can complicate medical evacuations.Attention to detail can make the difference between success and failure. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Mission Planning and Preparation03:00 Understanding the Importance of Pre-Mission Analysis06:00 Planning for Medical Operations in Foreign Environments08:55 The Role of Intelligence in Medical Planning11:37 Navigating Medical Resources and Facilities14:47 Confirming Medical Assets and Avoiding Assumptions17:45 Creating a Common Operating Picture for Medical Operations20:29 The Importance of Communication and Coordination23:46 Enhancing Host Nation Medical Capabilities26:40 Utilizing Running Sketches for Effective Planning27:40 Proactive Risk Mitigation in Medical Operations29:44 Assessing Medical Facility Capacity32:18 Understanding Patient Movement Requests35:47 Navigating Civilian Transportation for Medical Evacuations40:26 The Importance of Rehearsals and Planning52:18 Professionalism in Medical PreparednessFor more content, go to www.prolongedfieldcare.orgConsider supporting us: patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective or www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care

Sep 26, 2025 • 53min
Prolonged Field Care Podcast: Medical Education
In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis and Mike discuss the complexities of providing medical care in austere environments, focusing on the importance of understanding requirements, building relationships, and executing effective educational processes. They emphasize the need for thorough planning, cultural awareness, and continuous assessment to ensure successful outcomes in humanitarian missions.TakeawaysUnderstanding the requirement is critical for success.Building a common language enhances collaboration.Cultural interpretation is essential in medical missions.Assessment should be continuous throughout the process.Planning and preparation account for 80% of success.Under promise and over deliver to manage expectations.Engaging with local partners is vital for effective training.Utilizing local resources can enhance understanding.Measuring both performance and effectiveness is necessary.Perfecting the basics is crucial for impactful education.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest01:43 Understanding Requirements in Humanitarian Medical Care05:09 Analyzing the Environment and Common Language12:14 Building Relationships in Medical Missions20:15 Executing the Educational Process38:59 Measuring Success and Effectiveness in Training49:38 Final Thoughts and Key TakeawaysFor more content, go to www.prolongedfieldcare.orgConsider supporting us: patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective or www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care

Sep 24, 2025 • 28min
SOMSA '25 - Prolonged Combat Lifesaver
Benjamin Ingram, a military medicine practitioner with a focus on prolonged field care and innovative training, dives into the transformation of medical practices in combat. He critiques the outdated 'golden hour' concept and emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies in modern warfare. Ingram introduces the PICKLES training curriculum, aimed at shifting medical tasks to non-traditional providers. He discusses unique injury patterns observed in conflicts like Ukraine and highlights the essential collaboration among nations to bolster medical response capabilities.

Sep 22, 2025 • 43min
Prolonged Field Care Podcast 248: FAST-U
This conversation explores the advancements in point-of-care ultrasound for combat abdominal trauma, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The speaker discusses the limitations of traditional ultrasound protocols and introduces innovative approaches to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Through case studies, the importance of timely detection of injuries is emphasized, along with the necessity of training combat medics in ultrasound techniques. The discussion also highlights the challenges faced in modern warfare and the critical role of ultrasound in improving patient outcomes.TakeawaysUltrasound is crucial for emergency trauma diagnosis in combat situations.The FAST protocol is not sufficient for all types of injuries.Innovative ultrasound techniques can improve diagnosis of colon injuries.Timely detection of injuries can significantly reduce mortality rates.Training for combat medics in ultrasound is essential for effective care.The new FAST-U protocol enhances the standard FAST protocol.Portable ultrasound devices are vital in combat zones.Understanding retroperitoneal injuries is key to trauma management.Collaboration and support are necessary for effective medical training.Combat medicine education needs more recognition and resources.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Combat Ultrasound00:37 The Importance of Ultrasound in Combat Trauma02:32 Challenges of Modern Warfare and Trauma06:07 Innovations in Ultrasound Protocols12:19 Case Studies and Practical Applications16:56 Training and Support for Combat Medics19:02 Understanding Retroperitoneal Injuries27:20 Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy with FAST-U35:02 Future Directions in Combat MedicineFor more content, go to www.prolongedfieldcare.orgConsider supporting us: patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective or www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care

Sep 19, 2025 • 38min
Prolonged Field Care Podcast: Remote Damage Control Resuscitation
Andrew Fisher, a medical student and former PA in the 75th Ranger Regiment, shares insights on remote medical care challenges. He emphasizes the importance of adapting hospital protocols for trauma in isolated settings. Key topics include the MARCH algorithm for managing hemorrhagic shock and the critical need for early blood transfusions. Andrew discusses the RAPTOR course and innovative tools for non-compressible torso hemorrhage. He also highlights the significance of team training and communication in emergency situations, optimizing survival rates in the field.

Sep 17, 2025 • 21min
SOMSA '25 - Beyond The Golden Hour Thoughts On SOF Blood Protocols In The Era Of Peer Adversaries And Austere Environments
In this episode of the PFC Podcast, discusses the evolving landscape of military medicine, particularly focusing on blood transfusion protocols in combat situations. They emphasize the need for optimizing blood management practices, adapting to dynamic conflict environments, and the potential benefits of implementing type-specific transfusions. The conversation highlights the importance of training medics to be independent thinkers and the necessity for systematic approaches in medical decision-making during deployments.TakeawaysWe see a need for optimizing our blood protocol.The conflict environment is becoming more dynamic.Medics need to stabilize patients for longer periods.Type-specific transfusions can increase available blood supply.Training medics to be independent thinkers is crucial.A systematic approach is needed for medical deployments.The benefits of type-specific transfusions may outweigh risks.More tools in the toolbox can enhance medical care.Understanding logistics is vital for blood management.Research is needed to compare transfusion methods.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Speakers01:56 The Need for Optimizing Blood Protocols03:47 Understanding the Evolving Conflict Environment07:48 Tools for Blood Component Management13:31 Implementing Type-Specific Transfusions17:05 Conclusions and Takeaway PointsFor CME credit for this presentation, go to: https://specialoperationsmedicine.org/For more content, go to www.prolongedfieldcare.orgConsider supporting us: patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective or www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care

Sep 15, 2025 • 26min
Prolonged Field Care Podcast 247: Plasma for Burns
In this episode of the PFC Podcast, Dennis interviews Jennifer Gurney, an Army general surgeon specializing in trauma and burn care. They discuss the evolution of burn resuscitation practices, particularly the historical use of plasma and its potential benefits over crystalloid solutions. Gurney emphasizes the importance of plasma in treating burn shock, the timing and dosage of plasma administration, and the challenges faced in burn resuscitation. The conversation highlights the need for a shift back to plasma therapy to improve patient outcomes in burn care.TakeawaysBurn resuscitation has evolved significantly over the years.Historical use of plasma in burn care was effective but fell out of favor due to safety concerns.Current practices often rely too heavily on crystalloid solutions, which can lead to complications.Plasma therapy can address the plasma deficit seen in burn shock.The anti-inflammatory properties of plasma can aid in recovery.Timing of plasma administration is crucial for effective resuscitation.Monitoring clinical parameters is essential for determining fluid needs.Dried plasma could revolutionize burn resuscitation in the field.Over-resuscitation with crystalloid can lead to long-term complications.A return to plasma therapy may improve outcomes for burn patients.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Burn Resuscitation00:59 Historical Context of Plasma Use05:11 The Case for Plasma in Burn Resuscitation11:08 Understanding Resuscitation Endpoints14:44 Timing and Dosage of Plasma Administration19:54 Practical Considerations in Burn CareFor more content, go to www.prolongedfieldcare.orgConsider supporting us: patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective or www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care

Sep 12, 2025 • 39min
Prolonged Field Care Podcast: Abdominal Trauma
In this engaging discussion, Colonel Stacey Shackelford, a trauma surgeon and chief of the Joint Trauma System, shares his battlefield insights on managing abdominal trauma. He highlights the alarming statistics on battlefield casualties and the critical role of advanced hemorrhage control techniques. Shackelford delves into the challenges of trauma care, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, postoperative management, and ongoing research. Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on innovative surgical practices and the need for enhanced training in trauma care.

Sep 10, 2025 • 12min
SOMSA '25 - Medical Training In NATO SOFCOM
In this engaging discussion, Mike Hetzler, a faculty member at University College Cork and expert in NATO SOFCOM Defense Medicine, dives into specialized medical training for irregular warfare. He showcases the Advanced Surgical Training and Advanced Medical Concepts courses, stressing the importance of tactical decision-making and understanding local medical traditions. The conversation also highlights innovative training methods, including live tissue practice and the significance of ultrasound in medical interventions. Rehabilitation and adapting training to meet national needs are key focuses.


