ATP-4-90 Brigade Support Battalion Download
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Chapter 8 8-8 ATP 4-90 18 June 2020 treatment platoon’s headquarters section is responsible for overseeing platoon operations, patient accountability and statistical reporting functions, and coordination with the BSB SPO section, BCT surgeon, and other elements for patient evacuation. The medical treatment squad, the area support squad, and the patient-holding squad are required elements needed to establish the BSMC Role 2 medical treatment facility. Without these squads operating together in a coordinated fashion, the BSMC may see a degradation in services and capability. When patients are able to return to duty after treatment, the BSMC Role 2 medical treatment facility coordinates through the BSB S-1 and BCT S-1, who in turn contacts the unit to pick up the Soldier or follows established procedures from the brigade SOP. The BSMC and BSB may return maneuver Soldiers to duty after treatment through LOGPAC or other methods of resupply similar to any other materiel or commodity. Medical Treatment Section The medical treatment section provides emergency and routine sick call treatment to the BSB’s organic Soldiers or others assigned or attached to supported units. When positioned with the BSMC, the treatment section personnel work in the Role 2 medical treatment facility. The medical treatment squads include two treatment teams to provide Role 1 medical treatment and augmentation support to BCT maneuver battalions, as required. The forward medical treatment squad is capable of operating independently for limited periods to provide advanced trauma management and sick call, as required. The operations may call for the forward medical treatment squad to move forward on short notice. The area medical treatment squad is the base medical treatment section of the BSMC Role 2 medical treatment facility and does not typically move forward of the BSA. The area medical treatment squad is identical in composition to the medical treatment squad and will often include personnel that are more experienced. Area Support Squad There are four different sections in the area support squad – the dental, physical therapy, laboratory, and radiology sections. The dental section provides operational dental care, which consists of emergency dental care and essential dental care intended to intercept dental emergencies. Dental care also includes dental consultation and x-ray services. Operational dental care is the medical treatment given for the relief of pain, elimination of acute infection, and the control of life-threatening oral conditions such as—hemorrhage or respiratory difficulty. Essential care includes dental treatment necessary for prevention of lost duty time and preservation of unit readiness. The BSMC and Army Medical Department consider the treatment of trauma to teeth, jaws, and associated facial structures as emergency care. The physical therapy section plans and supervises physical therapy programs through patient self-referral or referral from a medical officer or physician assistant. The section provides guidance in the areas of physical fitness, physical training, and injury prevention. The physical therapy staff primarily evaluates and treats disorders of human motion using physical/chemical therapeutic means. The laboratory section performs clinical laboratory and blood banking procedures consistent with Role 2 treatment capabilities to aid physicians and physician’s assistants in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. Laboratory functions include performing laboratory procedures in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Role 2 medical laboratory has limited capabilities. The radiology section operates x-ray equipment required for Role 2 treatment capabilities. The section performs routine clinical radiological procedures to aid physicians and physician assistants in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Patient-Holding Squad The patient-holding squad operates the patient-holding facility of the BSMC Role 2 medical treatment facility. The facility’s role is to hold patients awaiting evacuation and those that medical personnel expect to return to duty within 72 hours. The patient-holding squad is capable of providing care for up to 20 patients. Role 2 facilities do not have an admission capability. Therefore, patients at this facility are not considered