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Platelet Donations Bring Troops Home
(August 29, 2009) |
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Senior Airman Brenton Swift watches as Staff Sgt. Michael Hebron monitors the needle insertion site during a platelet donation at the Air Force Theater hospital July 24 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Fifty percent of donations collected are used outside the wire. Airman Swift is a 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems journeyman, and Sergeant Hebron is a 332nd Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron aphaeresis technician. |
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8/24/2009 - JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFNS) -- The pint-sized
bags of cloudy, yellow liquid may not look like much, but the fluid inside them
has proved to be a lifesaving substance to injured servicemembers.
"Platelets heal. I've seen it firsthand," said Lt. Col. Thomas Jordan, the 332nd
Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron platelet aphaeresis chief.
"I was here in 2006 when we first brought platelets into modern warfare by using
them (at Joint Base Balad)," Colonel Jordan said. "We noticed an increase in the
survival rate compared to when we were using whole blood. They serve as the main
factor in stopping bleeding and are used in any situation in which there is
excessive blood loss."
Blood platelets have saved lives across Iraq, and the Air Force Theater Hospital
here is the only supplier of this vital blood component to medical personnel
in-country.
Half the collected clotting agents are kept at Joint Base Balad, while the rest
are shipped to other military installations throughout Iraq. On average,
platelets have a shelf life of five days. Therefore, those used by U.S and
coalition forces must be collected close to the fight.
"In the time it would take to collect the platelets, run the necessary tests and
send them over here (from the U.S.) we would pass the five-day limit we have on
using them," said Colonel Jordan, who has the sole discretion of extending the
shelf-life of the platelets by two days, if deemed necessary.
If the total shelf life has expired, Colonel Jordan destroys the platelets that
are not used. But, the platelet aphaeresis lab staff ensures there are enough
bags ready whenever they're needed. |
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"So many people are willing to donate because they want to do something to help
their fellow servicemembers," said Master Sgt. Phillip Monk, the NCO in charge
of aphaeresis operations. "Their contribution goes right into action and is used
right here to save lives."
In order to meet the in-theater demands, the lab must collect approximately nine
bags of platelets each day. This equates to scheduling 10 patients daily.
Since the Air Force Theater Hospital staff provides the same quality of care
regardless of nationality or combative status, platelets have also helped Iraqi
citizens. The benefit of platelets, introduced by U.S. military forces during
Operation Iraqi Freedom, may have long-reaching effects even during peacetime.
Colonel Jordan said he hopes the Iraqi people eventually start using platelets
at their own hospitals.
"I truly believe (U.S. military forces) being here has allowed us the chance to
set a good example to the Iraqi people, especially in how we view war," Colonel
Jordan said. "The U.S doesn't believe in throwing our troops out there saying,
'Just get out there and fight.' We want to make sure our folks return home to
their families. Platelets help our folks live, they help bring them home." | |
Article by Sr. Airman Andria J. Allmond
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nicole Enos
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Copyright 2009
Reprinted from
Air Force News Service
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