Modular Medical Support_0772d66a-8cc3-4c9e-8923-ab891e39b24f.pptx

Educated knowledge

1. Modular Medical Support Lt.Col . Zaw Lin. 24.9.25

2. Definition : Modular Medical Support is a  flexible system of providing healthcare  in which medical facilities are organized into  functional modules  that can be  deployed, expanded, or reduced  based on the situation.

3. newly fabricated container with new Siemens X-ray equipment (scanner and diagnostic station), including accessories

4. CORE MODULES Seven different core modules have been identified: 1. Emergency Area 2. Surgery 3. Specified Diagnostic (including imagery and field laboratory) 4. Patient holding (intended to briefly hold treated patients prior to evacuation) 5. Post operative, high dependency 6. Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Information (C4I) 7. Medical Supply

5. ENHANCING MODULES 1. Surgery 2. Imagery 3. CT Scan 4. Ward 5. Intensive Care Unit 6. Laboratory

6. 7. Pharmacy 8. Dental 9. Mental Health 10. Internal Medicine 11. Isolation Ward 12. Hospital Management 13. Sterilisation 14. Primary Healthcare

7. COMPLEMENTARY CONTRIBUTIONS 1. Oxygen production 2. Hyperbaric Medicine 3. Frozen blood products (blood bank)1 4. Animal Care 5. Physiotherapy

8. 6. Preventive Medicine 7. Telemedicine 8. Mortuary 9. CBRN ( Decon & treat patients) 10. Additional Clinical Specialties 11. In transit/response ambulances 12. Magnetic Resonance Imaging 13. Specialist surgery.

9. Why important? Casualty numbers in war/disaster are unpredictable. Infrastructure often destroyed. Provides  continuity of care  from  point of injury ➝ resuscitation ➝ surgery ➝ evacuation ➝ definitive care

10. Principles of Modular Medical Support Scalability  – start small (triage only) and build up to full hospital if required. Flexibility  – modules can be combined for trauma-heavy, infectious disease, or surgical missions. Mobility  – designed to be transported (air, road, sea). Standardization  – each module has pre-defined manpower, drugs, equipment. Continuity  – ensures staged care with minimal duplication.

11. Levels (Roles) of MMS Role 1 (Immediate First Aid / Battalion Aid Station) Location:  Very close to combat/disaster site. Functions: Triage, first aid, hemorrhage control, airway management. Pain relief, IV fluids. No surgery. Manpower:  Medical officer + paramedics. Capacity:  10–30 patients/day.

12. Role 1 is  the initial level of care within a modular medical support system, provided at the Point of Injury (POI) and by a Battalion Aid Station (BAS), focusing on immediate lifesaving measures, self-aid, buddy aid, and Combat Lifesaver skills to stabilize casualties and facilitate evacuation

13. Key Aspects of Role 1 Location :  At the Point of Injury (POI) or by the Battalion Aid Station (BAS), which is an organic part of the supporting unit.  Personnel :  Provided by self-aid, buddy aid, Combat Lifesavers, and medically trained personnel like Combat Medics

14. Capabilities : Immediate Lifesaving Measures : Focus on stopping hemorrhage, managing airways, and treating other life-threatening conditions.  Advanced Trauma Management (ATM) : Treatment of injuries beyond basic first aid.  Disease Non-Battle Injury (DNBI) : Treatment of illness or injury not caused by combat.  Combat Stress Prevention : Initiation of treatment for combat stress-related issues. 

15. Triage : Categorizing casualties by the severity of their injuries to prioritize treatment.  Patient Collection : Gathering casualties from the supported unit.  Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) : Initiating and facilitating the transfer of patients to higher levels of care.  Return to Duty (RTD) : Attempting to return casualties to duty after treatment if feasible. 

16. Role 2 (Forward Surgical Care / Dressing Station) Location:  Slightly behind front line. Functions: Advanced resuscitation. Damage control surgery  (life-saving, not definitive). Blood transfusion. Holding for 24–48 hrs

17. Modules included:  Triage, resuscitation, surgery, evacuation. Manpower:  Surgeon, anesthetist, nurses, lab technician. Capacity:  50–100 patients/day.

18. Role 2 (Forward Surgical Care / Dressing Station in modular medical support system A Role 2 medical facility is a mobile field hospital that provides advanced medical care, including forward surgery, triage, resuscitation, and intensive care, for casualties near a combat zone or in a disaster area . It operates in a modular medical support system, where different "roles" or levels of care are defined by their capabilities and proximity to the incident.

19. Key functions of a Role 2 facility Triage and resuscitation : Role 2 units receive casualties from lower-level (Role 1) facilities or directly from the battlefield. They conduct triage to prioritize the wounded and perform advanced resuscitation procedures. Emergency surgery : Many Role 2 facilities include a forward surgical capability to provide immediate, damage-control surgery to stabilize critically injured patients. Some are designated Role 2+ or Role 2 Enhanced (2E) to indicate a more robust surgical capacity.

20. Intensive care : They are equipped to provide intensive care and essential post-operative management for patients before they are evacuated to a higher-level facility. Patient holding : Role 2 facilities can hold patients for a limited time for treatment and observation before they are either returned to duty or evacuated for more definitive care at a Role 3 hospital. Diagnostic services : They often have limited diagnostic capabilities, such as radiology and laboratory units. Emergency dentistry : Some Role 2 units also provide emergency dental treatment. 

21. The modular system The defining feature of a Role 2 facility is its modularity and mobility. It is designed to be rapidly deployed and configured using self-contained, transportable modules, often housed in expandable containers or tents.  Mobility and scalability : Modular units can be quickly set up and packed away, with some capable of rapid deployment in as little as 20 minutes. The modular design allows for scalability to meet mission needs, from basic surgical capabilities to more advanced, enhanced field hospitals

22. Versatile deployment : This modularity allows for versatile deployment in a variety of environments, including remote or difficult-to-access locations, urban crises, or as part of a military operation. Reduced logistical footprint : Container-based and modular designs often reduce the logistical requirements for transport and setup, allowing for greater maneuverability closer to the point of injury. 

23. The Dressing Station concept The term "Dressing Station" is an older military term for a medical post, and in modern modular systems, it is often incorporated into the Role 2 functions. While a traditional Dressing Station focused primarily on wound care and stabilization, a modern Role 2 unit performs these tasks as part of a broader, more advanced suite of services. The modular nature allows for scalable capabilities—from a small, rapidly deployed trauma room (a modern-day dressing station equivalent) to a full field hospital

24. Role 3 (Field Hospital / Modular Hospital) Location:  Secure zone, but still forward. Functions: Multidisciplinary care (general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, internal medicine, anesthesia, ICU). Diagnostics (X-ray, ultrasound, basic CT in some). Pharmacy, laboratory, blood bank. Intensive Care and extended holding. Capacity:  200–400 patients/day depending on setup. Example:  NATO Role 3 hospital in Afghanistan.

25. Role 3 (Field Hospital / Modular Hospital Roles within a Role 3 (field or modular) hospital include  a wide array of medical and support staff who manage comprehensive, flexible, and mobile medical facilities. As the most advanced level of mobile medical care, Role 3 hospitals provide surgical and holding capabilities for both minor and major trauma and illnesses. 

26. Clinical staff Physicians:  Perform a wide range of medical operations, from minor procedures to extensive surgeries, such as those involving burns, limb salvage, and brain injuries. In combat or disaster situations, this can include damage control and forward resuscitative surgery. Surgeons:  Specialists who perform emergency and definitive surgical procedures. In a modular or field setting, they must be capable of working in austere or challenging environments.

27. Nurses:  Provide daily, ongoing patient care, administer medications, assess patients' needs, and implement care plans under high-stress, fast-paced conditions. Specialized nurses, such as those in the intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency department (ED), are also crucial. Allied health professionals:  A team of specialists who provide diagnostic and therapeutic services. This includes pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiology technicians, physical therapists, and dietitians

28. Patient care technicians (PCTs):  Assist nurses and other medical staff with daily patient needs, including bathing, dressing, and transportation. Paramedics and EMS personnel:  Work as field staff to provide pre-hospital emergency care and transport patients to the hospital. They must communicate with the hospital to relay critical patient information. 

29. Administrative and support staff Hospital administrators:  Oversee the day-to-day management of the hospital, including staff scheduling, resource management, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Medical logistics specialists:  Manage the procurement, storage, and distribution of all hospital supplies, including medical equipment, medicine, and food.

30. Cleanliness and sanitation staff:  Maintain a sterile environment by cleaning, decontaminating, and sanitizing hospital spaces, which is especially critical for infection control. Maintenance and engineering staff:  Provide crucial support by maintaining buildings, equipment, and utility systems, such as water, power, and waste disposal. Medical records and data administrators:  Manage and maintain patient records, ensuring proper documentation and data processing. 

31. Command and leadership roles Command staff:  Provide overall supervision and coordinate all administrative, logistical, and operational functions of the hospital. Chief of staff/Medical director:  Head the medical staff, providing leadership and guidance to ensure quality patient care and safety. 

32. Core functions of a Role 3 hospital team Regardless of their individual roles, all hospital personnel must collaborate to achieve core functions:  Triage and stabilization:  Upon arrival, medical staff must rapidly assess patients to prioritize and manage their care based on the severity of their condition. Definitive and resuscitative care:  The facility must provide comprehensive medical and surgical care for casualties, with some patients potentially being able to return to duty afterward.

33. Logistical support:  An extensive logistics chain must be maintained to ensure the facility remains mobile, self-contained, and self-sufficient for extended periods. Teamwork and adaptability:  Staff must be highly flexible and able to work effectively as a team in a demanding, fast-paced, and unpredictable environment. Patient transfer:  Manage the transfer of patients requiring longer-term or more specialized care to a Role 4 facility, typically located outside of the operational area. 

34. Field Hospital / Modular Hospital

35. Role 4 (Base Hospital / Definitive Care) Location:  Outside combat/disaster zone, in main city or country of origin. Functions: Definitive & specialized care (cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, plastic/reconstructive, rehab). Long-term care & rehabilitation. Equivalent:  A full tertiary hospital.

36. Components / Modules in Detail Each “module” is a building block: Triage & Reception Module  – classifies patients (immediate, delayed, expectant). Resuscitation Module  – airway, breathing, circulation stabilization. Surgical Module  – damage control surgery (laparotomy, thoracotomy, limb amputation, vascular shunting).

37. Critical Care/ICU Module  – ventilators, monitoring, sepsis control. Diagnostic Module  – imaging (X-ray, USG, portable CT), labs, blood bank. Evacuation & Transport Module  – road/air ambulances, helicopter landing pad. Decontamination Module  – CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) defense. Logistics & Supply Module  – food, water, electricity, oxygen supply, sterilization. Communication/Telemedicine Module  – for consultation with higher centers.

38. Civil & Military Applications Military: Used in wars (e.g., Gulf War, Afghanistan, Kargil). Saves lives by pushing surgical capability closer to battlefield.

39. Civil/Disaster Medicine: Earthquakes (Nepal 2015 – modular field hospitals). Tsunami 2004 – Indian Army deployed modular hospitals. COVID-19 – modular ICUs & oxygen supply units. Rural Healthcare: Mobile surgical camps in underserved regions.

40. Advantages Flexible & scalable. Rapid deployment anywhere. Standardized modules = predictable resource use. Ensures  continuity of care  in resource-limited settings.

41. Limitations Requires strong logistics (transport, supply chain). Expensive to set up. Dependent on evacuation routes (air/road). Limited long-term rehabilitation (must transfer to Role 4)

42. THANK YOU