Medics at the Baghdad combat support hospital, CASH, saved the lives of six soldiers and CBS correspondent Kimberly Dozier, who were injured in a roadside attack, May 29, 2006.
(Medics)
In late January, when military doctors saved the lives of our colleagues Bob Woodruff and Doug Vogt, we saw firsthand just how sophisticated medical care is for the troops in Iraq.
We were reminded again this week when doctors did the same for CBS correspondent Kimberly Dozier, who was injured during a roadside attack in Iraq.
The doctors in Baghdad were ready to work at a moment's notice.
"We don't really need much preparation. These medics, these nurses are so good, I just walk into a place that's ready to rock and roll right when I get there," said Capt. David Steinbruner, an emergency room doctor.
He works at the Baghdad combat support hospital, or CASH, which is a direct descendant of the Korean War-era MASH units.
"We always prepare for worst case scenarios, so we never are surprised by what we get," said Sgt. Brandom Benjamin, an ER medic. "If you prepare for the worst, then you can handle the easy stuff."
The unit treats Iraqis -- children and adults -- as well as the troops. The team worked on Dozier and the soldiers who were injured by an improvised explosive device on Monday. For the medics, it was just another day at the office.
"A lot of people come in with their legs missing, extremities missing, a lot of shrapnel to their lower extremities, to their heads, a lot of gunshot wounds. … Wwe see a lot of burns," said emergency room medic Sgt. Bennette Crosby.
During Monday's attack they were so busy at this unit that they ran low on blood, so they got on the loudspeakers and asked for help. Soldiers based near the hospital rolled up their sleeves and in no time they had 100 pints.
"Our soldiers here, out here in Iraq, are willing to do whatever it takes. If it takes giving blood they give blood," Benjamin said.
"This is one of the best trauma centers in the world right now, unique because of the volume that we see of trauma," Steinbruner said. "There's no background noise. There's not a lot of back pain or chronic abdominal pain. … What we just have is pure trauma."
