801st Forward Surgical Team

WELCOME TO THE 801st FST HOMEPAGE !!!

The mission of the Forward Surgical Team is to provide a rapidly deployable, immediate surgery capability, enabling patients to withstand further evacuation. The requirement to project surgery forward increases as a result of the extended battlefield. This small, lightweight surgical team is designed to complement and augment emergency treatment capabilities for the brigade-sized task force.

Forward Surgical Teams are structured to perform urgent, initial surgery. Types of patients handled by the FST include the following:

- Major chest and/or abdominal wounds.

- Continuing hemorrhage.

- Severe shock.

- Wounds causing airway compromise or

respiratory distress.

- Acutely deteriorating level of consciousness

with closed head wounds.

These 20-person units are organized into four functional areas: triage-trauma management (TTM), surgery, recovery and administration/operations.

Forward surgery on the wounded who must be subsequently evacuated is not complete surgery--it is the initial effort required to save life or limb and to render the patient transportable.

The FST consists of the following members:

- 3 General Surgeons (61J)

- 1 Orthopedic Surgeon (61M)

- 1 Critical Care Nurse (66H8A)

- 2 Clinical Nurse Anesthetists (66F)

- 1 Operating Room Nurse (66E)

- 1 Medical-Surgery Nurse (66H)

- 1 Field Medical Officer/Ops (70B67)

- 4 Emergency Medical Technicians (91B)

- 3 Surgical Technologists (91D)

- 3 Practical Nurses (91C)

Ref: FM 8-10-25 Employment of Forward Surgical Teams