Max
05-27-2004, 12:22 PM
Walter Reed Pioneers Pain Management Program
By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service
Third in a Three-Part Series
WASHINGTON, May 26, 2004 - Regional anesthesia, a technique that delivers local pain relief through a catheter, is gaining momentum as a pain-management technique for people wounded in battle.
Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Chester C. Buckenmaier III, chief of the regional anesthesia section at Washington's Walter Reed Army Medical Center, discusses continuous peripheral anesthesia blocks with George Washington University Medical Center Drs. Olya Quitkin, right, and Lavern Bentt. The visiting doctors from that facility, also in Washington, were at Walter Reed observing the technique. Photo by Rudi Williams
(Click photo for screen- resolution image); high-resolution image available.
Regional anesthesia, technically known as a continuous peripheral nerve block, theoretically can be used on all combat-wounded patients, noted Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Chester C. Buckenmaier III, chief of the regional anesthesia section at Walter Reed Army Medical center here. But he pointed out that the military medical profession isn't at that point -- yet.
"Like so many wars, this war occurred before we were ready," he said. "These blocks here at Walter Reed have only been around since 2000. We're very busy building a program. It takes money, and the hospital's budget is for the hospital's daily function. I have to get resources to build this program so we can do the training and the academic research that is developing this anesthetic for the battlefield."
It takes money and time to train Army anesthesiologists, Buckenmaier said. "We've been very fortunate with Congressman John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, through the John P. Murtha Neuroscience and Pain Institute, who supported us with $1.2 million last year," he said. "We're looking for between $6 million and $8 million this year to do the research and the academics that it takes to get this to the field (and make it) commonplace."
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2004/n05262004_200405261.html
By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service
Third in a Three-Part Series
WASHINGTON, May 26, 2004 - Regional anesthesia, a technique that delivers local pain relief through a catheter, is gaining momentum as a pain-management technique for people wounded in battle.
Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Chester C. Buckenmaier III, chief of the regional anesthesia section at Washington's Walter Reed Army Medical Center, discusses continuous peripheral anesthesia blocks with George Washington University Medical Center Drs. Olya Quitkin, right, and Lavern Bentt. The visiting doctors from that facility, also in Washington, were at Walter Reed observing the technique. Photo by Rudi Williams
(Click photo for screen- resolution image); high-resolution image available.
Regional anesthesia, technically known as a continuous peripheral nerve block, theoretically can be used on all combat-wounded patients, noted Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Chester C. Buckenmaier III, chief of the regional anesthesia section at Walter Reed Army Medical center here. But he pointed out that the military medical profession isn't at that point -- yet.
"Like so many wars, this war occurred before we were ready," he said. "These blocks here at Walter Reed have only been around since 2000. We're very busy building a program. It takes money, and the hospital's budget is for the hospital's daily function. I have to get resources to build this program so we can do the training and the academic research that is developing this anesthetic for the battlefield."
It takes money and time to train Army anesthesiologists, Buckenmaier said. "We've been very fortunate with Congressman John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, through the John P. Murtha Neuroscience and Pain Institute, who supported us with $1.2 million last year," he said. "We're looking for between $6 million and $8 million this year to do the research and the academics that it takes to get this to the field (and make it) commonplace."
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2004/n05262004_200405261.html