AWARD WINNERS: MERT TEAM (Medical Emergency Response Team)

AWARD WINNERS: MERT TEAM (Medical Emergency Response Team)

HM FORCES MEDIC (S)

Nominator: Fiona M McGlynn

AWARD WINNERS: MERT TEAM (Medical Emergency response Team)

Tri-Service MO

Emergency Medicine Nurses RAF
Paramedics RAF

Paramedics RAF Reserves 4626 Sqn

The Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) is used on deployed operations to provide in-flight pre hospital emergency care (PHEC). It utilises a multi-disciplinary team to effect the expeditious and safe transfer of patients by air from Point Of Injury on the battlefield to an initial Medical Treatment Facility whilst maintaining logistical and governance processes. In essence, MERT brings the emergency department (ED) to the battlefield and provides advanced resuscitation procedures to HM Armed Forces, our coalition partners, the civilian population and captured personnel.

The team comprises of a Medical Officer (MO) usually a consultant in anaesthetics or emergency medicine, a RAF emergency medicine nurse and two RAF paramedics. The presence of the MO ensures that the MERT can undertake specific procedures which include: advanced airway management, RSI, intubation and ventilation, transfusion of blood products, stronger analgesia and exercising a greater degree of clinical judgement despite the limitations of working in a tactically flying helicopter.

Since its development in 2006, MERT is constantly evolving in response to the clinical conditions of the patients they treat. The transfusion of blood products in flight commenced in 2007. The production of both Administrative and Clinical Standard Operating Procedures ensure patients are receiving current evidence based best practice. MERT must adhere to the pillars of HealthCare Governance and have regular assurance visits to ensure this is maintained.

Evacuation by the MERT is on a CH47 Chinook airframe with an apache attack helicopter providing over watch. MERT are protected when they land in tactical situations by 4 members of the RAF Regt. The CH47 provides the best reach, speed and protection however; it is a big, noisy, relatively slow moving target for the insurgents. Once the patients are enplaned MERT personnel commence advanced resuscitation procedures, as necessary en route back to the ED at the Role 3 hospital, where they are further resuscitated and stabilised prior to returning to the UK via the Aeromedical Evacuation system. Each link in this chain is contributing to saving lives and improving the quality of life of our injured Servicemen & women

The MERT complete Patient Record Forms for each patient, which are returned to the UK for analysis. These records highlight the mechanisms of injuries: from Gun Shot Wounds to Improvised Explosive Devices (road side bombs). These forms assist us in identifying trends, training requirements and lessons identified. Analysing the Injury Severity Score data indicates that of the patients who have scored so highly that their injuries were deemed not compatible with life, in excess of 70 soldiers, airmen and seamen have survived to tell their story.

The work of the military in Afghanistan has assisted in improving the care provided in the PHEC arena both here and in the US. The use of: tourniquets, pelvic binders, IO and FAST devices, the early transfusion of blood products and tranexamic acid are contributing to saving lives of NHS patients.

This dedicated team provide a phenomenal service to the brave Servicemen & women of HM Armed Forces.