EXPERIENCES WITH EXTENDED-DURATION MEDICAL LABORATORY SUPPORT IN DEPLOYABLE MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Medical laboratory services in an echelon-II Deployable Medical System s environment were examined after a 6-month deployment in Guatemala-Fu ertes Caminos 94 (N), The limitations in preparing and executing labor atory operations by U.S. Army Reserve units using Minimal Essential Eq uipment for Training components were identified, Corrective actions fo r planning future operations requiring laboratory support were address ed, Despite significant limitations, 353 laboratory procedures were co nducted to standard, Additionally, laboratory procedures supporting bl ood-transfusion activities was successfully undertaken, Employment of laboratory services in remote environments for extended durations requ ires special attention and complete planning to ensure that all elemen ts of care are in place to support medical operations.