PREPARATION FOR DESERT-STORM - EXPANSION OF AN OVERSEAS AIR-FORCE HOSPITAL PHARMACY TO HANDLE CASUALTIES

The planning and execution for contingency pharmacy services in suppor t of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm in an overseas Air Force Me dical Center are described. These operations presented the staff with far different challenges than the contingency support plan that had be en in place for several years. That plan focused medical operations ba sed on armed conflict in Central Europe. With conflict now imminent in the Persian Gulf, over 8 hours flying time away from our facility, ou r priorities and mission changed tremendously. This conflict demanded prompt action by the Department of Pharmacy to ensure comprehensive se rvices in support of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm Without int erruption of services to the local military community. Pharmacy planni ng focused on four basic areas: (1) supply requirements, (2) contingen cy staffing requirements, (3) expansion of inpatient pharmacy services , and (4) modifications to outpatient pharmacy services. A modified co ntingency plan assured professional pharmaceutical services for over 3 ,000 patients suffering injuries in the 12 months American forces were deployed to the Persian Gulf.