- 1) Most providers operating in austere locations have equipment geared towards combat casualty care, not necessarily care for patients in severe respiratory failure.
- 2) Oxygen supply is generally limited to a few portable oxygen tanks and oxygen concentrators not designed to provide high volume oxygen support.
- 3) Laboratory and radiologic evaluation capabilities are generally limited to non-existent.
- 4) Local and international supply lines have been significantly affected by COVID-19, with reduced resupply or delivery of disease specific supplies (e.g., testing kits and viral filters).
- 5) Time to medical evacuation may be significantly prolonged given the global nature of this crisis, lockdown over sovereign airspaces, and the need to limit impact to military air assets.
- 6) Most austere locations consist of relatively small camps (usually less than 100-300 personnel) with primarily younger, healthier populations. However, some personnel may fall into high risk categories. As such, based upon current epidemiology, planning should account for 1-3 critically ill patients at each austere location.