The Gateway

My name is Master Sgt. Wynton Hodges. I am a combat medic. I joined the Army in 1994. I served with the 172nd Stryker Brigade, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment.

During the course of my career, I have seen many innovations in medical technology. One of the major advancements used in my last deployment was the documenting of Soldier’s medical care with electronic medical records. I would help stabilize the trauma and transport the patient to a treatment facility. Then I would document the injury the Soldier sustained and the care given in the MC4 system.

The infantry platoon would go outside the operating base and carry out counter-insurgency operations. We would search house by house, block by block, checking buildings and vehicles for illegal weapons and contraband.

As we continued our dismounted patrol, I rounded a building and stepped on some loose pavement. It buckled under my weight. The ground gave way and my ankle snapped. I could hear it snap and I fell to the ground.

My fellow soldiers came quickly to my side. They helped me up but I could not walk. I was transported to the combat support hospital. Upon my arrival, I was taken immediately to x-ray. The films revealed an avulsion fracture of my ankle in two places.

During the next six weeks, I received medical treatment at my battalion aid station, the support battalion and also at the combat support facility. At each medical facility, my medical care was documented in the MC4 computer system.

Soon after returning to the States, I knew something was wrong with my leg. I was having difficulty walking. When I arrived at the physical therapist, he began asking questions about my previous injury. His questions included, “What date was the injury? What bones were broken? What treatment was rendered?” I couldn’t remember all the specific details. I remembered that when I was treated in theater, my information was captured in the MC4 system.

The therapist was then able to access my complete medical history from Iraq. He saw what diagnosis was given and the treatment regimen that was provided. The documentation is right there, in the computer. I remember what it was like when I was a flight medic in Bosnia. We didn’t have this type of system available.

It doesn’t matter if you are in two different theaters of war or if you’re back in the states during peace time. Healthcare providers can go into one database and pull someone’s medical history and all of the medical information is available to them.

Master Sgt. Wynton Hodges, Combat Medic, Fort Sam Houston, Texas