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Responsibilities

The EACE has the following responsibilities based on public law:

• To implement a comprehensive plan and strategy for the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic extremity injuries and amputations.
• To conduct research to develop scientific information aimed at saving injured extremities, avoiding amputations, and preserving the function of injured extremities. Such research shall address military medical needs and include the full scale of scientific inquiry encompassing basic, translational, and clinical research.
• To carry out such other activities to improve and enhance the efforts of the DoD and VA for the mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of traumatic extremity injuries and amputations as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs consider appropriate.

The EACE is organized into four primary areas of responsibilities:

Research and Surveillance Division

The Research and Surveillance Division will identify relevant research gap areas, direct and execute a patient-centric intramural research program within the Advanced Rehabilitation Centers located in Bethesda, Md, San Diego, Ca. and San Antonio, Texas. The Research and Surveillance Division also provides coordination and oversight for extramural research initiatives approved for conduct within the ARCs. Additionally, the EACE also works closely with the VA, Medical Research and Materiel Command, Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, and other Centers of Excellence to assure research outcomes from intramural and extramural efforts are translated to clinical practice through the dissemination of salient findings to key stakeholders.

Clinical Care Division

The Clinical Care Division serves to foster improved coordination of care (surgical, non-surgical, and rehabilitation) between the DoD, VA, and civilian resources to improve efficiency and maintain compassionate, high-quality care for all service members and Veterans. The Clinical Care Division operates to analyze and disseminate the most current standards of care and evidence based practices and provides policy guidance for the treatment, management, and rehabilitation of extremity injuries and amputations in order to mitigate co-morbidities and maximize the functional return of patients. Determining best practices, particularly in the field of prosthetics, can bring about significant cost savings as well as enhance readiness by allowing service members to return to full duty.

Clinical Informatics and Technology Division

The Clinical Informatics and Technology Division uses clinical information, healthcare data systems, and modern technology to support clinical care and research efforts designed to improve the health outcomes of extremity trauma and amputee service members. The Clinical Informatics and Technology Division will build upon the Federated Registry Data Warehouse through linkages with existing data systems such as the Joint Theater Trauma Registry, Military Orthopedic Trauma Registry, and the VA Amputation System of Care Outcome Repository. Aligning to Electronic Health Records will identify individuals, demographics, and practices to study variations among and effectiveness of acute and rehabilitation care practices, prosthetic technology and services, incidence of complications, mitigation of secondary disabilities, patient outcomes and quality of life.

Global Outreach Division

The Global Outreach Division serves to build relationships with applicable national and international entities to maintain clinical readiness, enhance education, develop research partners and support efforts related to traumatic extremity injuries and amputations. Education and training is a crucial component of global outreach and supports the implementation of evidenced based programs. Unified, collaborative efforts among DOD, VA, academia, industry and international partners toward advancements in mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of extremity trauma and amputation patients must be established through outreach awareness and advocacy. A key mission of the Global Outreach Division is supporting Unified Commanders and the medical aspects of theater security assistance which may include development of amputation systems of care in coalition countries.