Quality of medical care provided to service members with combat-related limb amputations

Abstract

A group of 158 service members who sustained major limb amputations during the global war on terrorism were surveyed on their satisfaction with the quality of care received from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) Amputee Clinic from the time of their injury to their inpatient discharge. Of these participants, 96% were male, 77% were Caucasian, 89% were enlisted personnel, and 68% had sustained lower-limb amputations. WRAMC inpatient therapy, peer visitors, overall medical care, and pain management received particularly high satisfaction ratings. Age, race, rank, and level and side of amputation had little effect on overall satisfaction ratings. Significant differences, however, were found by location of injury (Iraq vs Afghanistan, Cuba, and Africa) regarding satisfaction with care received while in Europe and with the education process at WRAMC. Study findings strongly support the rehabilitation-based, integrative care approach designed by the U.S. military to care for service members with amputations.