Medical Evacuation (ATP 4-02.2 / FM 4-02.2)

Army Techniques Publication 4-02.2, "Medical Evacuation," provides doctrine and techniques for conducting medical evacuation and medical regulating operations. Medical evacuation encompasses both the evacuation of Soldiers from the point of injury (POI) or wounding to a medical treatment facility (MTF) staffed and equipped to provide essential care in theater and further evacuation from the theater to provide definitive, rehabilitative, and convalescent care in the continental United States (CONUS) and the movement of patients between MTFs or to staging facilities. Medical evacuation entails the provision of en route medical care; supports the joint health service support system; and links the continuum of care. In addition, it discusses the difference between medical evacuation and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), as well as coordination requirements for and the use of nonmedical transportation assets to accomplish the CASEVAC mission. The Army Health System (AHS) is a complex system of interrelated and interdependent systems which provides a continuum of medical treatment from the POI or wounding through successive roles of medical care to definitive, rehabilitative, and convalescent care in the CONUS, as required. Medical evacuation is the system which provides the vital linkage between the roles of care necessary to sustain the patient during transport. This is accomplished by providing en route medical care and emergency medical intervention, if required, and to enhance the individual's prognosis and to reduce long-term disability.