U.S. Field Medical Card (FMC)

INTRODUCTION

The Field Medical Card as a record of events may prevent accidental medication overdose, alert the receiving medical facility to any special patient care needed for treatment, and it provides an accurate record of care already given. 

Use, Components, and Requirements of the Field Medical Card (FMC)

Use - the field medical card (DD Form 1380) is used to document medical care given to casualties in a theater of operations

Components

(1)        Field medical cards are issued as a pad

(2)        Each pad contains an original card, a carbon protective sheet, and a duplicate

(3)        Each pad has an attached wire to attach to patient

Requirements - the field medical card must be

(1)        Reviewed and signed by the supervising AMEDD officer

(2)        Prepared on any patient treated within a theater of operations

(3)        Attached to the patient's clothing, where it will remain until their arrival at the hospital, their death and burial, or their return to duty

(4)               Written legibly and concisely

Provide minimum information required on the FMC

NOTE:  Each block of the FMC provides critical information to subsequent caregivers and must be properly filled in by the attending medic. Complete as a minimum, blocks 1,3,4,7,9, and 11. Complete blocks 2,5,6,8,12,13,14,15,16, and 17 as time permits.

BLOCK 1

(1)        Full name

(2)        Rank/grade

(3)        Social security number (SSN)

(4)        Military occupational specialty (MOS) or area of  concentration for specialty code

(5)         Religion and sex

BLOCK 3

(1)        Use the figures in the block to show the location of the injury or injuries

(2)        Check the appropriate box (es) to describe the casualty's injury or injuries

BLOCK 4 - check the appropriate box for level of consciousness

BLOCK 7

(1)        Check the yes or no box

(2)        Write the dose administered

(3)        Write the date and time it was administered

BLOCK 9

(1)        Write treatment given

(2)        Use block 14 for additional space

BLOCK 11 - your initials on the far right of the block

Complete the other blocks as time permits.  Most blocks are self-explanatory.  The following specifics are noted:

(1)        Block 2 - enter the casualty's unit and country of whose armed forces he/she is a member.  Check the armed services of the casualty

(2)        Block 5 - write the casualty's pulse rate and the time that the pulse was measured

(3)        Block 6 - check the yes or no box.  If a tourniquet is applied write the time and date it was applied.

(4)        Block 8 - write in the time, date, and type of IV solution given

(5)        Block 10 - check the appropriate box.  Write the date and time of disposition

(6)        Block 12 - write the time and date of the casualty's arrival.  Record the blood pressure, pulse, and respirations in the space provided.

(7)        Block 13 - document the appropriate comments by the date and time of observation

(8)        Block 14 - document the provider's orders by date and time.  Record the dose of tetanus administered and the time it was administered.  Record the type and dose of antibiotic administered and the time it was administered

(9)        Block 15 - the signature of the provider or medical officer and date is written in this block

(10)      Block 16 - check the appropriate box and enter the date and time

(11)      Block 17 - this block will be completed by the United Ministry Team.  Check the appropriate box of the service provided.  The signature of the chaplain providing the service is written in this block.

Review Authorized Abbreviations

NOTE:  In block 3 use only authorized abbreviation, however abbreviations may not be used for diagnostic terminologyAbraded wound - Abr. W

Contused wound - Cont. W

Fracture (compound) open - FC

Fracture (compound) open comminuted – FCC

Fracture simple (closed) - FS

Lacerated wound - LW

Multiple wounds - MW

Penetrating wound - Pen W

Perforating wound - Perf W

Severe - SV

Slight - SL

Gun Shot Wound - GSW

Steps in Initiating the Field Medical Card

Remove DD Forms 1380 from medical aid bag

Remove protective sheet from the carbon copy

Complete the minimum required blocks

Keep filled out white sheet (without wire)

Attach top form to casualty's uniform by twisting wire after threading it through the top buttonhole of uniform.  Keep field medical card in plain view.

SUMMARY

The Field Medical Card is a patient's lifeline when passed from one Medical Treatment Facility to another.  Mistakes or omissions on this form can cost lives.  Be sure you have mastered this procedure well.