Descriptive Analysis of Medical Encounters Aboard 15 Navy Surface Ships Home-Ported in San Diego

摘要

There has been no mechanism for comprehensively monitoring shipboard illnesses and injuries in over a decade. Electronic medical encounter records from the Shipboard Non-Tactical ADP Program (SNAP) Automated Medical System (SAMS) installed aboard individual vessels are now available and were acquired for this descriptive study of sick-call visits aboard 15 San Diego, California, home-ported Navy ships. An extensive examination of ICD-9-CM diagnostic and demographic frequencies is presented. Of the 5,378 encounters examined, the most frequent major categorical complaints were respiratory (31%), injury and musculoskeletal (29%), dermatologic (9%), and infectious or parasitic illnesses (8%). Frequency of diagnosis was largely unrelated to gender, although men were more apt to be seen for sprains and strains and women for genitourinary conditions and reproductive services. Of 1,307 encounters that resulted in either modified/light duty or lost work, 60% were caused by upper respiratory infections (23%), intestinal disease (19%), and sprains/strains (18%). This is the first in-depth analysis of SAMS data obtained from a diverse sample of surface ships, and it demonstrates the substantial surveillance capability now available to continuously monitor shipboard health and readiness. Such surveillance, if monitored actively, should enhance our ability to intervene early, identify modifiable risks, assess prevention and control efforts, and improve the allocation of limited resources.