USS George H.W. Bush Conducts Two Appendectomies Underway

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jessica Echerri, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Health Services department surgical team completed two appendectomies aboard the ship Jan. 25 and Jan. 31.

The team performed a total of two appendectomies that took between one to four hours each and both patients were released from medical within 24 hours.

"We are here to support the battle crew," said Lt. Kennett Radford, George H.W. Bush certified registered nurse anesthetist. "We are the community hospital for the strike group."

Part of Health Service department's mission is to provide medical assistance to enhance the mission readiness of the crew, said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Knipp, George H.W. Bush general surgeon.

"During one of the surgeries, there was no flying anywhere because the weather was bad," Knipp said. "So it's a good thing that we can perform general surgeries on board."

The ship's operating room (OR) is similar to an OR in a shore-based hospital, but the doctors have to make use of their limited resources.

"A regular hospital has a lot more diagnostic capabilities, so we have a lot more practice using basic physical exam skills," Knipp said. "For example, a CT scan is too big to fit on the ship so we have to do without it."

Knipp said another difference between working on a ship instead of a shore-based hospital is the people he works with.

"When I worked on shore, the surgical technicians I worked with changed every surgery," Knipp said. "One wonderful thing about working here is I know who my team is going to be. We've gelled into one, cohesive unit."

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Marc Maribao and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (SW) David Cumpian are the ship's surgical technicians. They assist the surgical team by prepping the OR, accounting for supplies used during surgery, and caring for patients after surgery.

"So far, every surgery is a success," Knipp said. "I have my great team to thank for that."

George H.W. Bush is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for a combat deployment this spring.

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77/.

This article was sponsored by Military Books.