Which level of care corresponds to a Combat Support Hospital providing in-theater medical/surgical care?

• A. Level 3
• B. Level 1
• C. Level 5
• D. Level 2

Answer: (A)

The level of care concept in military medicine describes how far forward care is provided and what capabilities a facility has. A Combat Support Hospital is a fully capable in-theater hospital that can perform surgery, provide resuscitation, and admit patients for inpatient care. That combination of surgical capability and on-site inpatient services is exactly what defines the third level of care. It’s more capable than the immediate aid and basic stabilization found forward, yet it sits before evacuation to higher-level, distant facilities if needed. So, the in-theater medical and surgical hospital corresponds to the third level of care.