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72nd Medical Group shows HeART during inspection

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Woodruff
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 72nd Medical Group has HeART and it showed during a recent inspection.
The 72nd MDG scored a 'Substantially Compliant' rating, the highest available, on the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care inspection last week. The inspection evaluated the group's compliance with national health care standards.

"The Mission Statement of the MDG is 'The MDG has HeART,'" said Col. Dean Prentice, 72nd MDG commander. "It is our battle cry, if you will, when it comes to every Medical Group member understanding how what they do on a daily basis means something. The acronym HeART is based off our four Medical Group goals: Healthy workplace and community, Accountable health care, mission Ready force and taking care of our Team."

Three civilian surveyors got a first-hand look at the MDG mission when they toured the medical facility. They inspected eight core AAAHC areas and 12 sub areas, looking for standard processes that complied with the accreditation handbook For example, a standard process for conscious sedation would be the same in any area of the 72nd MDG that used conscious sedation.

"We're still waiting for the final report, but overall we did great," Colonel Prentice said. "I expect only a few administrative findings."

The colonel said the surveyors want to make better facilities with quality care. "They offer professional, consultative comments and suggestions and it is that great exchange of ideas and feedback that only helps us to improve," he said.

Colonel Prentice said his proudest moment was when the surveyors acknowledged the challenges the 72nd MDG staff has faced in the last year and a half.

"Moving into a new building, the tornadoes, furlough, government shutdown, and now force shaping have certainly tried this team," he said. "But in the end, the team functions very well together. Our team is resilient."

The commander said the new medical facility played a vital role in the success of the inspection. He cited the excellent patient care areas and better working conditions for the staff, which improves morale and enhances the delivery of quality patient care.

The survey team recognized Kimberly Keilty of the 72nd Dental Squadron, Maj. Michael Madsen, the Family Practice medical director, and the Health and Wellness Center as outstanding performers.

Colonel Prentice said inspectors were impressed with the HAWC's Fit Program for active duty members struggling to pass the physical training test and the smoking cessation efforts. They also praised the dental clinic, mental health clinic and the Exceptional Family Member Program.

He also said the surveyors loved the Pharmacy team and their safety procedures --protocols to ensure the right medications are dispensed to the right patient.
"One of our customer complaints is that the pharmacy is slow. Could it be faster? Certainly, if we remove some of the safety procedures. As the commander, I made the decision to keep high safety standards, and this inspection validated that decision," Colonel Prentice said.

To maintain accreditation, the 72nd MDG must undergo a comprehensive inspection once every three years. There are military and civilian inspections for every Air Force medical facility. The 72nd MDG completed the military inspection in the fall of 2013 during the UEI.

Inspection preparation is an on-going process through self-inspection, briefings of the self-inspection results to the commander, and walk-throughs of patient care areas by executive staff members.

"I want all of Team Tinker to understand how lucky we are to have such high caliber health care, provided by such high caliber, professional Airmen," said Col. Christopher Azzano, 72nd Air Base Wing commander.

As for the Medical Group team, the colonel said the staff is on the right path to make it a great health care system. While there are set rules and expectations in the medical field that can't be changed, processes can always be improved, he said.

"My team -- I would go to war with them," Colonel Prentice said. "I'm just so proud of them."