49th Medical Group rated excellent

  • Published
  • By Senior Airmen Terri Barriere
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (ACCNS) --  After four intense days of white glove inspections at the hands of 13 inspectors, the 49th Medical Group pulled out of its Health Services Inspection April 20 with an overall rating of excellent.

The 49th MDG faces many challenges from day to day, they were still able to come out on top, inspectors said. 

"Although understaffed and operating in a medically remote environment, the medical staff displayed a deep respect for patients and a reverence for their mission," said one member of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care team during the outbrief. "We were impressed that this unit could provide the safety and high quality of care in such a challenging location. Despite what I consider a severe manning shortage, I found high patient satisfaction when compared to other military and civilian facilities." 

A dual HSI and AAAHC inspection is much like the wing's Unit Compliance Inspection on steroids, said Lt. Col. James Clapsaddle, 49th Medical Support Squadron commander. 

The team inspected 16 major mission areas resulting in five outstanding ratings, nine excellent ratings and two satisfactory ratings for the overall excellent score. 

The HSI inspection team awarded the clinic the highest score of any Air force facility in Fiscal 2007. On a scale of zero to 100, the clinic scored a 91 percent. The AAAHC inspection team awarded the 49th MDG the highest rating it has ever given a military facility since they began inspecting military medical units.

According to Lt. Col. Diane Howell, 49th Medical Operations Squadron commander, the staff had both professional and personal reasons to do well during the inspection. 

"First of all, medics are no different than a lot of our other support brethren," she said. "They work a lot of grueling hours, weekends, family days and late nights on-call at the civilian facility with little recognition for their efforts. They find providing healthcare to be rewarding, so they don't mind the work, but having the Air Force inspection team tell you that you are the best at what you do makes it a bit more rewarding. Our staff just likes knowing they make a difference and are good at what they do." 

The group's commander agreed.

"The Fightin' 49er medics proved to the AF/IG that we were ready to meet all of our missions," said Col. Matt Adkins, 49 MDG commander. "We may have the smallest group in the 49th Fighter Wing, but we have a huge impact. We take care of America's most precious assets ─ the sons and daughters entrusted to us. I am extremely proud of our medics' diligence and devotion to duty. I serve with one tremendous group of professionals."