5th MDG sets the bar high

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 5th Medical Group scored an "Excellent" rating during two major inspections here Jan. 9 through 11.

The 5th MDG was inspected by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare for certification purposes, while the Air Force Inspection Agency performed a health services inspection concurrently. These inspections are conducted every three years.

According to AAAHC officials, accreditation is a voluntary process through which an ambulatory health-care organization is able to measure the quality of its services and performance against nationally recognized standards.

"It's basically our license to practice," said Chief Master Sgt. Elizabeth Czyszczon, 5th MDG superintendent. "It's something the Air Force requires."

According to David Lindee, 5th MDG chief of quality services, AAAHC accreditation is something that sets the 5th MDG and other Air Force clinics apart from civilian clinics.

"Though many will pursue it, civilian clinics are not required to have this certification," said Mr. Lindee. "What the Air Force has done is bring in the most nationally recognized medical accrediting agency and said, 'we're going to go above and beyond to ensure our people are getting the quality medical service they deserve.'"

The AAAHC inspection checklist has over 800 items on it, covering everything from dental operations to outpatient care.

"The AAAHC doesn't provide a final inspection score until six weeks following the on-site inspection," said Col. James Hougas, 5th MDG commander. "They recognize an organization as 'accredited,' 'accredited with recommendations (for immediate improvement)' or 'not accredited.' Preliminarily, the 5th MDG is expected to receive an accredited, the highest possible score."

According to Dr. Brian Murray, AAAHC inspection team chief, the AAAHC had to look hard to find anything they even had a question on.

"They had to go back three years before they found something on chart review, and that was resolved in the interview process," said Colonel Hougas. "That fact alone speaks volumes about the quality of health services we provide here. You'd be hard-pressed to find that kind of record elsewhere. Still, we know there are always areas in which we can improve."

The AAAHC's inspection comments included: "benchmark peer review"; "credentials meticulously maintained and well done"; and "health and wellness center excellent."

While undergoing the AAAHC inspection, the 5th MDG also faced an HSI.

A nine-person panel inspected the 5th MDG in three major categories: expeditionary medical operations; in-garrison operations; and leadership. These categories then broke down into 16 subcategories, with over 1,100 inspection items.

"Basically, the HSI is our military license to operate," said Colonel Hougas.

An HSI grade is based on the standard five-tier evaluation system: outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal and unsatisfactory.

The 5th MDG had six of the 16 inspection categories score an "Outstanding," seven an "Excellent," and four a "Satisfactory."

"One inspector commented that our on-the-job training program was the first OJT program in Air Force health facilities to receive a satisfactory or better score in the last two years," said Mr. Lindee. "The amount of documentation required to pass is incredible, but it's something the 5th MDG excelled at."

According to the HSI team, the 5th MDG is providing excellent health care to Minot AFB's beneficiary population.

"The 5th MDG health-care programs provide very effective oversight and ensure both first-rate care and uncompromised safety of the patients and the community," said HSI officials. "The medical group commander and executive leadership team are a dynamic and cohesive team actively engaged and committed to maximizing readiness and health-care availability and ensuring the 5th MDG provides superior health care to the Minot community."

"An overall score of 'Excellent' is a terrific outcome," said Brig. Gen. Thomas Travis, Air Combat Command surgeon general. "The 5th MDG did an excellent job and far exceeded the standard!"

With these results, the 5th MDG looks to only get better, having set the bar high for Minot AFB and medical groups Air Force-wide.

"When Airmen are confident in the quality of health care they and their families are receiving, they are more focused warfighters," said Col. Hougas. "And together, Team Minot is better prepared to project airpower worldwide."