47th MDG prepares for inspection

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Angela Martin
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  This week, the 47th Medical Group has been working to prepare for their upcoming inspection. The purpose of this inspection is to ensure Laughlin's clinic holds the highest standards when providing treatment to patients.

The inspection and accreditation survey will be conducted by the Air Force Inspection Agency, Health Services Inspection Branch and the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Dec. 6 through 10. Typically, these inspections occur every three years.

To meet accreditation, the clinic and staff have more than 200 specific AAAHC survey standards and detailed criteria to meet.

The three major categories inspectors will look into are medical operations, in-garrison medical operations and leadership. Within those categories, the inspection team will look at medical readiness and training, operational medicine, occupational health, mental health, dentistry, clinical services, population health and business management, patient education and the units interaction with the local community.

"Literally, there is no shop in the medical group they don't come and inspect," said Lt. Col. Kirk Phillips, 47th MDG deputy commander.

Lieutenant Colonel Phillips said the 47th MDG has done a thorough job on self-inspections so there should be no surprise write-ups. There are always areas that can be fine tuned, but the 47th MDG always provides top quality care and deploy mission ready Airmen.

"The 47th Medical Group strives to live their vision of providing an exceptional healthcare system that promotes innovation, a healthy community and a ready-to-fight force," said Lt. Col. Phillips.

"Staff members of the dental clinic are staying true to their office vision of making sure everyone at Laughlin is dentally worldwide qualified. It's vital to the Air Force's mission that all Airmen are ready to fly," said SSgt. Lynnette Pace of the 47th MDG Dental Clinic.

"Everywhere you look, staff members are hard at work preparing for the inspection and staying on top of their daily duties. There is a positive atmosphere of confidence around the clinic," said MSgt. Monica Desjardins, acting 47th MDG superintendent and first sergeant.

The MDG is a primary outpatient clinic with an outstanding record of service. Annually, the clinic sees nearly 5,000 Laughlin members within a 30 mile service area. They deliver approximately 8,000 flight medicine appointments, 4,500 pediatric appointments, 7,200 primary care appointments and 5,200 dental appointments. Additionally, they provide around 4,800 referrals for external medical care, 60,000 prescriptions, 5,000 Health Maintenance Organization visits and 46,600 laboratory and radiological

Currently, the clinic boasts a patient satisfaction rating of 99 percent overall.

With such outstanding records and staff members, Col. Pete Peters, 47th MDG commander said "the clinic has high expectations that they will perform very well on the upcoming inspection."