March 22, 2013 Edwards leadership reiterates protections provided for employees who seek mental health care In 2012, the Department of Defense released guidance for employees who had concerns regarding how their mental health history could adversely affect their security clearance. This guidance emphasized that the U.S. Government recognizes the vital importance of mental health and advocates the
March 22, 2013 Patient feedback system debuts online The Department of Defense has created a fast, easy way for patients to provide feedback on healthcare services they receive at San Antonio Military Health System facilities. Military treatment facilities in San Antonio are using the Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) system to improve services
March 21, 2013 MHS Leadership March Message Military Health System Team -The US National Security Strategy and the evolving environment of our Military Health System call for a commitment to develop leaders who are prepared and ready to meet our global healthcare mission. The Service SGs and DoD are committed to develop and maximize the
March 20, 2013 81st MDG conducts air evacuation training Members of the 81st Medical Group held simulated air evacuation training March 14 on the flightline at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.The training project headed by Col. (Dr.) Paul Nelson, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron chief of aerospace medicine, was a joint aeromedical integrated showcase
March 20, 2013 Airmen respond to simulated vehicle mass casualty As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Osan Air Base geared up March 17 for another operational readiness exercise, Beverly Midnight 13-02, testing their ability to defend the base, conduct daily operations, utilize their chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training, as well as
March 19, 2013 DOD announces pilot sites for Healthy Base Initiative Thirteen pilot sites will participate in the Healthy Base Initiative, a demonstration project for the Defense Department's Operation Live Well, Pentagon officials announced March 18.Among the 13 chosen were Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Yokota Air Base,
March 18, 2013 After The Battle: The bandage mission Editor's Note: This is the second in a four-part series about the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's medical response capabilities and the various teams within the wing who play a role in the care and transportation of combat wounded troops throughout Afghanistan.More than 70 years ago, the first flight
March 18, 2013 Physical therapy saves an arm and a leg With modern surgical techniques, more people are keeping limbs that may have been lost.However, the surgery is only half the story. The 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron Physical Therapy clinic in the Craig Joint Theater Hospital works to ensure those limbs remain useful."Our mission
March 18, 2013 PACANGEL-Philippines team treats nearly 7,000 patients The Operation Pacific Angel-Philippines medical mission officially ended March 9 here with 6,885 patients treated at two medical sites nearby, far exceeding the projected 4,500 mark.Hundreds of patients waited outside a sports and cultural center in Dumaguete seeking treatment on the final day of
March 14, 2013 Computer-assisted surgery a cutting-edge technology The sharp whine of a saw fills the room as a surgeon prepares to do his job. The surgeon prepares to make an incision, yet instead of looking at the patient, he looks to the computer screen next to the operating table. He plans the procedure by what he sees on the screen."The 673d Surgical
March 14, 2013 Flight nurses revolutionize military medical care Before World War II, the U.S. military showed little interest in using aircraft and flight nurses to evacuate wounded soldiers to rear areas. The global war, however, forced the U.S. Army Air Forces to revolutionize military medical care through the development of air evacuation (later known as
March 14, 2013 Medics share training with British Army Airmen shared U.S. methods for treating special combat injuries with British Army special forces during a combat medical refresher training here March 5 - 6.The training enabled Airmen from the 352nd Special Operations Support Squadron medical element and participants from the U.K.'s 19th Regiment
March 14, 2013 Family member medical clearance critical No matter the service branch you are in, getting notified of a permanent change of station sets into motion a series of steps and tasks.Each of these steps and tasks must be efficiently managed and accomplished before a service member can obtain his or her PCS orders. At least one of these steps
March 14, 2013 Battling Back: One Senior NCOs road to recovery Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder have been two topics of great discussion recently, thanks to the debate going on in the National Football League and the recovery of veterans as they return home from the war in Afghanistan.One person who has experienced both and is on the
March 13, 2013 Military substance abuse research progresses, doctor says Defense Department officials are developing research-based methods to curb substance abuse among service members, their families and veterans, a senior DOD medical official said here March 11.Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick -- the deputy director for force health protection and readiness programs in the
March 13, 2013 Medical Airmen move wounded warriors, provide closure Usually when a wounded Airman, Soldier, Sailor or Marine or Airman leaves the combat theater, they leave on a stretcher, surrounded by the beeps and hum of machines reading and reporting vital signs. Sometimes they are conscious, but all too often they are not -- suddenly waking in a hospital
March 13, 2013 U.S., Panama exercise interoperability, deliver medical assistance A multilateral team of U.S., Honduran and Panamanian military members and civilians joined forces to exercise Joint Task Force-Bravo's ability to conduct expeditionary medical operations and provide medical care for more than 1,200 patients in two villages Feb. 28-March 1, during the first Medical
March 12, 2013 New Air Force "Better Foods. Better Bodies." healthy-eating campaign pilots at three bases The Office of the Air Force Surgeon General and Air Force Medical Operations Agency (AFMOA) Health Promotion office have launched a pilot campaign recently focused on motivating Airmen and their families to eat healthier. The campaign - which adopted the tagline "Better Foods. Better Bodies." - aims
March 12, 2013 CASF: Sustainment care until wheels up Being deployed makes things a bit more difficult and challenging than at home station. One of those challenges is the sustainment of healthcare from the battlefield to a treatment facility.To help ensure that transition is smooth, the 651st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Contingency
March 12, 2013 Patient-centered care improving satisfaction An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is especially true in healthcare. Each year, millions choose to skip routine check-ups, enabling preventable diseases to end hundreds of thousands of lives. Would you delay maintenance on your vehicle until it breaks down? Of course not. Instead