509th Medical Group earns outstanding HSI rating

Published Aug. 2, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Kenya Shiloh
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The 509th Medical Group earned the highest rating in seven years for the entire Air Force during a recent Health Services Inspection July 12-16 here.

"We received an outstanding in the three areas and an outstanding overall which means we're doing an exceptional job in making sure we're keeping our finger on the pulse of the unit and taking care of our patients while at the same time taking care of the readiness mission and making sure the B-2s are ready to operate," said Col. Kathleen Dunn-Cane, 509th Medical Group commander. "An outstanding alone would be pretty impressive but to get the highest score in the last seven years is really remarkable."

A nine-member team from the Air Force Inspection Agency Medical Directorate conducted an in-depth assessment of the medical group's capabilities, while a three-member team from the Accreditation Association for the Ambulatory Health Care reviewed the facility's patient care and safety programs.

According to the colonel, the inspectors looked at 103 different elements broken down into three different categories: medical operations, in-garrison medical operations and leadership.

Within those categories, the inspection team looked at medical readiness and training, operational medicine, occupational health, mental health, dentistry, clinical services, population health and business management. Patient education and the unit's interaction with the community were also evaluated.

The success of the inspection rested heavily on the medical group's performance and the staff was well prepared for any scenario.

"In the medical field we say the HSI is an open-book test, you just have to open it and read it because we know the different criteria for both civilian and the HSI," Colonel Dunn-Cane said. "Since the medical group is required to build its self-inspection program based on the elements from the HSI and AAAHC staff members already know what areas are required to be compliant."

That attention to detail paid off as the inspection team highlighted several programs considered the best of the best. The 509th medical group was one of three clinics in the past two years of inspections whose infection-control program did not receive a write-up, according to an Air Force Inspection Agency executive summary. Also, the senior enlisted inspector said the group's on-the-job-training program was the best he's seen in two years he has been with the inspection agency, his first zero defect inspection for this area.

Both inspection teams also highlighted outstanding performers. Among them Staff Sgt. Emerald Coston, 509th Dental Squadron, Airman 1st Class Alanna McCafferty and James Esarey, 509th Medical Support Squadron were recognized by the HSI team. Capt. Charlotte Murphy, 509th Medical Group staff, was coined by the HSI inspection team Chief for her efforts as project officer for the inspection. Maj. Shelley Jay and Ellen Chappel, 509th Medical Group staff, were recognized by the AAACH team.

Throughout the inspection she received accolades from both teams about how professional and dedicated her staff members were.

"They really shined and took the opportunity to learn and grow from the inspection," Colonel Dunn-Cane said. "What could have been a real intimidating experience for our junior members, turned out to be a positive one. The inspectors not only evaluated us, but they also spent a lot of time teaching which is what they're charged to do. Our staff rose to the occasion and used this inspection as a learning experience."

The colonel said the staff did such a thorough job on the self-inspections that there were no surprise write-ups. She believes there are always areas that could be fine tuned, but overall she knows her staff provides top quality care.

"I am immensely proud of the 509th Medical Group staff members," Colonel Dunn-Cane said. "I know they do phenomenal work every day and it is wonderful having the inspection team validate what we already knew -- that we provide outstanding care."

USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)