Same Day Surgery Unit helps Yokota members

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- 1st Lt. Tracy Davis (right), 374th Surgical Operations Squadron Same Day Surgery Unit clinical nurse, and Staff Sgt. Eboni Scott, 374th MSGS Same Day Surgery Unit medical technician, simulate post-surgery care on Senior Airman Yethzurys Brown, 374th MSGS medical technician, at Yokota Air Base, June 17, 2011. The unit handles pre- and post-surgery patient care to include checking vital signs, administering IVs and patient discharges. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman John D. Partlow)

Same Day Surgery Unit helps Yokota members

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman Angeli Olivas, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron Same Day Surgery Unit medical technician, inputs patient data into a computer at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 17, 2011. The Same Day Surgery Unit uses electronic medical records for easier transfers between hospitals. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman John D. Partlow)

Same Day Surgery Unit helps Yokota members

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Eboni Scott, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron Same Day Surgery Unit medical technician, simulates administering an IV at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 17, 2011. The unit handles pre- and post-surgery patient care to include checking vital signs, administering IVs and patient discharges. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman John D. Partlow)

Same Day Surgery Unit helps patients feel like new

Published July 8, 2011
By Airman John D. Partlow
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Most people may cringe at the idea of going "under the knife," but the professionals here, at the 374th Surgical Operations Squadron Same Day Surgery Unit, make the surgical process a relatively painless one.

The unit is comprised of medical technicians and nurses who work with doctors to form surgical teams. They perform preoperative assessment of patients for health risks to facilitate a smooth surgery and recovery.

After surgery, the unit provides out-patient care such as medication prescriptions and patient discharges.

"We provide medically trained staff to support the six specialty surgical clinics here," said Maj. Aaron Dimitras, 374th MSGS Same Day Surgery Unit element chief. "The staff members are an asset to both the anesthesia service and the surgeons. Surgeons typically do not have registered nurses in their offices or clinics, so that's where we come in."

The staff must stay up-to-date with their medical training so they can provide quality care for their patients.

"We're always doing process improvements to see if there are better ways to do what we are doing," said Major Dimitras.

This unit also allows for Yokota members to receive critical surgeries in a timely manner without having to travel to other locations.

On average, surgeons at the hospital perform 550 surgeries per year, thus reducing Airmen's time away from their work centers.

"Our primary job is to make sure the needs of the patients are met and provide them with a safe surgical environment," said Staff Sgt. Eboni Scott, a medical technician assigned to the Same Day Surgery Unit.

The unit's service model also benefits its staff members by re-enforcing the same skill sets that are needed by them when they deploy.

"This unit is prepares Airmen for deployment," said Major Dimitras. "The nurses and the medical technicians in this environment are learning and using skills seen in these types of units downrange."

For Airman Angeli Olivas, another medical technician assigned to the unit, her job brings more to the table than just a pay check.

"It's very rewarding to take care of the patients and make sure they're comfortable before and after surgery," said Airman Olivas. "Being able to help the people here is really important."