49 MDG ready for HSI

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
This week, the 49th Medical Group is undergoing a comprehensive inspection of the facility and its programs. 

The Health Service Inspection is the medical version of an Inspector General inspection, said Lt. Col. James Clapsaddle, 49th Medical Support Squadron commander. The inspection occurs once every three years and delves into every program the medical group supports. 

During the inspection, the inspectors are usually checking documentation that goes back at least two years, said Lt. Col. Madeline Howell, 49th Medical Operations Squadron commander. 

"In health care, there is no 'ramping up' for an inspection," she said. "Medical programs must maintain excellence from the time inspectors left the clinic three years ago until the time they return again. If you practice mediocre medicine half a year, then great medicine the other half, it does not average out to be a 'satisfactory' health care program. We have - and must show - an unbroken track record of providing good health care." 

About 13 inspectors will be at Holloman, three of which are civilian inspectors from the Accredited Association for Ambulatory Health Care, said Colonel Clapsaddle. The team is here to inspect the medical quality, training, facilities, documentation and patient satisfaction of Holloman's services. 

Safety is another big focus for the inspectors. 

"Clinics are here to heal the sick and care for the injured, they shouldn't make someone sick or injured," said Mrs. Dawn Wilder, 49 MDG Quality and Safety director. She explained that every year upwards of 90,000 people in the United States become sick or die as a result of an accident in clinics or hospitals. "The HSI and AAAHC inspectors scrub our programs to ensure such incidents don't happen in our facility." 

One of Holloman clinic's strong points is quality of patient care, said Colonel Clapsaddle. "Simply put, quality of patient care is ensuring the patient is getting the right care, from the right provider, at the right time, in the right place. Our providers, nurses and support staff are exceptional. Not only do they have to pass stringent Air Force IG quality criteria, they must also pass the identical inspections that civilian facilities must undergo to maintain their accreditation."

Beneficiaries may share their thoughts about the Medical Group with inspectors and may call Mrs. Wilder at 572-5447 if they desire to opportunity to provide comment.