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Patient-Centered Care Initiatives
Posted 7/30/2012 Updated 10/19/2012
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Commentary by Col. Paul Skala
325th Medical Group commander
7/30/2012 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- In order to provide active duty military members, dependents, and retired patriots in the Panama City area with best of class patient-centered care and an enhanced customer experience, the 325th Medical Group has launched several new initiatives.
The first initiative is the Air Force Surgeon General's Patient Centered Medical Home. Within Tyndall Clinic's PCMH, military members and their family are enrolled to a dedicated team of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and technicians who will learn about each individual's unique medical needs and develop a tailored plan to meet those needs.
Patients should not have to worry about seeing a different provider each and every time they visit the clinic. Therefore, every effort is being made to ensure they are cared for by the same PCMH team every time they visit the clinic. The improved continuity between patients and their dedicated PCMH team will improve both care management and patient results.
Unlike traditional healthcare models, where patients are simply receivers of care, Tyndall Clinic's PCMH places the patient at the center of healthcare delivery and empowers them to become proactively involved in their health in order to prevent illness and disease. The individual's medical team's goal is to meet healthcare needs through the delivery of continuous, comprehensive, and personalized prevention-based healthcare.
To streamline access to PCMH, Tyndall Clinic will be implementing a centralized Family Health, Pediatric, and Women's Health check-in and check-out desk (located at the main entrance) which will expedite care within the clinic and coordinate necessary referral care with downtown providers. Check-in for Flight Medicine care will remain in the Flight Medicine clinic.
Secondly, as of July of 2012, the Tyndall Clinic Radiology Department has a brand new Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine that has increased diagnostic imaging capability and capacity for patients. This $2.6 million dollar Department of Defense-Veterans Administration Joint Incentive Fund project, replaces a mobile MRI trailer unit and provides the in-house radiologist with clearer pictures, better resolution and detail, and improved accessibility for patients.
The in-house MRI also offers significantly increased space for patient preparation, dressing room, and scanner maintenance areas. Overall, the new MRI has increased the ability for patients to accomplish exams here at the 325th Medical Group thus avoiding a trip downtown.
Finally, in order to maintain the healthiest Airmen and families in our Air Force, it is the responsibility of everyone to practice good preventative health measures. This means accomplishing required preventative health assessment screenings, immunizations, preventative exams (mammograms, pap smears, cholesterol, etc.) on time.
To maintain access for patients and to take the best care of Airmen's preventive health needs, it is important for patients to keep their scheduled appointments. Failing to present for a scheduled medical appointment not only disrupts the patient's overall care, but also costs the Tyndall Clinic thousands of dollars annually in a fiscally austere environment. Our collective success in building a healthy population for the Tyndall family is dependent upon a proactive commitment to health.
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