TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- As the 325th Medical Group completes the move into the temporary facility, the staff wants to ensure patients that there will not be a lapse in healthcare.
The 325th MDG clinic will be undergoing renovations intending to focus on patient care and bringing the building into the 21st century.
“Our current project cost $47 million to completely modernize the medical clinic from the original building that was built in 1965,” said Michael Palase, 325th MDG facility manager. “The construction period will be going through to March 2019. The construction project will modernize the facility – we are still in an old hospital chaise, these renovations will move us into a medical mall concept. This will help with patient flow, way finding, and upgrade our electrical mechanical systems.”
With the new layout of healthcare sections, the professionals of the 325th MDG anticipate some confusion as patients become accustomed to the change, but have multiple signs posted inside and outside of the facility to assist with patient flow.
“I think the biggest change for our patients will be having to bounce back and forth,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Martinez, 325th MDG independent duty medical technician. “We have the patient care, laboratory and physical therapy here. If we prescribe medications, patients will have to go to the main clinic to fill those prescriptions. The move doesn’t hinder things it’s just a little slower right now. We have to get our patients used to where we are. We have signage out front to help them find their way. After they get used to that I think patient flow will go a little more quickly.”
Martinez went on to say that members of the 325th MDG will answer questions patients may have about the new layout and provide directions on how to get to specific sections.
As patients walk the halls of the new facility, they may also see a member of the staff admiring the new accommodations.
“The facilities look so great,” said Senior Airman Danica Guerrero, 325th MDG medical technician. “I was half expecting something like a container that you would expect to see in a deployed environment. They did a really good job in constructing the temporary facility for us. It took a lot of coordination, time management and teamwork to move all our equipment into this new facility.”
With the staff of the 325th MDG and the patients becoming used to the new facility and patient flow, they ask for understanding as they continue to provide healthcare to residents of Tyndall and the surrounding area.
“Please be patient with us during this time as we make major improvements to better serve our patients,” Palase said. “This investment is valuable to everyone because we are modernizing and providing a world-class facility to better serve our patients and staff and extend the life of the building another 30 years.”
For construction updates visit www.tyndall.af.mil or the Tyndall Air Force Base Facebook page at www.facebook.com/325FWTyndall/