Changes at McGuire clinic Published July 6, 2007 By Senior Airman Rachel Martinez 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- The medical clinic here has been implementing some changes in efforts to improve service. Recent changes include self check-in kiosks, a prescription drop-off box and a push for individual mobility readiness. Electronic patient self check-in kiosks were installed in the clinic about a month ago. The kiosks, which are used at other military treatment facilities around the Air Force, give patients the opportunity to virtually check-in for their appointment. Patients need only to swipe their ID card and follow the prompts to verify their information in order to check- in. "For the most part the response has been very good," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Steiner, 305th Medical Operations Squadron superintendent. "Most people like it. We do still have staff manning the desks in the case people don't want to use the kiosk or have questions." Currently, there are four kiosks in the clinic - near the pharmacy, primary care, extender and physical therapy. Having multiple kiosks increases the potential benefits. "Multiple kiosks increase the number of people who can check-in at one time," explained Sergeant Steiner. "The kiosks also free up our staff so they can help people who aren't checking in for an appointment but rather just have a question or need to pick-up drop-off paperwork. It improves our patient flow." The prescription drop-off box is also designed to improve patient service. In May, the pharmacy placed a steel box outside the West entrance doors to the clinic. This drop-off box allows patients to turn-in prescriptions during non-duty hours. Patients who are in a hurry and would rather drop-off their prescription and return later to pick it up may also use the drop-box. In addition, patients are able to check the availability of medicines in the pharmacy at the drop-box. "Our goal is to improve patient access to the pharmacy," said Capt. Crystal Hilaire, 305th Medical Group pharmacy officer in charge assistant. Civilian prescriptions dropped off prior to 10 a.m. will be ready for pick-up the following day at 2 p.m. Prescriptions dropped off after 10 a.m. will be ready two days later, at 2 p.m. Finally, the entire clinic staff has been putting an emphasis on individual mobility readiness for every active-duty servicemember. The goal is to improve the wing's IMR rates. This is primarily being accomplished through the use of easy passes and point-of-service. "Anytime an active-duty member goes into the clinic, whoever they see looks them up in our system to see if they need any service," explained Tech. Sgt. Jason Caldwell, 305th Aerospace Medicine Squadron public health technician. "If they are due for a service, they are given a yellow easy pass card with the required service annotated on it. Once they are through with their appointment, they can go get the required service taken care of." Monthly reports are sent to every unit deployment monitor, health monitor and to wing leadership, listing people who are yellow or red on their IMR status. Clinic staff has also been working through individual contact to improve the wing IMR rate. Since Oct. 10, 2006, the clinic has brought the base IMR rate up from 82 percent to 90 percent. "Each percent accounts for roughly 50 people," said Sergeant Caldwell. "That's about 450 people we helped get mobility ready." Those wishing to check their own IMR can visit the 305th Medical Group Web page at http://www.305thmedicalgroup.com/publichealth/imrsheriff.html.