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87th MDG improving services, saving money

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  In the winter of 2014, 87th Medical Group service members embarked on a mission to improve their quality of care to joint base community members, all while saving money.

Some of the 87th MDG performance improvement function benefits include the revamping of the current referral process, physical therapy, reduction of emergency room visits, childhood immunizations, medical in- and out-processing, dental readiness, provider peer review process and breast cancer screening.

While most of these improvements occur behind the scenes one of the most visible is the Self-Initiated Care Kit Program, which offers a direct benefit to the patient. The program provides training to patients to help them determine what level of care is required for their illness or injury and to self-medicate for minor illnesses, without having to wait for an appointment.

"These impacts are far reaching, improving the quality, safety and access to care provided to our patients," said Herman. "Some projects have had direct savings in dollars to the taxpayers; others have created more efficient processes, saving our patients and personnel time and effort."

Some less-visible projects have resulted in improved quality of care; patient safety; improved access to care and service; and time and financial savings to the joint base.

"We have been able to reduce our emergency room visits by 15 percent, saving more than $500,000 a year," said Herman. "[We have also] expanded our physical therapy, thereby nearly eliminating active duty referrals to local providers. While this not only saves nearly $400,000 a year in purchased care costs, it also saves thousands of man-hours, eliminating the need for our active duty members to drive 45 minutes each way, two to three times a week for post-operative therapy."

The 87th MDG has also partnered with community hospitals to share training and professional development for necessary certification training, cutting costs for temporary duty trips.

The 87th MDG consists of 12 clinics which offer many different services ranging from pediatrics to flight medicine. The group also manages its own radiology, optometry and pharmacy. The clinic is staffed by more than 370 personnel, including physicians, dentists, nurses and medical assistants.

"About 10,000 civilian dependents and retirees are enrolled here, plus an additional 30,000 who are eligible to use the pharmacy," said Lt. Col. Sarah Vick, 87th MDG medical staff chief. "When we get a chance we utilize volunteers, especially in the pharmacy."

According to Herman, the effects are tangible - there has been an improvement in customer satisfaction surveys.

"Our goal and that of our group commander, is to create a culture so that down to the newest Airman, ideas on how to do things better can flourish and be supported by leadership at all levels," said Lt. Col. Andrew Herman, 87th MDG administrator.