Clinic staff keeps JBB warriors healthy

Photo By Senior Airman Brittany Bateman | Staff Sgt. Rebecca Bramlett, 332nd Expeditionary Aerospace Medical Squadron NCO of immunizations, takes a look at Senior Airman Wes Carter's small pox shot to ensure it is healing properly at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Jan. 20. The average patient load for the clinic is about 350-500 people a week.  

BALAD, IRAQ

01.28.2010

Story by Airman 1st Class Allison Boehm 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Needle sticks, dressing changes, ointment applications--it's all in a day's work to keep deployed troops in the fight.

The 332nd Expeditionary Aerospace Medical Squadron Primary Care Clinic contributes to the health and welfare of the inhabitants of JBB. Along with aiding servicemembers, they also take care of third-country nationals and civilians who work on base.

"We are here for everyone," said Master Sgt. Joseph McCorquodale, 332nd EAMDS primary care clinic flight chief. "We see health concerns before they get to the point where people have to be operated on or evacuated. We are able to treat our patients quickly for the small things, which mitigate the health risks that have the potential to become a bigger issue and become a health hazard."

The Air Force clinic, which is made up of bio-environmental, public health, immunizations and the primary care clinic, takes on the responsibility of seeing 350 to 500 patients weekly.

In doing so, the Airmen who work in the clinic stay busy scouring the base for possible hazards, seeing patients for sick call, giving required immunizations, and managing records to ensure the quality of health on JBB.

"We have a big responsibility here at the clinic," said Staff Sgt. Rebecca Bramlett, 332nd EAMDS Primary Care Clinic NCO in charge of immunizations. "If we weren't here, the emergency room would be overrun. For that reason, we are equipped to do any minor procedure. We also have the means to immunize people with 10 vaccines that treat for possible threats determined in deployed location."

The work the Air Force clinic provides helps keep the mission at JBB going.

"A five-minute sick call may save three weeks worth of work," said Sergeant McCorquodale. "We expedite and make their quick return back to the fight possible."

• Date Taken: 01.28.2010
• Date Posted: 01.28.2010 06:30
• Story ID: 44547
• Location: BALAD, IQ