Photo By Staff Sgt. Shanice Ship | Brig. Gen. Robert J. Marks, Air Mobility Command surgeon and chief of the Air Force...... read more read more
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ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England- Brig. Gen. Robert J. Marks, Air Mobility Command surgeon and chief of the Air Force Nurse Corps visited the 48th Medical Group to discuss operational and readiness capabilities with key Liberty Wing medical staff Mar. 25.
During this visit, the 48th MDG highlighted personnel readiness and resources such as the new Comprehensive Medical Readiness Program scheduled for implementation at Royal Air Force Lakenheath starting April 2019.
The CMRP is a clinical skills sustainment program used to ensure the currency of medical personnel is maintained through checklist tasks and other requirements. CMRP divides medical readiness training into categories to support targeted application for specific specialties, personnel, and missions across the U.S. Air Force medical operations.
“We are still providing the computer-based trainings, but we’re implementing hands-on components and changing the focus to include skills necessary for deployment readiness,” said Tech. Sgt. Brandi Howard, 48th MDG Obstetrics & Gynecology acting flight chief. “Though we may provide routine care downrange, Airmen must know how to respond to trauma cases they may face behind the wire. Under the CMRP, we’ll be looking at cases such as burns, blast injuries and traumatic brain injuries. These are not cases our staff routinely get exposed to here at RAF Lakenheath.”
The program relies on exposure to various types of medical cases. The 48th MDG utilizes its partnership with the United Kingdom’s National Health Service to provide that exposure and plans to execute joint medical training exercises in the future. Clinical rotations at NHS hospitals help medics complete their CMR requirements.
“As wonderful as our emergency room is, we’re not getting the acuity we need to fulfill the hours necessary to satisfy the currency requirements for our staff,” said Senior Master Sgt. Nicholas Wentworth, 48th MDG Aerospace Medical Service functional manager. “We are fortunate to be able to rely on our partnership with the NHS hospitals to satisfy this need in conjunction with our simulation resources.”
The on-going partnership with the NHS hospitals provides additional training and exposure to high acuity cases not seen at the installation. The partnership with several local hospitals ensures personnel capitalize on clinical currency opportunities and take an active role in developing and maintaining their skills, according to Wentworth.
“I am impressed that 48th Medical Group has opened the door for our Airmen to integrate with the local hospitals to maintain their currency and enhance their proficiency,” said Marks. “It is critical that we foster and build on those partnerships that allow them to put into practice what they are learning. First exposure to trauma injuries shouldn’t be happening in a deployed location. It’s important that we allow those skills to develop before they are placed in a trauma situation downrange.”
Senior Airman Michelle Rice, 48th MDG immunization technician and one of the Airmen who completed a rotation at the local West Suffolk Hospital, experienced the benefits of this partnership firsthand. Rice actively participated in trauma care cases she would not have otherwise been exposed to, including code blues, which are medical emergencies such as cardiac or respiratory arrest.
“The CMR training is very useful, we have amazing simulation tools but that hands-on experience is something you just can’t teach,” Rice said. “I currently work in allergy and immunizations and I don't have a lot of ER experience. Integrating with the West Suffolk Hospital off base was huge for me. I saw a patient successfully resuscitated and it was life-changing.”
Medical readiness support starts with clinical currency to maintain the viability and effectiveness of its deployable medical capabilities. The ability of medics to provide quality healthcare directly support the U.S. Air Force’s readiness mission, said Howard.
“The quality of training is getting more detailed and evolving to enhance the capabilities of medical technicians,” Howard said. “The new shift to the CMRP is a step in the right direction to enhance readiness and the Liberty Wing’s medical force. Medics will be able to say ‘yes I take vital signs, but i also treat life-threatening injuries’. ”
| Date Taken: | 03.25.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.27.2019 09:48 |
| Story ID: | 315835 |
| Location: | RAF LAKENHEATH, SFK, GB |
| Web Views: | 2,512 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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