Photo By Chief Petty Officer Kenneth Takada | Meet the team at Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Bremerton Detachment...... read more read more
There’s a reason why Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Bremerton Detachment Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is known as the best amongst the best when it comes to handling the largest radiation health program in Department of Defense (DoD).
Cited as the ‘gold standard’ by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Bureau of Navy Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) alike, that lofty benchmark was again recognized as the detachment’s medical records team was acknowledged for their accountability – and ownership – of approximately 15,000 medical records.
“Without the collective effort, the programs we manage for our customers could easily suffer resulting in potential health and safety risks to the shipyard employees. Our part of the mission ensures that the shipyard is able to continue their direct support to fleet readiness,” said Allen L. Truhn, Radiation Health program manager and clinic supervisor.
During the first quarter, the medical records team – comprised of David Shannon, lead med records technician, Juvy Pilapil, medical records technician; Charmel Gilbert, medical records technician; Barbara “Bobbie” Wyckoff, medical records technician; Sharon McKinnon, medical support assistant – meticulously completed a 100 percent Radiation Health Record review, resulting in a successful audit by NAVSEA.
Keeping track of every record can be a challenge, attests Truhn.
“With thousands of employees in the radiation health program, the possibility of record errors is high simply due to the large volume. We complete on average 200 radiation medical exams per month and file 10,000 pages of radiation exposure data annually. The past two years we have had no medical records deficiencies on either the NAVSEA or BUMED annual inspections. This is a testament to the dedication to the job that all of our medical records folks have,” said Truhn, adding that NAVSEA inspects all radiation health programs annually to ensure that all program requirements are being met and that all personnel in the program are medically qualified, trained and monitored.
The significance of being noted for 100 percent accountability in a review is not lost on Truhn and others. Yet the recognition for doing the job correctly is really just a by-product of having an effective radiation health program.
“Our review provides assurance to inspecting agencies that all personnel in the radiation protection program who are being monitored for potential radiation exposure have current, valid medical examinations and up-to-date exposure records,” affirmed Truhn.
Truhn explained that each medical record for occupational health services ensures that every employee has all exposure hazards and surveillance exams accurately documented so that any potential medical concerns can be addressed in a timely manner.
“This provides transparency for inspecting agencies such as BUMED and NAVSEA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration,” said Truhn.
The medical records team manages all aspects of records maintenance. Their duties include establishing new records, filing all documents, making copies, closing records when employees retire, separate or transfer; archiving records as needed; and handling approximately 100 records on a daily basis for upcoming and completed appointments. They also serve as front desk clerks for the Employee Health Department and report accidents and injuries to the shipyard safety department.
The vast majority of records – more than 12,000 - are for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, but the medical records team also provides service to other tenant commands such as the Defense Logistics Agency, DoD Police and Federal Fire and Naval Reactors Regional Office, as well as any active duty member assigned to PSNS & IMF, Commander Naval Air Forces and others.
“The efforts that everyone puts into their jobs on a daily basis is what makes the clinic as a whole operate as smoothly and efficiently as it does,” commented Truhn.
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2021 18:04 |
| Story ID: | 395861 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Medical Records Team lauded for Radiation Health Record Review, by Douglas Stutz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT