6th MDG undergoes health services inspection

  • Published
  • By Maj. Kirk Jenkins
  • 6th Medical Group
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  What a great time to be a part of the 6th Medical Group. Each day, we have the distinct honor of delivering a wide range of health care services to more than 36,000 enrolled active duty, their family members, coalition partners and retirees.

We also provide support to an additional 170,000 members who are eligible to use our pharmacy and other ancillary services throughout the Tampa area. On Nov. 12-16, we have an opportunity to display our passionate and committed team of health care providers to the Air Force Inspection Agency.

AFIA is organized into five directorates, to include Medical Operations. The Medical Operations Directorate conducts Health Services Inspections every three years to evaluate and report on the readiness of active duty and Air Reserve Component medical facilities and units.

The purpose of the Health Services Inspection is to ensure compliance with federal and civilian policies and to provide commanders an assessment of health care quality, availability, and resource management. In simpler terms, Air Force Inspection Agency Medical Operations ensures we are doing our job the right way and delivering the superior healthcare our beneficiaries deserve.

The Health Services Inspection criteria is not something we cram for in the few months before inspectors show up; it is the foundation on which we operate day-to-day. In total, there are 61 elements on which the medical group is evaluated. The inspection team is comprised of nine Air Force level experts and brings a wealth of experience, not only from their own successful careers, but from the countless hours of effort of those that preceded them.

Oftentimes, inspections are associated with the angst of being scrutinized by an outside agency. At the 6th MDG, we see it in the opposite light. Our view is that we have a tremendous opportunity. An opportunity to show off a team that wholly embraces patient safety, quality, process improvement and medical readiness. Additionally, we view it as an opportunity to improve through self-discovery, consultation and cultivating best practices.

Inspection or no inspection, there is not a day that goes by that one of the 750 active duty, civilians or contractors in the 6th Medical Group is not striving to improve your patient experience. We welcome our teammates from the Air Force Inspection Agency and their efforts to help reinforce our culture of excellence.