Medical town hall introduces new patient care concept Published Dec. 7, 2010 By Monica Mendoza 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- It's a pretty simple idea: lower the number of patients assigned to a medical provider and have a back up provider who knows the patient's medical history in case their primary doctor is not available. It's an idea that Col. John Sell, 21st Medical Group commander, is looking forward to implementing on Peterson Air Force Base next summer. Beginning in June, the 21st Medical Group will launch the Air Force Surgeon General's Family Health Initiative program, which aims to lower the number of patients assigned to an Air Force medical provider and assigns a back-up team that knows each patient's medical history. "This will be a much better way of how we deliver health care," Colonel Sell said. Colonel Sell hosted two Medical Group Town Hall meetings Dec. 2 at The Club to talk about the services the medical group provides and the changes on the horizon. In addition to the new initiative, Colonel Sell's executive team is working on ways to streamline the referral process and will investigate ways to assist servicemembers who have children with disabilities. The 21st Medical Group is one of the largest medical flights in Air Force Space Command with a staff that keeps 322 primary care appointments each day. Each provider is assigned 1,500 patients. Air Force Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Charles Green, wants to reduce the number of patients assigned to each Air Force provider. He was also concerned that patients very often see different doctors every time they have an appointment, which can be frustrating to the patient and the doctor. General Green describes the Family Health Initiative as a medical home concept which focuses on the personal relationship between patient and provider. He described the plan last month when he toured Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Lakehurst, N.J. The initiative is designed to create continuity of care for the patient, providing them with a medical team consisting of a provider, nurse and five technicians to partner with the patient, General Green said. This year, the 21st Medical Group saw a 3 percent increase in the number of patients, putting enrollment up to 25,807. Part of the enrollment increase comes from Soldiers and their families stationed at Fort Carson. Fort Carson had an influx of Soldiers relocated to the installation recently. Under the initiative, the target enrollment for the 21st Medical Group is 24,500, Colonel Sell said. He will not force any person enrolled in the 21st Medical Group to leave, he said. Instead, he is working with military medical officials across the region to find the right medical facilities for beneficiaries to use. "We are looking at this closely to ensure we have the right amount of staff for patients that are enrolled for our medical group," Colonel Sell said. Now, there is one provider for every 1,500 patients. Under the team concept there will be two providers for every 2,500, which reduces the ratio to one provider for every 1,250 patients, Colonel Sell said. The lower patient to provider ratio will improve access. More importantly, each patient will have a team that knows them and their medical history and will not have to start over each time, he said. "When a patient comes in and they see the same provider each and every time, they feel good - you go to your doctor and you know them and they know you and you have that relationship and that's what makes a very good opportunity for both," Colonel Sell said. The 21st Medical Group at a glance: Patient care hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clinic is closed until 12:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month for training. To make an appointment, contact the medical facility or talk to a registered nurse, call 457-CARE (2273). Appointments can be made 24-hours a day at www.tricare.mil. Patient no-shows waste 21 days worth of appointments in one year. If you make an appointment, keep it. The main clinic pharmacy is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Pete East pharmacy, at the base exchange, is for handwritten prescriptions and refill call in. The pharmacy is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Family members 18 years and older must sign a medical information disclosure authorization in order for parents to access their medical records. Patient advocates are available in every section of the medical group. For information about advocates or to reach an advocate, call 556-1060. To ensure a safe, quality visit, parents are asked not to bring children to appointments. Children under the age of 9 cannot be left unattended in the waiting area, and no child can accompany a parent into the parent's appointment.