Medical clinic goes ‘under the knife’

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Burton
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  As part of a renovation and expansion project, the 75th Medical Group clinic will be undergoing construction with phase one of the project scheduled for completion in late spring of 2009.

The phase one construction project, which started Oct. 28, will consist of expanding the physical therapy clinic, modernizing of the radiology department, reorganizing office space to more efficiently utilize areas within the clinic, and aesthetically enhancing the clinic's décor by bringing it to a more modern standard.

"This building was constructed in the mid 70s and we have continued to evolve how we provide services to our patients since then," said Col. Matthew Chini, 75th MDG commander. "In order for us to continue improving our services, we need to enhance space where patient care is delivered."

While there are several projects combined in the $1 million first phase of construction, the largest project - both in dollar amount and complexity - will be the expansion of the physical therapy clinic, which is slated to start in January.

Colonel Chini said that physical therapy is a growing service and in order to meet the needs of the patients, the clinic has hired a new physical therapist and two new technicians.

"They will just be too cramped where they are," Colonel Chini said. "So we will be increasing the physical therapy section by almost 60 percent."

Lt. Col. Christopher Dun, 75th Medical Support Squadron commander, added that the physical therapy expansion is one aspect of the phase one construction that will directly address patient care needs. By increasing the staff and size of the physical therapy section, the clinic will be able to offer better service to our beneficiaries.

Another improvement in patient care will be achieved with a revamp of the radiology department.

"We are going to renovate some space in radiology to accommodate a new digital radiology system that we have," said Colonel Dun. "It is an enhanced digital capability which will allow us to have our radiographs reviewed by providers at Wright Paterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and will save us funding from having to hire local civilian radiologist to read our x-rays."

Colonel Dun added that construction will also be taking place in outlying buildings where mental health and family advocacy are located to better address the infrastructure and enable a consolidation of reception and some sharing of technicians for more efficient patient care.

The aesthetic upgrades for the medical clinic have already started with the removal of the wall coverings and will also include switching the walls to drywall and paint, replacing old carpet, and adding new furniture.

In order to better serve the 14,000 civilian employees at Hill, a remodeling of the Occupational Medicine Clinic, also known as "the dispensary," will take place to upgrade several rooms, the waiting area and also improve patient privacy.

The medical group leadership feels that the entire construction project was made possible due to the teamwork between Air Force Materiel Command and base organizations.

"We conceptually had the plan, and the money became available through good fiscal management by the medical group, but we couldn't have gotten where we got without the 75th Civil Engineer Group," said Colonel Dun.

With all of the construction scheduled to take place, the medical group staff wants to stress to their patients they have done everything possible to minimize disturbance.

"Patient safety is the number one priority during this project," said Colonel Chini. "And we are going to do everything we can to minimize disruption to patient care."

Maj. Mark Devoe, 75th MDSS, added that the clinic will be working with the contractors to try to have work in direct patient care areas accomplished after hours, on weekends and holidays in order to keep patient care as smooth as possible.

Colonel Chini said during the construction there might be some inconveniences but patient care will not change.

"Please bear with us and understand that this is a transition phase and know that we will ensure the highest quality care and patient safety during this time," he said.

While there may be some discomfort in the short term, base leadership is optimistic about the future of the clinic.

"There are great things ahead for our patients as we transform our clinic into a state-of-the-art medical facility," said Col. Linda Medler, 75th Air Base Wing commander. "But in the meantime, please be understanding of our dust."