february 2010 examiner

THE EXAMINER

Volume 18, No. 2 February 2010C

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Did you know?...

Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital

“Serving with Pride and Professionalism”

You have the right toexpress your concerns

about patient safety and qual-ity of care.

There are several avenuesopen to you:

* Through the ICE web-site.

* Through the NavalHospital Customer CommentCards.

* The Hospital’s CustomerRelations Officer at 760-830-2475, or any of the CustomerRelations representatives inthe hospital’s clinics.

Or Directly to the JointCommission via:

E-mail [email protected]

Fax:Office of Quality Monitoring630-792-5636

Mail:Office of Quality MonitoringThe Joint CommissionOak Renaissance BoulevardOakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhtp/pages/default.aspx

An Award Winning Publication

Combat Stress Continuum Held at Combat CenterBy Dan Barber, Public Affairs OfficerRobert E. Bush Naval HospitalTwentynine Palms

In an effort to bring together active duty military, family mem-bers and health care providers for the purpose of education andto discuss issues relating to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Combat OperationalStress an event was conducted for the first time at the Marine

Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) at Twentynine Palms,Calif.

A panel consisting of Lieutenant Commander Wayne Boucher, PhDMSC; Peter Morris, Family Advocacy Program; Shenoa Robinson,TriWest Field Representative, and Wednesday Pritt, TriwestBeneficiary Representative were available to discuss issues and toanswer questions from audience members.

Boucher briefed the military leaders, health care providers and fami-ly members present on how to identify symptoms of operational andcombat stress as well as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD).Boucher stated that those in the military seem to have a built-in sup-port group to help them better deal with combat and operationalstresses because they are a part of a group who share in similar expe-riences. Boucher, who works in the hospital’s Mental HealthDepartment as a psychologist said that individuals who experience atraumatic experience alone may have a harder time dealing withPTSD because they don’t have that built in support group.

Other members of the panel discussed counseling services availableat the offices of the Family Advocacy Program, and through theTriWest network of mental health providers.

In addition, several poster displays were set up for attendees to viewand ask questions of subject matter experts at each display.

The Marines, Sailors and families at this Marine Corps Base locatedin the Mojave Desert have been through numerous deployments toIraq for the past several years and still face further deployments intheir immediate future.

With this being the case, the Deployment Health Care Center and theNaval Hospital will continue to partner with the Marine CorpsCommunity Services counselors to offer this event on a semi-annualbasis.

It doesn’t take an expert to tell that numerous deployments can havean effect on military members not to mention the effect those deploy-ments have on the families left back home.

According to Lieutenant Suzanne Decker, a staff Medical ServiceCorps officer and facilitator for the event for the Deployment HealthCare Center, “It is important to make our Marines, Sailors, familymembers and health care providers aware of what resources and serv-ices are available across the installation. DHCC and the NavalHospital plan to make this event occur twice a year so that we canmake contact with all units either pre or post deployment.”

Stanley Hall, left, a Family and Marriage Therapist with theDeployment Health Care Clinic, answers questions at a display setup for the recent Combat Stress Continuum.

By Dan Barber, Public Affairs OfficerRobert E. Bush Naval HospitalTwentynine Palms

Anytime you have an immediate life-threatening medical problemyou should call 911.

Our medical staff here at the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital wouldrather have the patients err on the side of caution with the realizationthat when they arrive at our Emergency Medicine Department the pro-fessional staff will assess the patient with a process called Triage.

If the medical condition warrants it, immediate care will be given.

How do you use your Medical Benefit?

Clinic Appointment Stats...

Patient’s seen in December -- 9,886Appointment No Shows in December -- 958

If you need an appointment call -- 760-830-2752To cancel an appointment call -- 760-830-2369

Continued on page 7

By Martha Hunt, MA CAMFRobert E. Bush Naval Hospital

Now that tobacco use inany form is no longerallowed on any medical

property related to NavalHospital Twentynine Palms (i.e.the main hospital, AdultMedical Care Clinic and theBranch Clinics at China Lakeand Bridgeport), how many peo-ple in the Navy and MarineCorps actually use tobacco? Theanswer is -- more than youthink!

The 2008 Survey of HealthRelated Behaviors amongActive Duty Military Personnelwas recently published showingthat 30 percent of all active dutypersonnel smoke and 14 percentuse smokeless tobacco. Active

duty Navy personnel smoke at arate of 31 percent and 10 per-cent report smokeless tobaccouse. Regarding the Marines, 37percent report that they smokeand 22 percent report smokelesstobacco use.

How many Navy Active Dutystaff at NHTP, China Lake andBridgeport use tobacco? At thehospital 20 percent smoke and11 percent dip. At China Lake,26 percent of active duty smokeand 13 percent dip. Finally forBridgeport, 31 percent of activeduty smoke and none report thatthey dip. Regarding federalemployees, 25 percent at thehospital smoke, 33 percentsmoke at China Lake and nofederal employees report the useof smokeless tobacco at anysite.

How does that compare to the

US civilian population? TheCenters for Disease Control andPrevention estimate that 46 mil-lion people or 20.6 percent ofall adults (aged 18 years andolder) in the United States cur-rently smoke cigarettes and 3.3percent of adults (aged 18 yearsand older) use smokeless tobac-co.

This means that the Navy andMarine Corps use tobacco farabove the rate seen in the UScivilian population. In fact, theDoD spends approximately $1.6billion dollars a year for activeduty on tobacco related healthproblems that are caused ormade worse by tobacco use.Tobacco use is a leading indica-tor of combat readiness in that iteffects wound infection andhealing, dehydration, responseto heat stress, night vision, Post

Traumatic Stress Disorder, pro-motes obesity and a wealth ofother health problems that canimpact readiness. Overall, theDoD loses money 8:1 on tobac-co sales. For every dollar oftobacco sales on base, the healthcare side of the DoD loses $8 inhealth care costs.

Not only does tobacco used byActive Duty impact health andreadiness, but the use of tobaccoby Federal Employees alsoimpacts the bottom line in so faras escalating health and lifeinsurance rates, use of sick daysand lost productivity due totobacco breaks. Tobacco userson average use double the num-ber of sick days per year andcost employers over $5,200 peryear in wages lost on tobaccobreaks. Tobacco use in theworkplace is also a major cause

of friction among staff due tothe issue of time spent on tobac-co breaks.

The Surgeon General of theNavy has tasked Navy Medicineto set the example and lead theway to a healthier Navy andMarine Corps family.

So to meet this challenge,tobacco use is no longerallowed on Navy medicineproperty. To access tobacco ces-sation services, talk to your pri-mary care provider or callHealth Promotions and Wellnessat (760) 830-2814 for moreinformation. There is no formaltobacco cessation class as allcounseling is now done one onone. Start the New Year on atobacco free note and call now!Then we will all be on the wayto a healthier Navy and MarineCorps family!

2 -- The Examiner -- February 2010

Published by Hi-Desert Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, the UnitedStates Marine Corps, United States Navy or Naval Hospital, Twentynine Palms under exclusive written contract withthe Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command. The appearance of advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the United States MarineCorps, the United States Navy or Hi-Desert Publishing of the products or services advertised. Everything advertisedin this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the pur-chaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, thepublisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is preparedby the Public Affairs Office, Naval Hospital, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Commanding OfficerCaptain Don Cenon B. Albia, MSC, USN

Executive OfficerCaptain Michael Moeller, MC, USN

Command Master ChiefHMCM (FMF) Kevin Hughes, USN

Public Affairs Officer/EditorDan Barber

Public Affairs AssistantSK1 Kimberly Blain-Sweet

Command OmbudsmanValatina Ruth

Care Line 830-2716Cell Phone (760) 910-2050

The Examiner welcomes your comments and suggestions concerning the publication. Deadline for submission ofarticles is the 15th of each month for the following month’s edition. Any format is welcome, however, the preferredmethod of submission is by e-mail or by computer disk.

How to reach us...Commanding Officer Naval HospitalPublic Affairs OfficeBox 788250 MAGTFTCTwentynine Palms, CA 92278-8250Com: (760) 830-2362DSN: 230-2362FAX: (760) 830-2385E-mail: [email protected] Publishing Company56445 Twentynine Palms HighwayYucca Valley, CA 92284Com: (760) 365-3315FAX: (760) 365-8686

Why go tobacco free?-Maybe because it is costly to your health and budget

By Shari LopatinTriWest Healthcare Alliance

While last month was agreat time to plan foryour health in 2010,

you’ll never find a wrong timeto get vital screening tests.Whether you’re a man or awoman, age 25 or 65, make sureto talk with your doctor aboutthe screening tests listed below.These services are available toyou and your eligible familymembers at no cost. You'll findno authorizations, cost-shares,copayments or deductibles foreligible TRICARE beneficiaries.These tests could save your life.

For women* Breast cancer: TRICARE

covers one mammogram every

12 months for women older than39. If a woman is consideredhigh-risk for breast cancer, shecan begin receiving mammo-grams at 35 years old.

* Cervical cancer: You cantest for cervical cancer by get-ting regular Pap smear tests.TRICARE covers both pelvicexams and Pap tests togetherwhen necessary, or every yearbeginning at age 18. Once awoman has three consecutivenormal Pap tests, TRICAREwill cover screenings once everythree years unless a doctor rec-ommends otherwise.

For men* Prostate Cancer: TRICARE

covers prostate screenings testsfor men who are:

-- older than 50

-- older than 40 and had avasectomy

-- ages 40-49 with a familyhistory of prostate cancer.

For everyone* Colon Cancer: Several

screening options are available,such as the fecal occult bloodtest, sigmoidoscopy andcolonoscopy.

People who have a history ofcolon cancer in their family

should talk with their doctorabout when and how often tohave screening tests.

* Cholesterol: Know yournumbers! It could affect yourheart. TRICARE covers a cho-lesterol test once every fiveyears, starting at 18 years old,unless it’s medically necessaryfor more frequent screenings.

Remember that when youobtain these services from aTRICARE-authorized provider,

you are not responsible for anyportion of the cost, even if youhave not met your deductible.

For additional information,visit the prevention page atwww.TriWest.com/prevention.

For your convenience and tobe eco-friendly, Go Green withpaperless Explanation ofBenefits (EOBs). Visitwww.TriWest.com/gogreen tolearn how.

The Examiner -- February 2010 -- 3

Loan Lady2X3

Screenings to save your life

By Tyler PattersonTriWest Healthcare Alliance

Just enrolled into TRICAREPrime and want to knowyour options for doctors?

Moved to a new location andneed to find a doctor? Not sureif the nearest military clinic isaccepting new patients?

It used to take a phone call orcar trip to answer these ques-tions. Now you can save the tripand the call, and answer all thesequestions online using TriWest’sPrime Enrollment Eligibility toolat www.triwest.com/eligibility.All you need is your address andan Internet connection. Withinseconds, you'll have a color-coded map of the options inyour area.

Not only will the PrimeEnrollment Eligibility tool showyour options, but it will walkyou through your next steps. Forexample, if the nearest availableclinic is more than a 30-minutedrive, it will remind you to com-plete the Access to Care Waiveron your Prime application. If it’sdetermined you’re not eligiblefor TRICARE Prime, the PrimeEnrollment Eligibility tool willinform you of other TRICAREplan options and direct you howto complete enrollment.

If the tool determines you areeligible for Prime and suggestsyou enroll at a particular clinic,it will present that clinic's con-

tact information. Don’t forgetyou can use the Beneficiary WebEnrollment (BWE) site to enrollin TRICARE Prime, make yourinitial payment and select a pri-mary care manager (someexceptions apply). If you’realready enrolled in TRICAREPrime, you can use BWE tomanage your family members’enrollment and order new IDcards. Learn more about BWE atwww.triwest.com/bwe.

While you’re online, you canalso choose to “Go Green” andreceive paperless Explanation ofBenefits statements at www.tri-west.com/gogreen.

Atlas2X3

Web Tool Makes Finding New Doc Easy


Super Stars...

CS3 Kyle Quatmann,Combined Food Operations,receives a Navy and MarineCorps Achievement Medal.

Lt. Todd Hlavac, Pediatrics,receives a Navy and MarineCorps Commendation Medal.

HM3 Robert Hartwell, PhysicalTherapy, receives his firstGood Conduct Award.

HM2 Sonny Lemerande,Physical Therapy, receives hissecond Good Conduct Award.

HM3 Courtney Haggard,Education and Training,receives her first GoodConduct Award.

HM3 Sergio Romero,Education and Training,receives his first Good ConductAward.

Steven Crowder, PhysicalTherapy, receives a NavyMeritorious Civilian ServiceAward.

HM2 Justin Jenkins, MainOperating Room, receives hissecond Good Conduct Award.

HM3 Marcelo Pereira, MainOperating Room, receives aNavy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medal and hissecond Good Conduct Award.

LS2 Robert Ellis, MaterialsManagement Dept., receiveshis sixth Good Conduct Award.

Kimberly Warfield, MaterialsManagement Dept., receives aLetter of Commendation.

Ann Denslow, MaterialsManagement Dept., receives aNavy Meritorious CivilianService Award and a Letter ofCommendation.

HM3 Steven Eleter, EmergencyMedicine Dept., receives hisfirst Good Conduct Award.

HN Eustacia Joseph, FamilyMedicine Clinic, receives herfirst Good Conduct Award.

FC2 Sarah Sweet, SecurityDept., receives her third GoodConduct Award and a Letter ofAppreciation.


HM2 Sarilyn Escobar, MainOperating Room receives Navyand Marine Corps AchievementMedal and a Letter ofAppreciation.

CS3 Ryan Davila, CombinedFood Operations, receives aLetter of Appreciation.

Ensign April Pratt, MedicalReadiness Clinic, receives aLetter of Appreciation.

HM1 Daniel Magee, PreventiveMedicine, receives a Letter ofAppreciation and a Flag Letterof Commendation.

HM2 Ray Martinez, PublicHealth, receives a Letter ofAppreciation.

HM2 Jerry Rice, PublicHealth, receives a Letter ofAppreciation.

HM2 Erica Sommerville,Patient Administration,receives a Letter ofAppreciation.

HM3 Meghan Moore,Maternal Infant Nursing Dept.,receives a Letter ofAppreciation.

Lt. Leah Granson, Department Head, Education and Training, takesthe oath at her recent promotion ceremony.

Henrique Soares, PublicHealth, receives a 10-yearFederal Length of ServiceAward.

Elsie Clark, Time Keeper in theFiscal Department, receives a15-year Federal Length ofService Award.

Continued on page 8

DALLAS...(November 24,2009) Singer-songwriter JohnOndrasik’s annual gift to mili-tary Families is playing it forlaughs this year as ‘CD For theTroops III’ offers a free compi-lation of comedy routines to sol-diers, airmen, sailors, Marinesand their families.

“I’m proud to present the thirdedition of the CD for the Troopsproject ‘Stand Up For Troops,’”said Ondrasik. “This year we’vegone for laughs with bits fromworld class comics; Chris Rock,Ray Romano, Jeff Foxworthy,Dana Carvey, Adam Sandler,Dennis Miller and more!”

As part of an ongoing partner-ship between the Grammy-nom-inated artist, who goes by thestage name Five for Fighting,TriWest Healthcare Alliance,Aware Records and the Armyand Air Force ExchangeService, all active duty militarymembers and veterans withvalid military identification canlog on to AAFES.com anddownload the comedy routinesas well as an Ondrasik songfrom the award winning docu-mentary “Brothers at War.”

“This compilation is a tributeto America’s military families tothank them for their service,”said TriWest President and CEODavid J. McIntyre, Jr. “We areproud to continue our partner-ship on this project and areexceptionally grateful for John,the comedians and AAFES whoare driven to thank our troops inmemorable ways.”

The complete track list of freesongs available athttp://music.aafes.com/ as partof ‘CD For the Troops III’ are asfollows:

* Chris Rock - “The Big Pieceof Chicken”

* Dennis Miller - “The Weekin Review”

* Adam Sandler - “LunchLady Land”

* Ray Romano - “BachelorParty/Juice/Potato Chips”

* Jeff Foxworthy - “Have YourLoved Ones Spayed orNeutered”

* Dana Carvey - “Parenting” * Matt Iseman - “Dungeons

and Dragons/Like a GoodNeighbor”

* Kevin Nealon - “Shut thatParty Down”

* Kevin James - “GreetingCards”

* John Ondrasik - “Brothers in

Arms”“I’d like to thank AAFES,

TriWest Healthcare Alliance andSony Manufacturing for beinggreat partners in this endeavor,”said Ondrasik. “I’ve also includ-ed my song “Brothers in Arms”from the great documentary“Brothers at War.” As alwaysthe ‘CD for the Troops’ is a freedownload for military membersat AAFES.com with 200,000hard CDs shipped to troopsoverseas. Thanks to all thecomedians who donated theirtalents to this compilation. “Ourtroops and their families areboth the steel and the heart ofour nation. The ‘CD for theTroops’ is a continuing thankyou to those who protect our

freedoms and secure the futureof our children and grandchil-dren.”

In addition to the free down-loads, 200,000 CDs for TheTroops will be arriving at mili-tary bases, Armed ServicesYMCAs, USO Centers, FisherHouses and other locationsthroughout the nation and over-seas.

“This is the third time we’vepartnered with Mr. Ondrasik toprovide a secure, global plat-form to share the tracks he hasworked to freely provide to themilitary community,” saidAAFES’ Chief of Staff Col.Virgil Williams. “The timing ofthis latest offering is really ter-rific as service members logging

on to the Exchange Online Storeto purchase a present for a lovedone will now be pleasantly sur-prised to find a gift earmarkedjust for them.”

The Army and Air ForceExchange Service (AAFES) is ajoint command of the U.S.Army and U.S. Air Force, and isdirected by a Board of Directorswho is responsible to theSecretaries of the Army and theAir Force through the ServiceChiefs of Staff. AAFES has thedual mission of providingauthorized patrons with articlesof merchandise and services andof generating non-appropriatedfund earnings as a supplementalsource of funding for militaryMorale, Welfare and Recreation

(MWR) programs. To find outmore about AAFES’ history andmission or to view recent pressreleases please visit our Website athttp://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp.

TriWest Healthcare Alliancepartners with the Department ofDefense to do “Whatever ItTakes” to support the healthcareneeds of 2.7 million members ofAmerica’s military family. APhoenix-based corporation,TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality healthcare in the 21-state TRICAREWest Region. Visit triwest.comfor more information.


All Star Cast of Comedians ‘Stand Up for the Troops’ with Free Downloads

PHOENIX -- TriWest Healthcare Alliance is offering a new lunghealth service to West Region TRICARE beneficiaries eligible for itsDisease Management programs.Beneficiaries suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,or COPD, can receive extra help through TriWest Healthcare Alliance,which manages the TRICARE military healthcare entitlement onbehalf of the Department of Defense (DoD) for 21 western states.COPD is a group of lung diseases that include emphysema, chronicbronchitis and in some cases, asthma.Before this addition, TriWest’s Disease Management departmentoffered support to beneficiaries with diabetes, asthma and heart fail-ure. The COPD program, launched by TriWest in September, is a no-cost entitlement for those who are eligible. Eligibility is determinedby TRICARE and is based on claims history. Once a beneficiary is

identified as eligible to participate in the program, the DoD refers thebeneficiary to TriWest. A Disease Management ‘health coach’ thencontacts the beneficiary and invites them to participate in the pro-gram.The COPD Disease Management Program has a number of servicesto help beneficiaries manage their chronic lung diseases. They willhave a personal Disease Management health coach who works withthe beneficiary and the primary care manager to tailor an action plan.The health coach will then work with the beneficiary until the plan’sgoals are met. The beneficiary can also access smoking cessation,exercise and nutrition help from their TriWest health coach.Beneficiaries can find additional resources at www.triwest.com/copd,www.tricare.mil and at www.ucanquit2.org, an online smoking cessa-tion resource developed by the DoD for U.S. service members.

TriWest Offers New Service to Promote Lung HealthExpanding Condition Management Programs for Chronic Lung Diseases

Trying to figure out which ticket to choose in the Pharmacy?

Active Duty Members in Uniform... is as it states, if you are in uniform and visitingthe Pharmacy for your own meds... you should chose this option.

Other Prescriptions... this option is for eligible patients or active duty not in uniform whoare visiting the hospital Pharmacy to pickup a prescription that was written by a civilian ormilitary provider and presented as a hard copy. Also, patients who have seen a militaryprovider and are picking up medications entered into the hospital’s computer by that provider,should choose this option.

Pharmacy Refill or Next Day Prescription Request... this option is for patientswho have requested a refill by the Pharmacy refill line (to pickup after 8 a.m.) or by patientswho have dropped a request in the request box located on the wall at the Pharmacy (to pickupthe next day after 1200 noon). Or for those who checked into the Pharmacy earlier in the day.

Every year, more than 1million Americans haveheart attacks; 13 mil-lion Americans have

coronary heart disease, andabout half a million people diefrom it each year.

Risk factors for heart diseaseare typically labeled “uncontrol-lable” or “controllable.” Themain uncontrollable risk factorsare age, gender, and a familyhistory of heart disease, espe-cially at an early age. The riskof heart disease rises as peopleage, and men tend to develop itearlier. Men ages 45 and olderare at increased risk of heart dis-ease, while women 55 and olderare at increased risk.

What is heart and cardiovascu-lar disease? Heart disease refersonly to diseases of the heart andthe blood vessel system withinthe heart. Cardiovascular diseaserefers to diseases of the heartand diseases of the blood vesselsystem within the entire body.

What are the different types ofheart & cardiovascular disease?Atherosclerosis is a type ofthickening and hardening of thearteries. As we age, some hard-

ening of the arteries can occurnaturally. Coronary heart dis-ease, the most common form ofheart disease, affects the bloodvessels (or coronary arteries) ofthe heart. It causes angina (chestpain) and heart attacks. Anginais pain or discomfort in thechest that happens when some

part of the heart does notreceive enough blood. It feelslike a pressing or squeezingpain, often in the chest under thebreastbone, but sometimes in theshoulders, arms, neck, jaw, orback.

Lack of blood flow to thebrain from a blood clot, orbleeding in the brain from a bro-ken blood vessel, causes astroke. Without a good bloodsupply, brain cells cannot getenough oxygen and begin to die.You can also have what aresometimes called “ministrokes,” or transient ischemicattacks (TIA’s), where no dam-age is done to the brain. But

even though they do no damage,TIA’s are serious and can putyou at higher risk of having afull stroke.

High blood pressure (or hyper-tension) is another form of car-diovascular disease where thereis too much pressure in yourblood vessels. A blood pressure

reading measures the force ofblood pumped from the heartagainst the walls of your bloodvessels. It is recorded as twonumbers: a top number of sys-tolic pressure, or the pressure ofblood in the vessels as the heartbeats; and a bottom number ofdiastolic pressure, or the pres-sure of the blood between heartbeats (when the heart rests).Although the average bloodpressure reading for adults is120/80, a slightly higher orlower reading (for either num-ber) may not be a problem. Highblood pressure is diagnosedwhen the reading consistentlyexceeds 140/90. It is often

called a “silent” killer because itusually has no signs or symp-toms.

There are some factors thatyou can’t control such as gettingolder, family health history, andrace. But you can do somethingabout the three biggest risk fac-tors for heart and cardiovasculardisease -- Smoking, High bloodpressure, and High blood cho-lesterol.

You can reduce your risk forheart and cardiovascular diseaseby following these steps. Quitsmoking - talk with your healthcare provider or HealthPromotions if you need helpquitting. Cut back on foods highin saturated fat and cholesterol.Check blood pressure, choles-terol, and blood sugar levels andkeep them under control.Exercise at least 30 minutes aday on most (if not all) days ofthe week. Lose weight if you are

overweight and keep at ahealthy weight.

The best way to combat heartdisease is not just to know therisk factors but to “own” therisk factors that apply to youand address the ones that arecontrollable. This means know-ing what your risk factors areand doing something to changethat risk. There are resourcesavailable to help you developand maintain a healthy heart.For tobacco cessation contacthealth promotions at 830-2814or talk to your primary careprovider for more information.For Nutrition information con-tact the registered dietitian at830-2274. For help controllingyour diabetes better, contact theDiabetes education programcontact the family practice clinicat 830-2093 and for Exerciseprograms contact the west gymat 830-6723.


Your Medical Benefit...Continued from page 1

However, if the medical staff determines that your condition is notlife-threatening you or your loved one may have to wait several hoursbefore treatment is rendered, while patients with unstable illnesses orinjury are taken care of first.

The staff of the Emergency Medicine Department understand theconcern parents have for their sick children, or loved ones and tryvery hard to provide the best possible care to everyone.

The ER waiting area of any hospital is not a very comfortable placefor someone with a cold or flu to be waiting for care, and it can provehazardous for someone with a reduced immune system.

Emergency Medicine Departments should never be viewed as a“Walk in Clinic.” The hospital’s clinics are run on an appointmentbasis, and those clinic providers usually see patients at the scheduledappointment time.

Routine or Acute appointments can be made within a reasonabletime at the hospital’s clinics... in many cases a same day appointmentcan be scheduled.

One of the anomalies that can affect appointment availability andcan cause inefficiencies in the hospital’s clinics is when patients makeappointments and then fail to show up for or cancel those appoint-ments. This action not only causes a waste of time and money for thehospital, but it can cause a great inconvenience to beneficiaries whoare not able to make a timely appointment. Last month the hospitalscheduled 858 appointments that patients failed to show up for or callto cancel.

These 858 appointment slots were productively used by hospitalstaff however it potentially kept 858 people from being able to see ahospital provider in a timely manner.

If you wake up one morning feeling ill, you can call 760- 830-2752to obtain a same day appointment. A scheduled appointment mini-mizes waiting time that would typically be experienced with an emer-gency room visit, as discussed earlier.

If unable to keep an appointment, please give the hospital as muchnotice as possible by calling 760-830-2752 or 760-830-2369.

This is in consideration of the hospital staff that has scheduled theirtime around your expected visit. Most importantly, it is out of consid-eration for others.

February Is National Heart Health Month

Here Are Some Helpful Tips To Live A Heart Healthier Life!By Martha Hunt, MAHealth Promotion and WellnessRobert E. Bush Naval Hospital

Naval Hospital is now providing H1N1 Vaccine to all beneficiaries and DoD Civilians who request thevaccine. Active duty will receive their vaccine through their BAS/RAS. For questions, please call CDRCarol Grush at 830-2626 or the Preventive Medicine Techs at 830-2002.

H1N1 Vaccine Still Available at the Hospital...

Have you ever considered that you, as apatient, have a major impact on the typeand quality of care you receive at yourNaval Hospital?

Every decision made by the leadership of NavyMedicine is made with you the patient in mind.How can the best possible care be delivered to youwith assets available... facilities, money and staff.

Not long ago the Department of Defense (DoD)contracted with MAXIMUS to provide an inde-pendent, impartial evaluation of care provided toour beneficiaries. You may have received a letterin the mail following a recent visit to one of thehospital’s clinics. If you took the time to open thatletter and follow the directions to participate in thesurvey, then you have input into future decisionsNavy leadership will make in determining the typeand quality of care you will receive at your NavyHospital.

The purpose of this survey is to provide an evalu-ation of the health care you receive. This informa-tion will provide tools for leadership to makeinformed decisions about the type of care that willbe made available to you; it will provide insightfor targeting quality improvements; it will allowfor external comparisons of other health care serv-ices in the region; and it will promote medical carethat is consistent with clinical guidelines.

Other ways for you to participate in the care youreceive at the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital is tolet one of the hospital’s customer service repsknow your feelings...

* Did you feel that your health care was lackingin some way?

* Were you totally happy with the services youreceived?

Either way, it is important for the hospital toknow how they are taking care of you.

You Have a Major Impact on Care Offered at Hospital

...There are some factors that you can’t control such asgetting older, family health history, and race. But you cando something about the three biggest risk factors for heartand cardiovascular disease -- Smoking, High blood pres-sure, and High blood cholesterol....


MBTA2X8

Super Stars...Continued from page 5

Karen Benavente, CentralAppointments, receives a Letterof Appreciation.

HMC Robert Albach, MaterialManagement, receives a Navyand Marine CorpsAchievement Medal.

HM3 Phillip Miller, Educationand Training receives a Navyand Marine CorpsAchievement Medal.

HN Jared Cummings,Orthopedic and GeneralSurgery Dept., receives a FlagLetter of Commendation.

HM3 Devin Fleming, MainOperating Room, receives aLetter of Appreciation.

HM3 Anthony Clark, AdultMedical Care Clinic, receives aLetter of Appreciation.

HM3 Elston Stewart,Pediatrics receives a FlagLetter of Commendation fromCommander, United StatesNaval Forces CentralCommand.

HM3 David Polse, BranchClinic China Lake, receives aFlag Letter of Commendation.

Eric Cruse, Clerk in CentralAppointments, receives a 30-year Federal Length of ServiceAward.

Lt. Commander Sharon Yokley, Organizational PerformanceImprovement Coordinator, retires after 20 years of honorable serv-ice

february 2010 examiner

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