Medical staff integrates aircrew mindset

Published April 6, 2016
By Airman Jenna K. Caldwell
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Primary care provider medical teams at the 22nd Medical Group are taking cues from aircrew playbooks.

The 22nd MDG recently partnered with a KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew during a group training day to develop more patient checklists and regular team huddles. The KC-135 crew briefed the 22nd MDG on pre-flight preparation procedures and other actions that contribute to the success of the flying mission.

As part of a training and program initiative, the 22nd MDG has been using a similar system and integrating this mindset into regular operations to improve the medical mission here.

"The appointment will be more efficient and a more complete appointment because of all the homework that has gone into it beforehand," said Hartman.

When KC-135 aircrews are in the midst of a mission and a member spots a safety concern, they can call 'knock-it-off,' and that action will end. Any Airman, regardless of rank, can speak up without fear of reprimand and the rest of the crew will listen.

"Communication is the most important factor when it comes to working well together and fostering an environment of strong crew resource management," said Capt. Tad Rowinski, 344th Air Refueling Squadron pilot. "The key word in CRM is "crew." Crew resource management relies on the input and knowledge of all crew members, not just the ranking officer or the aircraft commander."

The new open lanes of communication have also provided the medical staff the opportunity to openly provide ideas and insight to leadership.

"We want to make sure that my young medical technicians feel the same empowerment to see something and say something," said Hartman. "We have already seen some of that with junior enlisted who have come up with ideas on how to check in patients or help the doctor out with documentation of notes."

According to Hartman, the intent of the new mindset is to increase communication, create a safer environment for patients, decrease medical mistakes and make the overall mission operation run more smoothly.