(Center) Maj. Bryan Walrath, commander of U.S. Army Health Clinic Livorno, and Col. Steven Cade, U.S. Army Garrison Livorno commander, sign the Army Medicine Healthcare Covenant May 5. The covenant focuses on commitment to delivering improves quality...
CAMP DARBY, Italy- U.S. Army Garrison Livorno Commander Col. Steven Cade and Command Sgt. Maj. Felix Rodriguez joined Maj. Bryan Walrath, commander of U.S. Army Health Clinic Livorno in signing the Army Medicine Healthcare Covenant May 5.
According to Walrath, this initiative, driven by the Army's Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, further expands the medical care component of the Army Family Covenant, specifically the commitment to Warriors and their Families and the Access to Care campaign.
"The covenant mentions several commitments such as providing the highest quality care, a healing environment, maximizing physical and behavioral health promotion, and improving access and continuity of care; and while the word covenant has several meanings, I like to think it as our steadfast promise to the community," said Walrath.
He added: "We typically surpass the Military Health System minimum ATC standards (ranging from 24 hours for acute care to 28 days for wellness or specialty care) and we have the highest rates (measured on how often a patient visits their assigned primary care manager) in the entire European Region. Quality care is job one for us; we devote most of our time and energy brainstorming better ways to provide quality."
The major noted that his unit trains on customer service, improved patient flow, efficiency and other ways to make that patient encounter the best experience possible and that each staff member is empowered with taking care of the patient's needs and concerns.
Along with taking physical care of patients, the Livorno health clinic has recently undergone several facility improvements geared towards creating a better healing environment.
"We have a very challenging on-going electrical upgrade project to bring the entire clinic up to current code and we also have several projects in design/early execution using principles of Evidence Based Design to promote healing, patient safety, and overall improved aesthetics," explained Walrath.
The covenant poster is on display in the main waiting area. U.S. Army Military Treatment Facilities around the world will be signing similar covenants between their MTF commander and the senior mission or local garrison commander this summer.
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