FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- This week marked the beginning of the civilian employee furlough period, during which some organizations on the installation will suffer a 20 percent deficit in workforce capacity.
In addition to civilian employees feeling the sting of a 20 percent reduction in pay, residents of Fort Campbell and patrons of some establishments will see adjustments to services during the 11-week period.
Among the major institutions to be impacted by the furloughs is Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. On July 3, an official statement was released from BACH announcing the limitation of select services during the furlough period.
"I want to assure our patients that we will maintain the highest quality of patient care and patient safety, and that these areas will not be compromised or diminished as we work through the adjustments to our schedules that are coming about as a result of the furloughs," said Col. Paul R. Cordts, commander of BACH. "We will continue to offer regular services throughout the week, although our services will be limited on Fridays."
Through the end of September, this well generally mean longer wait times for appointments.
"Most of the effect will be on our ancillary services -- laboratory, radiology, pharmacy," said Cordts.
The adjustments were unavoidable, given the nearly 1,400 civilian employees that help keep the medical facility running. Of those employees, only 200 were able to obtain furlough exemptions -- employees of four critical programs: primary care services, behavioral health (including embedded behavioral health teams), Wounded Warrior care and emergency services.
"I received a number of requests for reconsideration," explained Cordts. "I considered each of these individually and very carefully. Ultimately, I had to make decisions about who would and would not be exempt. The four areas mentioned are where we have focused our exemptions as we work through this period."
For Families that receive medical care from BACH and its associated facilities, there are some preemptive steps which can be taken to minimize inconvenience.
"Although we expect that prescription pick-up wait times may be longer during this furlough period, patients can minimize their wait by using the Town Center Pharmacy's drop-off service when possible," suggests Capt. Jessica Hull, BACH chief of pharmacy. "Patients can also save time by calling in refill requests and picking up their medication at least two business days later."
"For patients assigned to our medical homes, I would recommend they use secure email messaging or telephone consults if they have medical concerns or for things that don't require an appointment," suggested Cordts. "They're still welcome to call in for same-day appointments, if they need to see one of the providers on their care teams. Through this time of sequestration, we will continue to provide high-quality health care."
Cordts says that, in spite of the changes taking place, patients have met will with the news.
"The majority of our patients understand we're facing challenges with sequestration and the furloughs," he said. "They understand we're having to reduce our civilian staff and that this will have an effect on the services we provide at the hospital. We appreciate their understanding and we ask for their continued patience as we work through this time of furloughs."
He exhibits the same level of confidence in his civilian work force.
"I appreciate the dedication and commitment of the staff at BACH as we work our way through," he said. "I'm convinced our civilian employees will step up to the challenge."
BACH Services
Blanchfield Army Community Hospital will offer limited services during the furlough period, each Friday until Sept. 27.
OPEN
Patient-centered medical homes (primary care):
• Air Assault Medical Home
• Gold Medical Home
• Screaming Eagle Medical Home
•Young Eagle Medical Home
Specialty services:
• BACH physical therapy
• Dermatology
• Laboratory
• Town Center Pharmacy
Warrior Care Clinic
Behavioral health:
• Behavioral health high-interest program
• Embedded behavioral health clinics
LIMITED SERVICES AVAILABLE
Soldier health services:
• Acute walk-in, sick call (6:30 until 8 a.m.)
• Limited appointments available
• Physical therapy appointments seen at BACH
• LaPointe Health Clinic -- Optometry open for sick call, limited services Aug. 16 and 30 during Division DONSA
• Nightstalker Soldier Health Clinic -- closed during DONSAs
• Troop Medical Clinic 5 -- closed during DONSAs
• Byrd Soldier Clinic -- closed during DONSAs
• Limited services by appointment only -- Byrd Family Medical Home, gastroenterology, general surgery, occupational therapy, opthamology, orthopedic clinic, radiology, women's health (OB/GYN)
• Acute walk-in services only -- Allergy clinic, adult behavioral health (7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.), ear, nose and throat clinic, Family Advocacy Program (7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in Building 2544)
CLOSED
• Audiology
• Brace shop
• Cardiology
• Child and Family Assistance Center
• Chiropractic
• Endoscopy
• Exceptional Family Member Program
• Main pharmacy
• Marriage and Family therapy
• Neurology - EMG
• Pain management
• Refractive eye surgery
• Soldier readiness processing
• Urology
Related Links:
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