WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. -- Improving the health and welfare of 700 employees is a tall order for the Watervliet Arsenal's small health clinic, especially when the clinic was nearly on life support itself this past year. But in the matter of one month, the clinic has regained its strength and in doing so, the health care for more than 700 employees has also been strengthened.
Earlier this year, the clinic was hit with multiple retirements that reduced its medical section to two people, Laura Garramone, the nurse supervisor, and Robin Kratky, a medical support assistant.
And so, for nearly eight months, Garramone tenuously held the clinic's medical operations together managing the arsenal's health care to its 700 employees. Given that the arsenal is a heavy industrial manufacturing center, this was no small undertaking.
"I was the case manager for every employee providing support that ranged from reviewing return-to-work profiles to initiating physicals to conducting eye and hearing exams," Garramone said. "But now that we have two well-qualified medical practitioners who joined our team in September, we will now be able to move our healthcare forward, providing additional services that have been unavailable here."
The two new additions are: Douglas Czaplicki, a certified physician assistant; and Katrina Dinan, a registered nurse. Czaplicki is a retired Army lieutenant colonel who did this type of work for the New York Army National Guard. Dinan is considered an expert in Occupation Health as proven by her being the president of the New York Capital District Association of Occupational Health Nurses. Both great fits for the arsenal.
So, now with this added capability, what will be different?
"First, we will get the arsenal back on tract in regards to supporting the commander's directive of 'Clinic First,'" Czaplicki said. "Secondly, we want to raise the level of medical service to include conducting complete physicals, as well as applying sutures for minor cuts and gashes."
The Clinic First policy mandates that anyone who is injured or becomes sick while on duty must report to the Health Clinic so that the compensation process can be started.
Of course, this does not apply to severe injuries or sickness requiring emergency treatment at a hospital. Each supervisor is also required to report the injury and or sickness to the Health Clinic within two working days from the date of the incident.
From a worker's compensation point of view, supporting the Clinic First policy simply makes sense. By involving the Health Clinic, the process for potential worker's compensation begins.
Regarding physicals, in the past the arsenal relied on a doctor who would be available just a few hours a month to complete physicals that are required for many of the jobs at the arsenal. Now, with the new team, Garramone and Dinan may initiate the physicals, while Czaplicki, as a physician assistant, can complete the physicals.
Having a resident physician assistant and experienced occupational health experts also opens the door for other enhanced medical support.
"Although we will not replace local emergency rooms and on-call treatment centers, we will be able to provide initial medical assistance to those on duty," Czaplicki said. "If you are injured at work and need minor suturing, instead of spending six or more hours in an emergency room waiting for treatment you can get immediate attention, here."
Dinan added that another major improvement the workforce will see will be an enhanced occupational health effort.
"People are often rushed through emergency rooms, as well as through their family care clinics and leave with questions about the medication they have been prescribed, the results of lab work that was completed, or the treatment they are about to undergo," Dinan said. "We can help them make sense of all that in a quiet, controlled setting where time is not a factor."
Garramone, who oversees the clinic, has not wasted any time putting the skills of Czaplicki and Dinan to work. During the course of this interview, all were weaving in and out of discussion conducting physicals and providing flu shots.
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Watervliet Arsenal
-The U.S. Army Health Clinic Watervliet Arsenal is part of the Army's Medical Department Activity at Fort Drum.
-The Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned-and-operated manufacturing facility and is the oldest, continuously operating arsenal in the United States, having begun operations during the War of 1812. It celebrated its 200th anniversary in July 2013.
-Today's arsenal is relied upon by U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high-tech, high-powered weaponry for cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems. This National Historic Registered Landmark has an annual economic benefit to the local community in excess of $90 million.
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