Sgt. Maj. of the Army spouse, Holly Dailey, toured Blanchfield Army Community Hospital and visited with staff members and patients Jan. 28, providing an overview of Army medicine and the healthcare services available to Soldiers, their families and retirees at Fort Campbell.
During the tour, Dailey visited the Emergency Center, Dining Facility, Mother-Baby Unit, and Behavioral Health Department, and discussed her personal experience with Army medicine and military medical facilities.
"We have always used military facilities for my husband, me, and our son's [healthcare]," Dailey said. "The atmosphere at a military hospital makes you feel part of the larger Army family. You can tell the staff cares, they listen to you, and they take the time to help our military families so they have the best experience possible."
Prior to visiting Fort Campbell and BACH, Dailey said she had heard stories from Soldiers and family members about enjoying the duty station and expressing their desire to return to Fort Campbell. "Now I know why they have that feeling. I feel it as I walk through the halls," Dailey said. "You realize the personnel care about their patients."
This feeling is a core component of the patient-centered approach that Army medicine has adopted over the past decade. Army Medicine first began patient-centered care concepts within maternity care and the concept has since moved into primary care and is expanding to other specialties.
While visiting BACH, Dailey witnessed patient-centered care first-hand when she met one of the newest members of the Army family, Noah Greenfield, and his parents Staff Sgt. Christopher and Ashley Greenfield.
"They were so grateful. They had another child [at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital], and they said they love coming back, the rooms and the staff. That is truly the Army family strong bonds," Dailey said.
Blanchfield held a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 17, 2015 formally opening the A building wing addition of the hospital, allowing all new moms to experience single private rooms after their child's delivery.
"This has been a huge satisfier for our patients," said Cpt. Katherine Turano, head nurse on the Mother-Baby Unit. "We are very grateful to have the extra space now to accommodate all our new moms by providing them a private room, enabling them special bonding time with their new baby and privacy for them, other family members and visitors."
Dailey was visiting with her husband, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, who observed training with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and focused on the Soldiers' ability to maintain operational readiness by utilizing the Performance Triad guiding principles --proper sleep, activity and nutrition. During the hospital visit, (Holly) Dailey also discussed the value Performance Triad can bring to Army spouses.
"[It helps] get the balance back into your life when you have gotten off track due to the busy lifestyle the military brings. Performance Triad pushes us to be healthy, be active, and thrive to build the foundation we have set for ourselves to start our healthy lifestyle."
Sleep, activity and nutrition are also important for Army children, said Dailey, as she discussed her excitement to see how Army medicine will incorporate these three guiding principles into the education system. "[These principles] will be used to help educate our children on the nutritional benefits, physical activity, and sleep readiness that Performance Triad offers." Dailey said the hope is that these principles will spread throughout Army homes and flourish throughout the coming years.
After touring Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, meeting with staff members and talking with patients, Dailey finished her visit by offering the best compliment to Army medicine: "Even after retirement, my family and I hope to return [to Army medicine] to receive our medical care."
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