DEFENSE HEALTH HEADQUARTERS, FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA -- Gen. David Perkins, Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command, met with senior leaders of Army Medicine on Jan. 10 and discussed a range of topics of value to Army Medicine.
Perkins concluded by thanking the leaders of Army Medicine for forging the sacred bond between medics and soldiers.
"The Army Medical System is the crown jewel of the Army," he said. "It is important for our Soldiers that they know, if there is any way possible, they will get medical care. We provide the best medical care anywhere in the world."
The Association of Military Surgeons of the United States also has high praise for Army Medicine. They recently presented to Army Medicine the AMSUS Award for the "High Reliability Organization Award for Most Improved in Access to Care".
Maj. Gen, Patrick Sargent, the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) Commanding General for Operations (DCG-O), chartered the Army Enterprise Appointing System (EAS) Project in December 2014. This system has increased patient satisfaction with by increasing appointment availability; decreased the variance in appointment policies, procedures, and systems; and improved customer service.
The EAS Project team consists of about 50 members and is split between the Defense Health Headquarters, in Falls Church, Virginia, and Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Contributing members consist of military and DoD civilians assigned at various medical treatment facilities, regional health centers, and the Army Medical Command.
The EAS Project Team in collaboration with the Access to Care (ATC) Working Group, increased the number of annual primary care appointments by 5.5% or 275,000, resulting in a 37% increase in acute 3rd Next Available 24-hour appointments (a decrease from 1.9 days to 1.2 days). Available appointments increased by 55,000, resulting in a potential network cost avoidance of $14.1 million.
The determination, compassion and accomplishments of the EAS Project Team are an example of MEDCOM's ongoing commitment to increase access, improve readiness and achieve Army Medicine's Vision to be the Nation's premier expeditionary and globally-integrated medical force and to meet the no. 1 priority of the Chief of Staff of the Army -- readiness.
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