Hospital undergoes inspection of health service operations

Members of the in-place patient decontamination team conduct initial triage on a “patient” (a mannequin) in front of the decontamination area to diagnosis his status. The team trained Sept. 14, 2012, at the Keesler Hospital, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., as the 81st Medical Group continued preparing for the Oct. 23-25 Air Force Inspection Agency Health Service Inspection. (Photo by Dawson Love)

Hospital undergoes inspection of health service operations

Published Sept. 26, 2012
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Members of the 81st Medical Group continue to fine tune all aspects of the varied elements necessary to provide top-notch medical service to the Keesler community in anticipation of the Air Force Inspection Agency Health Service Inspection scheduled for Oct. 23-25, just days before the Oct. 29-Nov. 5 Air Education and Training Command Consolidated Unit Inspection.

The Air Force Inspection Agency, headquartered at Kirtland AFB, N.M., is a Field Operating Agency of the Secretary of the Air Force Inspector General and is the primary action arm of the SAF/IG's inspection system.

Lt. Col. Carla Leeseberg, director of the 81st MDG quality office, said the Medical Operations Directorate, one of five AFIA directorates, performs health services inspections of all Air Force active-duty, Reserve and Guard medical units worldwide in partnership with expert civilian accrediting agencies such as The Joint Commission.

"An HSI is conducted by nine medical inspectors who ensure compliance with Department of Defense and Air Force instructions and regulations," the colonel said. "An AFIA team conducting an active-duty HSI is comprised of eight officers and one enlisted member, each on average with more than 25 years experience in the Air Force Medical Service. Many are graduated group commanders, squadron commanders and group superintendents."