McConnell initiates steps to improve medical waivers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Members of various medical group agencies and unit deployment managers came together to build a better system for Airmen deploying with medical waiver during a Continuous Process Improvement meeting, Feb 9, held here.

During the meeting, problems and gaps within the system were identified so members can work toward developing ideas and initiatives for solving the problems in future meetings.

Currently, the system cannot quickly identify members who require waiver before they can deploy. This system often creates problems for alternate deployers who end up receiving a short-notice deployment orders, instead.

"We have had cases where we have a one or two-week notice for someone else to get spun up and there have been times where they send an alternate to deployment and that person needs a waiver too," said Tech. Sgt. Amber Campos, 22nd Aerospace Medical Squadron force health management NCO in charge.
One of the problems identified was a lack of access to information showing that there is a problem with a deploying member, even when he/she is are not on a profile. For example, when individuals have a condition, take certain medications, they may not be able to go to certain locations without a waiver.

"They don't know that they need a waiver, and we don't catch that until they come into their pre-deployment screening, which is usually within their 30-day window," said Campos. "Then, we are kind of chasing our tails to get a waiver and have it approved before they leave."

Tracking those members is a strenuous process, requiring public health Airmen to physically go through many medical files.

"There isn't a database that will spit out a report that says certain people require a waiver," said Campos. "The end goal is to have a solid, streamlined process that works for everyone, whether with a short-tasking or adequate notice, that way, we can have the best results."

In future meetings, the members will come up with a solution to reduce stress for alternative deployers with the help of CPI, which will be facilitated by Tech. Sgt. Young Suh, 22nd Contracting Squadron plans and programs section chief and CPI green belt.

"If we had a better process, we could mitigate the possibility of someone being short-tasked and put through the stress of preparing themselves, taking care of family issues and finances," said Suh.