48th MDG garners another outstanding rating

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Connor Estes
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The list of the 48th Medical Group's achievements continues to grow with another "Outstanding" rating earned during the Health Services Inspection that took place March 28 - April 1.

This culminates a year of achievements for the 48th MDG, whose other recent accomplishments include participating in the 48th Fighter Wing's operational readiness inspection, which earned the top score of "Outstanding"; being recognized as the Air Force Surgeon General's Best Hospital of the year for the second consecutive year as well as supporting real-world deployment operations.

The inspection team consisted of ten inspectors from the Air Force Inspection Agency Medical Operations Directorate. The team included a nurse, dentist, physician, public health, mental health, administration, senior enlisted and bioenvironmental engineer inspectors who inspected the hospital based on 1,657 specific criteria.

These criteria fell into three major categories: Expeditionary Medical Operations, In-garrison Medical Operations and Leadership. The 48th MDG scored the highest rating of "Outstanding" in all three categories, resulting in an overall "Outstanding" rating for the facility.

"One area alone will not earn you an "Outstanding" score," said Col. David Hocking, 48th MDG commander. "It takes the entire team."

At the same time as the HSI inspection, the 48th MDG was surveyed by the Joint Commission, a civilian healthcare accreditation organization. The Joint Commission team included four surveyors; a physician, nurse, life safety, and behavioral health. This survey focused on safety and quality of care. In addition to reviewing documentation, the team interviewed patients and staff, as well as observed procedures throughout the hospital. Combined, the 48th MDG was looked at by the Joint Commission and HSI for compliance with more than 5,000 inspectable items.

"I could not be more proud of this team," said Col. Hocking, "especially given the many competing priorities faced by our medics in the past few months. This inspection result is truly a reflection of the liberty medics' efforts to provide safe, quality patient care."