Encore! DGMC delivers cutting edge technology AFSO 21 applications

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Austin E. Delacruz, Jr.
  • 60th Medical Operations Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As cutting edge medical technology is introduced to top-rated medical treatment facilities across the country, David Grant USAF Medical Center continues to fulfill its peacetime and wartime mission at Travis. By providing the best health services, education and research to its patient population, DGMC continues to improve the readiness and health of the warfighter and their dependents through these medical innovations.

Recently, DGMC's pulmonary diagnostic laboratory acquired one of the most sophisticated and accurate Cardiopulmonary Diagnostic Systems - the Sensormedics Vmax Encore, produced by a research-based medical technology company focused on respiratory technology, neuro-care and medical/surgical products.

This gives DGMC the ability to provide definitive care and technological headway on the quality of its service from its neighboring civilian treatment and research facilities, university and community hospitals, research centers, physician groups and independent laboratories. But what really drives the cardiopulmonary laboratory to invest into this advanced technology is the application of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century.

"You can do more with less time and manning, if you have the powerful tools, simplified processes and smart operation mindset," explained Dr. [Maj.] Thomas Kelley, 60th Medical Operations Squadron chief of pulmonologists and medical director of the Cardiopulmonary Phase II training program. "Incorporating AFSO21 in the process, will allow our providers to deliver faster, better and cheaper but high-quality medical service."

Ongoing budget cuts, manpower reductions and deployments have created an aura where many Air Force members are assigned gargantuan tasks and are expected to generate a throughput above and beyond their civilian counterparts. The acquisition of the Vmax Encore platform highlights its technological advances with exceptional features and enhancements that benefit the patients and medical providers. It also offers overall safety within the testing environment through new, effort-independent pulmonary function testing using Impulse Oscillometry.

The Simplified Flow Calibration allows the cardiopulmonary technologist to achieve high accuracy data with less effort - minimizing testing preparatory efforts and maximizing available patient testing time.

"First, we looked at the process of how we routinely perform full pulmonary functions studies," said Senior Airman Stephanie Rigsby, senior technologist in the Pulmonary Functions Laboratory. "Using AFSO21, we critically analyzed how we, the cardiopulmonary technologists, can reduce our procedure time without compromising the quality of the data obtained during the procedure."

"Surprisingly, we were able to successfully reduce almost 40 percent of the time needed to perform the procedure utilizing our new equipment and applying the AFSO21 concept," explained Airman Rigsby. "This resulted to increasing availability of procedure slots and ultimately producing higher quantity and quality cardiopulmonary care."

The Vmax Encore produces highly accurate and stable testing data utilizing mass flow sensor technology with real-time gas temperature sensing and dynamic Body Temperature Pressure Saturated correction capability. BTPS is a revolutionary fast gas analysis technology that allows a full suite of patient testing capabilities, enabling DGMC to serve its ever growing patient population.

"The new Vmax Encore is easier to calibrate and more readily available for patient use. It cut down a lot of waiting time and significantly improved turnaround time and availability of test results," explained Dr. [Maj.] Aalok Shah, 60th MDOS staff pulmonologist. "Prompt management of the disease process is the core of improving the overall quality of patient care."

"It's amazing how things in the Air Force are constantly changing for the better," said Airman 1st Class Sean Bogdonas, 60th MDOS staff cardiopulmonary technologist. "I am the newest staff member in this section, but I find that everyone is a player and winner. It's not just looking at how we can do our job better, but going the extra mile by introducing innovative methods and technology here to DGMC. I am very excited because I have so many ideas that I can contribute to improve the way we do things in my new work area."