Cutting edge: DGMC celebrates opening of new, state-of-the-art hemodialysis center, precision machines to fight cancer

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  The largest medical facility on the West Coast has seen major improvements in 2010 which have brought state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to the base.

During the past few months, David Grant USAF Medical Center was amid a flurry of changes, upgrades and renovations.

One of the most visible changes is the relocated Hemodialysis Center. The joint Department of Defense/Veterans Affairs operation is the largest of its kind for either organization.

The center is a 16-chair, $1.6 million facility which opened in May. It replaced a 10-chair location previously housed in the hospital's third floor.

In addition to cosmetic improvements such as improving lighting and wood-patterned vinyl flooring, the moved placed the center near the facility's main entrance, a feature its patients, who have varying degrees of mobility, have appreciated.

"We had three patients who used to use a wheelchair because we were on the third floor," said 1st Lt. Jason Parkinson, who works in the center. "Now they're walking to their dialysis. It's a nice improvement."

Sandy Robison, the Veterans Affairs nurse manager and a registered nurse who works in the center, echoed the lieutenant's thoughts.

"It's a warm environment," she said. "(The patients) like the openness, cheeriness, brightness, size and location."

Master Sgt. Matt Deel, the noncommissioned officer in charge of hemodialysis and nephrology, said one of the biggest improvements has been in the water delivery system. Previously, the center's staff was required to mix dialysis solution, which includes potassium and sodium bicarbonate, in jugs and hand carry to the patient's station.

Now, the water is mixed in a back room and is piped directly to the dialysis machines.

"It makes me think of indoor plumbing," Sergeant Deel said in reference to old system.

But the hemodialysis center is not the only recent improvement for the hospital.

In late March, a $5.7 million upgrade to the Joint Radiation Oncology Center added two new cutting-edge linear accelerators for treating cancerous tumors and lesions with pinpoint precision and accuracy.

According to Dr. (Col.) Roland Engel, the radiation oncology flight commander for the 60th Medical Operations Squadron, the new accelerators allow a radiation dose to conform more precisely to the three-dimensional shape of the tumor. Clinicians are able to adjust the patient's position to ensure precise target of the tumor, thereby sparing surrounding tissues to the greatest extent possible.

"Our new machines will allow us to deliver even higher doses to tumors, without overexposing nearby normal or critical structures," said Dr. (Capt.) Borislav Hristov, 60 MDOS staff radiation oncologist.

Charles Hersey, a medical dosimetrist who works in the center, said the precision allows patients to reduce their treatment times from 15 minutes down to as little as 120 seconds.

"For patients who are unable to lie down, this is superior," Mr. Hersey said.

The accuracy also has diminished side effects for patients, mostly because Mr. Hersey said the center's previous machines were dated.

"We've had a significant reduction in complaints," Mr. Hersey said. "We're at the leading edge of cancer treatment now."

Earlier this year, the hospital became just one of 10 in the nation to earn the Occupation Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program's "STAR" status.

"Our number one priority at DGMC is safety," said Dr. (Col.) Brian Hayes, 60th Medical Group commander. "Our diligence and actions have paid big dividends through our commitment to workplace safety, not only for ourselves, but for every person who walks through our doors."

DGMC's changes are not complete, however. Under construction is a $4.4 million cardiovascular care center, a new program for the facility which includes a hybrid, robotically operated Cardiovascular Operating Room. A new lab opens in mid-July, followed by a new Infusion Center, a new Heart, Lung and Vascular Center, a new Ophthamology Refractive Eye Surgery Center and a new Intermediate Care Unit in the Fall.

"This brings changes on a hospital-wide basis," said Maj. Steven Blevins, 60th Surgical Operations Squadron Operating Room Nurse. "We need clinics, intensive care, blood banks, everything to support this program."

The cardiovascular center is due to open Oct. 1.

Jim Spellman with the 60th Medical Group contributed to this story.