DGMC to undergo review by Joint Commission / Health Services Inspections teams

  • Published
  • 60th Medical Group Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  David Grant USAF Medical Center has received official notification that the Joint Commission and Health Services Inspection teams will conduct a virtually no advance notice review of the largest Air Force medical facility on the west coast Dec. 8 through 12. 

Approximately every 36 months, Air Force hospitals are required to submit to an accreditation survey conducted by the pre-eminent national accrediting organization, the Joint Commission. This is in fulfillment of both Department of Defense and Air Force requirements for inpatient facilities across the Military Health Service. 

"Most public and private hospitals in the U.S. are Joint Commission-accredited, since this is acknowledged as the gold standard for external validation that patient care services are effectively managed and professionally administered," said Rees Donneson, 60th Medical Group chief of Quality Management and Compliance. "At DGMC, this is also important for our graduate medical education, officer and enlisted specialty training programs, since such training is most often conducted in accredited healthcare organizations." 

According to Mr. Donneson, the Joint Commission's accreditation carries the recognition that DGMC adheres to the same standards in providing safe patient care that other accredited institutions across the U.S. adhere to. It also communicates that DGMC physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and technical and support staffs meet or exceed standards associated with their roles in patient care.

Health Services Inspections, conducted in accordance with Air Force Instruction 90-201, Inspector General Activities, are timed to coincide with JC accreditation surveys. Although the JC survey and HSI are separate entities, the combined JC and HSI visit improves efficiency by eliminating the need for separate visits by each team. 

"HSIs are performed by experienced medical teams assigned to the Air Force Inspection Agency," Mr. Donneson explained. "These inspections are conducted under the auspices of the Air Force Inspector General, and are similar to the Unit Compliance Inspections our own 60th Air Mobility Wing periodically undergoes." 

Mr. Donneson also pointed out that beneficiaries should be aware DGMC has a Patient Relations office at 423-2388 to address concerns about access, patient care or other subjects that may be important. 

"Mr. Donneson also stressed any patient, family or DGMC staff member who continues to have concerns about the safety or quality of care provided here, can contact the Joint Commission weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) toll free at 1-800-994-6610.