“A-T-D”

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Frederick Weaver
  • 60th Medical Support Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  There are three letters I have come to realize play a significant role in our success. Those three letters are "A-T-D," which stand for "attention to detail."

While attention to detail seems like a silly cliché, it is the foundation for excellence in all we do. And, it does take time to do. It is easy to simply gloss over things in the interest of time, but that is not the essence of A-T-D.

When we apply and embrace A-T-D in the course of our business, both personal and professional, we can have a positive effect on processes and people; especially in the areas of compliance and compassion.

Let me give an example in the compliance arena. The 60th Medical Group is anticipating our Joint Commission and Health Services Inspection this fall/winter. This is the medical community's largest and most intense inspection, designed to ensure compliance with regulatory and medical standards.

While we provide outstanding healthcare to our beneficiaries on a daily basis, there are administrative and business facets that must be attended to that are equally important as the actual delivery of healthcare. Proper documentation of healthcare visits has a long-term effect on the individual member when they return for other visits, after separating or retiring, etc.

Without A-T-D, important health information would be lost, potentially reducing individual post military benefits in the long term. Administrative inattention potentially results in dwindled resources that negatively impact our ability to support our beneficiaries and warfighters.

A-T-D can be as simple as ensuring a staff package is accurate for policy approval, or as complicated as business plans driving short and long-term medical resources. These things, among many others, are evaluated by the medical inspectors. Write-ups in any area can tarnish the organization as a whole and bring down all the good that has occurred. A-T-D does make a difference in this arena.

Now let's talk about A-T-D in the compassion arena. There is a quote by noted author Rudyard Kipling that says "for the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack." Several months ago, we lost a great Airman in a tragic accident. Nothing can prepare a person or a unit for that type of event. It was the hardest thing I have had to deal with as a commander.

However, in evaluating that situation and everything that was done, it was clear that A-T-D was absolutely critical. The entire unit gave strength to each individual, and vice versa.

Everyone in the unit had keen A-T-D, from initial notification to final completion of the last detail only a month ago. Everything that was done for the family had an impact; everyone involved had a "blinders-off" approach. In fact, every detail, no matter how trivial, was looked at as the most important detail. Nothing was overlooked. This made a lasting impact on everyone, both family and unit personnel, and is still commented on by the spouse for the attention and devotion to her and her family.

Everyone is extremely busy with the high ops tempo that has become the normal expectation in the military. However, paying attention to the details can prevent minor issues from becoming major. That is A-T-D and why it is the foundation for excellence and success.