Telelconference held to improve Pacific medical care Published April 22, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson 13th Air Force Public Affairs HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNS) -- Thirteenth Air Force officials hosted an inaugural aeromedical evacuation quality system-wide teleconference here recently for more than 30 military members and civilians to improve aeromedical evacuations for patients throughout the Pacific. It was the first teleconference of its kind to be hosted in U.S. Pacific Command's area of responsibility. The conference focused on all aspects of aeromedical evacuation, from the initial request for support to final delivery and treatment of patients at the end destination. "This initiative is designed to build partnerships focused on improving the patient movement process," said Lt. Col. Stephen Fecura, chief of the Theater Patient Movement Requirements Center-Pacific. "This forum gives us the opportunity to collectively focus on providing better and safer patient care." The teleconference brought together a broad network of professionals involved in aeromedical evacuation in the Pacific. It included military members and civilians from Air Mobility Command, U.S. Transportation Command, Pacific Air Forces, 13th Air Force, Tricare Area Office - Pacific, the Veterans Administration, Tripler Army Medical Center, the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the Joint Medical Attendant Transport Teams community, as well as other nurses, doctors and administrative personnel from the Air Force, Army and Navy. Officials with the Royal Australian Air Force also will participate in upcoming teleconferences that are scheduled to take place monthly. Some of the objectives discussed during the conference included lessons learned from real world case studies, patient preparation and enroute care for both aeromedical-evacuation and joint medical attendant transport team patients. The PACOM aeromedical evacuation quality system-wide teleconference was developed based on a U.S. Central Command 2005 quality initiative which proved that system-wide, patient focused and quality-driven programs can lead to better and safer patient care, Colonel Fecura said. "I'm looking forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with organizations intrinsically involved in the well being of our patients," said Maj. Scott Tonko, 13th Air Force chief of clinical operations. "Improving patient movement processes and customer satisfaction are key elements of this quality forum tailored to the "Jungle" Air Force Theater. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page