InsideLejeune Inside Lejeune C | THE GLOBE
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Midshipmen get taste of Marine Corps|2C
THURSDAY JULY Y 28, 2011
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Photo by Cpl. Jonathan G. Wright
From July 11 through 15, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune was the site for two quality assurance inspections by the Naval Medical Inspector General and the Joint Commission, an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies the overall performance of more than 19,000 medical establishments and programs across the country.
Joint Commission, Inspector General put NHCL under microscope CPL. JONATHAN G. WRIGHT Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
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very three years, a tiny shiver crawls up the spines of those in U.S. naval hospitals. At any time, their respective hospital will be put under the microscope, poked and prodded and shown against a multitude of proficiency standards, making or breaking a hospital’s reputation. A week of triple-checking oneself and waiting in anticipation, the Joint Commission draws near. The JC is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies the overall performance of more than 19,000 medical establishments and programs across the country.
Their ratings are recognized nationwide and speaks of the levels of health care quality and professionalism of each medical organization, thoroughly examining every intricacy of that hospital. But for Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, the JC is not alone. Alongside the JC inspection team is another group of health care quality assurance professionals led by the Naval Medical Inspector General – the Navy’s version of the JC that leads their own investigative team. With these two make-or-break forces descending upon NHCL, it was an all-out medical health and comfort inspection for NHCL, July 11 through 15. “This week of inspection occurs randomly as so not to allow health care organizations the opportunity to prepare for their visit,” said Navy Capt. Daniel
Courtesy photo
Zinder, commanding officer of NHCL. “On the side of naval medical hospitals, there is no need for preparation. What we present to these inspections is what we operate on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, there are still feelings of anxiety when you have 14 inspectors examining everything the hospital has to offer, looking for something to hit you on.” The JC inspections examine such things as overall hospital safety and the chain of events from diagnosis to discharge while the NMIG focuses on patient relations, how well health care providers know their jobs and the structure of the hospital command, from Zinder down to the newest sailor. On average, the inspector general records an average of 12 finds for the Navy’s various
medical institutions with NHCL coming out with only eight. While the final reports for either the JC or NMIG have been published, inspectors concluded the week with only eight findings. “The JC surveyors commented all week on how nicely things were going,” said Zinder. “Nothing major had been found – they said they had to dig very deeply into things to uncover something to record. After it was completed, they said they had the shortest hit list for a hospital in 17 years.” That is exactly the sort of quality that NHCL constantly brings to the table. A forerunner of all health care establishments in the Navy, NHCL continually strives to provide the best service to anyone who walks through their doors. From Patient relations representatives to a 24-hour-a-day
Wounded Warriors settle in to new barracks
Photo by Pfc. Nik S. Phongsisattanak
Joe Knipe, a former Marine, and Barbara Robinson, program director with Armed Services YMCA, shake hands during the first Poker Run hosted by the Armed Services YMCA fundraising event at the New River Harley Davidson Buell motorcycle shop in Jacksonville, N.C., July 16. Knipe won the grand prize with a threeof-a-kind of jacks and received a $200 gift certificate from a local tattoo parlor.
CPL. DAMANY S. COLEMAN
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marines recovering at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from wounds sustained in Afghanistan and Iraq are finally making the newly constructed Wounded Warrior Battalion – East barracks their new home. The barracks are adjacent to the hospital, providing wounded Marines easy access to medical appointments. The troops’ previous home, near the II Marine Expeditionary Headquarters building, was five miles from Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune and was a 1940s-era barracks that needed regular upkeep. Now, not only are they co-located with the Fisher House, they are minutes away from the hospital where they can receive treatment. “We were successful on bid day for awarding the project, although profit margins were very slim,” said Mark Blackman, Wounded Warrior Barracks project superintendent with RN Rouse, a construction company out of Cary, N.C. “I was called into the office and asked if I would come down here to build it. It was an honor.” Blackman said he learned to appreciate service members regardless of what branch from his father, who retired from the Air Force. When he saw the first few Marines at the new barracks – burns, missing limbs and just as many scars from battle as incisions from surgery – it didn’t bother him. “When I was younger, I never realized what my father did in the military,” said Blackman. “But I have a brother who was burned, missing half of his chest and missing a finger. I’ve seen this before and there’s nothing wrong with them. These Marines were at the ribbon cutting. In our world, that’s tough for the outside world to see. The (wounded warriors) aren’t looking for sympathy. I want to shake their hands just as hard as I shake anyone else’s because I can only imagine what they had to go through.” Blackman said that the new barracks and accommodations help them find peace and provide a sense of tranquility. No more stress from shoulder-wide bathrooms or tiny beds because they now have above-average living quarters in a clean, up-to-date facility. “Every one of them deserve it,” said Blackman. “I’ll probably never be a part of something like this again in my career. I have five children. If I can raise them and instill in them that if they can reach out and make a difference SEE BARRACKS 2C
nurses’ hotline, NHCL “takes care of the guardians of peace,” per its motto, as well as the families of those guardians. Such is a fact that is once again verified by both the Joint Commission and the Naval Medical Inspector General. Of the large number of programs the hospital boasts, each one puts patient care first, and again with the reports not yet finalized, it is a fact both inspecting parties have verified. “It is extremely validating for them to come in, put us under the microscope and tell us that we’re doing a great job,” said Zinder. “However, with the inspections completed, it’s not like we let our guard down and dial down our proficiency. We constantly maintain the highest level of health care service we can and are always looking for ways to improve ourselves.”
Motorcyclists cruise to YMCA Poker Run fundraising event PFC. NIK S. PHONGSISATTANAK
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
More than 40 motorcyclists participated in the first Poker Run hosted by the Armed Services YMCA at New River Harley Davidson Buell motorcycle shop in Jacksonville, N.C., July 16. This was an ASYMCA fundraising event that was open to the public, and it was a combination of a motorcycle run and poker game. Riders rolled in to register for the event around 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event. The cost of the event was $10 for single riders and $15 for riders with a passenger. Participants mingled and talked about their favorite bikes and roads to ride on while the sun reflected off the polished chrome and paint of bikes leaning together in a formation. After an hour of registering, riders zipped up their leather jackets, fitted their helmets and mounted their bikes. To identify event participants, all riders were given wristbands and a tally sheet to keep track of their poker hand. At 10:30 a.m., the bikers revved their motors and started the run from the New River Harley David-
son Buell, where they also received their first card, making stops at various businesses to pick up a card at each checkpoint before returning to the New River Harley Davidson Buell to complete the course. As riders returned from the 60mile route, their stomachs continued to rumble like the bikes they rolled in on. The Harley shop provided hot dogs right off the grill and cold beverages to tame their hunger and quench their thirst. “I’m giving these dogs my special touch,” said Cpl. Aaron Carter, a warehouse clerk with 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, one of the volunteers who helped grill. Around 2 p.m., everyone gathered around the tents for the raffle drawing prize giveaway and the announcement of the rider with the winning poker hand. Raffle winners received items such as helmets, gloves, T-shirts and gift certificates provided by area businesses. The poker run winner was Joe Knipe, a former Marine, and he received a $200 gift certificate to a local tattoo parlor. His winning hand was a three-of-a-kind of jacks. “I really enjoyed the event,” said
Knipe. “The course was nice and the weather was perfect. I’d be happy to support the YMCA at any of their events.” A few Marines with 3rd and 5th Battalions, 10th Marines, volunteered to help the YMCA at the Poker Run. “It’s a good feeling to be able to give back to the community,” said Carter. “I’m a family man myself, and it’s good to see the all people out supporting the YMCA because they do a lot for the service members and their families.” Many volunteers and local businesses helped to make the event possible. “The YMCA didn’t have to pay for any of the prizes or food provided at this event,” said Barbara Robinson, program director with ASYMCA. “We’re fortunate to have all these volunteers and (businesses) supporting us. I’m thankful for all of their help. I think the event turned out great so we’ll probably hold this event next year.” For more information on ASYMCA programs and events call 450-0497 or visit lejeuneasymca.org.