Traveller Medical Readiness Guide

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COMMANDER’S CORNER Welcome to the Kenner Army Health Clinic Medical Readiness Guide. Inside you will find articles and information on Army Medicine’s top priority – ensuring the health and readiness of our service members and their families. As the Army downsizes and restructures its force, medical readiness has never been more important.

It is critical for our service members to be healthy, physically fit, and ready to deploy.

In an effort to optimize medical readiness, the Army launched its Medical Readiness Transformation (MRT) on 1 June 2016. Some highlights of this new program include a simplified Medical Readi-

ness Classification system, an improved profiling system, and a new Commander’s Portal. These initiatives will make it easier for Commanders to track and actively manage their unit’s medical readiness.

In addition to MRT, the Army continues to promote the Performance Triad as its key enabler of medical readiness. The Performance Triad is a comprehensive initiative designed to help individuals balance and sustain health through three main components: sleep, activity, and nutrition.

At Kenner, we are committed to improving knowledge and behaviors in these three areas so our patients can prevent

MEDICAL READINESS Soldiers Should Be ‘Fully Medically Ready’ The culture of readiness in the Army is changing – are you ready! The Personnel Readi-

Publisher Laura Baxter Creative Director Tricia Lieurance Editorial Content Tereasa Wade Capt. Dorothy Trimmer Graphic Designer Susan Cofer

ness and Medical Deployability Transformation Plan supports the Chief of Staff’s position that

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illness, improve their physical/mental performance, and enhance their overall wellbeing.

In closing, thank you for placing your trust in Kenner Army Health Clinic. Our team is committed to enabling your health and providing you with the patient-centered services you deserve. We hope this guide will serve as a great resource for improving your health, well-being, and readiness.

LTC Brett H. Venable, CDFM, FACHE Commander, Kenner Army Health Clinic Fort Lee, Virginia

Readiness is the number one priority for the US Army. “There is no other #1.” This effort is both revolutionary and evolutionary in all aspects. The overhaul is essential and highly impactful. The necessary tools to lead this change will be in the hands of the O-3 commander and the Healthcare Team. Commanders, Soldiers and Providers will collaborate to improve the health, welfare, and deployability of Soldiers on Fort Lee. One of the most significant changes can be seen in the medical readiness categories.

The annual periodic health assessment (PHA) and dental exam are now classified as MRC 4 – non-deployable. Ensuring all Soldiers receive these annual exams can result in a rapid and significant improvement in overall unit readiness.

The Soldiers PHA status is green for 12 months and amber for 3 months. On the 1st day of the 15th month the PHA will be reported in MEDPROs as red.

Soldiers should begin their PHA process while they are amber. The instructions are listed on the front of the PHA packet which can be downloaded from the Kenner website.

Soldiers have a responsibility to ensure maintenance of their individual medical readiness record (IMR) which can be viewed and downloaded from AKO. To be considered fully medically ready, a Soldier must be green in all medical readiness requirements listed on the IMR. If a Soldier is red, amber or blank for any of these requirements, they are not medically ready. The categories are: not pregnant, medically non-deployable, immunizations, DNA, hearing, vision, dental, HIV, immunizations, no limited duty profile and current PHA. PHA forms can be downloaded from the Kenner website or by visiting the Active Duty Clinic and picking up the PHA Packet.

Active Duty Clinic: 0600-1600 Monday through Friday Laboratory: 0700-1600 Monday through Friday Immunizations: Active Duty Clinic, 0700 - 1130, 1300-1500 Monday- Friday.

Optometry: Soldiers who wear glasses or contacts should contact the appointment line at

1-866-533-5242 to make an appointment for their annual exams.

Hearing: Active Duty Clinic, 0700 - 1130, 1300-1500 Monday- Friday. Hearing is done on a walk-in basis.

Individual Medical Equipment (IME): Three letter codes appear for the equipment the Soldier is missing or not rated for. Soldiers requiring eyeglasses (2PG), mask inserts (1MI) or eye protection (MCEP-1) should report to the Optometry clinic at Kenner.

Soldiers requiring hearing aids or medical warning tags should report to the Active Duty Clinic.

SEE MORE ON MEDICAL READINESS ON PAGE 4

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MRT: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! What exactly is medical readiness transformation?

What is it?

Medical Readiness Transformation is a significant, transformative process that will allow commanders to view all essential medical information, kept in one convenient location, and enable the commanders to quickly assess the medical readiness of Soldiers.

Per the August 2015 direction of the vice chief of staff of the Army, the U.S. Army’s personnel and readiness reporting systems are being overhauled to achieve readiness, which is the Army’s number one priority.

What has the Army done?

The Medical Readiness Transformation roll-out began in spring 2016 and required all command & healthcare teams to be trained by May 31, 2016. Army Medicine is on track to implement this overhaul of the medical readiness (MR) system by

Oct. 1, 2016, with many changes ready for the O-3 level commanders (CDRs) (and above) beginning June 1, 2016. The Commander Portal, an innovative, mandatory tool for commanders and healthcare personnel, consolidates data into a portal that enables commanders to proactively intervene on individual and unit health readiness issues.

In addition to leading the development of the new Commander Portal the new e-Profile system captures all of a Soldiers’ deployment limiting conditions onto one form to ensure complete review of their capabilities and limitations.

The new Commander Portal gives commanders a robust system to manage deficient individual medical readiness (IMR) issues, make deployability determinations, and when needed, communicate with providers concerning issues with their Soldiers.

Why Are We Doing It? • Ultimately, these changes will save CDRs significant amounts of time, energy, and effort by providing a one-stop, user-friendly shop to view unit and individual medical readiness (IMR) levels to determine which Soldiers are deployable.

This heightened visibility will help improve overall readiness.

• Army Senior Leaders are utilizing medical readiness as the strategic lever to change the culture of readiness in the Army. With a heightened focus on deployability balanced with ensuring world-class medical care for injured Soldiers, Army is changing terminology from “availability” to “deployability.” BACKGROUND: during the Aug 2015 Strategic Readiness Update (SRU), the Vice Chief of Staff (VCSA) of the Army directed the need to: » Prevent permanent retention of nondeployable Soldiers; this adversely im-

pacts unit readiness. » Ensure the new IT systems and policies are implemented by the end of 2nd quarter FY 16 in order to train the force by 31 May 2016.

What continued efforts have been planned for the future?

Full operating capability launch is October 1, 2016. This will include additional IT system functionality and the Senior Commanders portal. Also, new access portals for providers, provider support staff, and administrative staff. Among other planned features, it will also include an electronic DOD Periodic Health Assessment into the Medical Health Assessment application, as well as more robust reporting capabilities.

Provided by Army Medicine Tuesday, May 31, 2016 https://www.army.mil/standto/2016-05-31

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WHAT’S NEXT? Senior Commanders Portal The OTSG is working on FRAGO 6, which will go out to the entire Army, explaining the roles definitions and levels of access that the Senior Commanders, appointed designee and support staff will have. However, Senior commanders, their appointed designee, and senior enlisted have to register and complete the JKO Personal Readiness course (DHA-US062) prior to the 01 Oct 16 roll-out date. Click on “Defense Health Agency on JKO” link and login using your CAC, at the top click the tab “Course Catalog”, then at the drop down select “DHA”, then type “US062/US063”, then click the “Search” The Senior Commanders Portal Home Page provides the following features: • Overall Unit Readiness: A consolidated view of the command’s medical readiness and enables commanders to project out to future dates IOT proactively manage Unit Readiness.

• Direct Report Unit Overview: Provides a consolidated view of the medical readiness of subordinate units, the number of Soldiers on profile by unit, unviewed profiles, % deployable (medical), the number of Soldiers pending deployability decisions, and the number of Medically Non-Ready Soldier that the Company Commander has converted to deployable. Senior Commander is able to drill down and see what the Company Commander sees.

• Manage Profiles: A snapshot of the number of Soldiers across

the command on profile, profiles still need to be reviewed, and number of profiles that have reach the Senior Command Level (Bn = 120, Bde, 180, GO Level Cmd = 240). Allows for Senior Cdr to drill down to each Soldier.

• Deployability Summary: Provides the number of Soldiers that are deployable, not able to deploy for medical reasons, and those pending deployability decision.

• Manage Profile DRU View: Enables Senior Commanders to view those Soldiers from the Manage Profile panel that have been on temporary profile long enough that the duration has reached that Senior Command Level.

• Messages: Senior Commander is able to view messages in the Company Commander module but is not able to respond to them.

•Resources: Provides links to unit Medical Readiness Assessment Tool (MRAT) and Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Dashboard.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, REGULATORY GUIDANCE AND FAQ PLEASE GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK:

HTTPS://ATN.ARMY.MIL/ DSP_TEMPLATE.ASPX?DPID=603 MORE MEDICAL READINESS CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

PROFILES: KEY THINGS TO KNOW

HAVE YOU COMPLETED THE COMMANDERS PORTAL TRAINING? DO YOU NEED A REFRESHER CLASS OR SOME PRACTICE?

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LIVE IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT…

TOBACCO-FREE! ALVINA BEY THORNTON, R.N. Chief, Health Promotion Kenner Army Health Clinic There’s very little information about health and wellness, healthy lifestyles or improving our health that we haven’t heard at some time in our lives. In fact, kids who cannot read or are not yet in school can tell you why some things, like smoking, are not good for you. What we know about each of us is that we each have an expiration date. We may not know exactly when that is, but we are not immortal, at least not yet.

SO, WHY IS IT HARD TO CHANGE BEHAVIORS? “Even if it kills me.” “We’re all gonna die from something.” We sometimes hear responses like this when we talk about changing behaviors, especially risky health behaviors like tobacco use. It’s not that we don’t know it’s that we don’t do anything with what we know. Move your feet! Do something! Changing the way we do things that have become a part of our routine, our lifestyle, our norm begins with a thought.

“I want to stop smoking that first cigarette as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning; I need to eat fewer calories and exercise more every day;” “I am going to change my sleep habits and get more than 4 hours of sleep every night.” The truth is people don’t change until they’re ready to change, even if what they are doing might kill them! Until we make the commitment and act on the decision to change, it becomes common place to continually talk about trying to change.

But without commitment to act on the thought, trying becomes a noisy way of doing nothing.

The decisions and adjustments that we make today about

unhealthy lifestyles and high risk health behaviors often determine what our future holds. Too often we delay quitting or making a change until the body says, “Enough” and some preventable disease or condition manifests itself in a way that changes our lives forever. Tobacco use often creates that kind of life changing situation…cancer, pulmonary diseases, heart disease and stroke, frequent asthma attacks triggered by secondhand smoke just to name a few. Sometimes we really don’t understand how to put what we know into practice; how to apply what we know in a way that works for us.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH LITERACY IN CHANGING HIGH RISK BEHAVIORS Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.

An individual’s health literacy is affected by several factors that also influence their ability to navigate the healthcare system and engage in self-care and chronic disease management. An overload of health information can be overwhelming when it is not presented in a way that is meaningful and useful to the individual. That’s why you may hear healthcare providers and health educators emphasize the need to “meet people where they are.” The value of the information may be determined by its usefulness toward the desired outcome or change in individual behavior.

SO YOU THINK YOU WANT TO QUIT? WELL, WE WANT TO KNOW WHY! Some people would say “that’s

a stupid question”. Maybe it is obvious, but understanding why some people choose to quit helps us find innovative ways to support others in their process.

Fort Lee has maintained one of the lowest tobacco use rates in the region. While the rest of the nation continues movement toward lower tobacco rates, Fort Lee has kept its rates even lower than the national rates…until now! Tobacco use rates for Active Duty Soldiers at Fort Lee are starting to rise. Not only do we want to know why, we want to know how to change that trend and regain momentum toward reducing the impact of tobacco use on the health and readiness of the force and the Army Family.

Let’s start with a check of your tobacco/tobacco-free living IQ. It’s not trivia when you know the facts. Join the “Countdown to Quit” from now until the Great American Smokeout on November 17th. Each week beginning October 3rd, we’ll post five (5) new questions about tobacco and tobacco free living on Kenner Army Health Clinic Face Book Page and Internet Home Page and in the Fort Lee Traveler. Submit your responses by Friday that same week to: Alvina Bey Thornton, R.N., Chief Health Promotion Kenner Army Health Clinic 804-734-9304 Alvina.b.thornton.civ@mail.mil Join Kenner Army Health Clinic, Preventive Medicine, Health Promotion as we continue the transformation to tobacco-free living and a healthier future. It’s not just about active smoking or tobacco use. When one person uses tobacco it affects all of us one way or another. So let’s do it together…One Force, one Family, one step at a time. Call for more information.

What’s your Tobacco/Tobacco-Free IQ? WEEK 1 1. What is the addictive ingredient in tobacco? o Ammonia o Nicotine o Tar o Ethanol 2. Which of the following tobacco product is the safest to use? o Cigars o Spit tobacco o Cigarettes o Snuff o No tobacco product is safe to use 3. How many people die each year from tobacco use? o 1 million o 100,000 o 220,000 o 430,000 4. Which single event caused more cigarette addiction than any other? o The American Revolution o World War II o The invention of the automobile o World War I 5. 48% of current smokers wish they could quit, but feel they can’t. This is an example of which criteria of addiction? o Withdrawal o Loss of control o Tolerance o Preoccupation o Continuation despite adverse consequences

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NUTRITION, HYDRATION AND MEDICAL READINESS PERFORMANCE TRIAD NUTRITION: EAT RIGHT AND GET RESULTS Fueling with the right amount of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Healthy Fats promotes energy, endurance, stamina, and muscle growth. Benefits of proper fueling include: • Maintaining a healthy weight.

• Decreased post-exercise muscle soreness.

• Stronger and healthier bones and muscles.

Plan your meals like you plan your workouts! A plan for eating and hydrating before, during, and after physical training is essential.

Pre-PT: Don’t start your workout on an empty tank!

• Eat a snack or small meal 2-4 hours before exercise.

• Drink 2-3 cups of water approximately 2-3 hours prior to exercise.

• Early morning workouts can be fueled with 8-16 ounces of sports beverage, fruit, yogurt, or other light snack.

During: Finish the workout as hard as you started!

Most people don’t need anything other than water during exercise lasting less than 1 hour.

For sessions lasting 60-90 minutes or more: • Starting at the 20-minute mark, consume 10-20 grams of carbohydrate (fruit, sports drink, commercial sports bar or granola bar, gel shot, etc.) every 20 minutes.

• Use a sports drink (containing sodium and carbohydrate) as your fuel and fluid.

• Energy drinks are not the same as sports drinks and should never be used for hydration.

Post-PT: Don’t waste your physical activity!!

• Timing is crucial for optimum growth and recovery from your workout.

• Refuel and rehydrate within 30-60 minutes after strenuous activity.

• Eat a mixed fuel of carbohydrate and protein.

• Great post-activity muscle recovery and energy boosters include: low-fat chocolate milk, 100% fruit juice (8 oz.), whole-grain bread peanut butter and banana, low-fat yogurt plus fruit, or a commercial protein-containing sports bar.

You can’t “out exercise” a poor diet. Follow this guidance...EVERY MEAL, EVERY DAY!

• Fruits and vegetables are loaded with carbohydrates, natural antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that enhance recovery and support your immune system.

• Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for your muscles (especially after high-intensity activities) and the only fuel source for your brain (helps you focus). Whole food carbs such as sweet potatoes, white potatoes, beans, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains such as oats, barley, brown rice, provide more fiber and nutrients than processed grains.

• Lean proteins provide the amino acids your muscles need to grow, repair, and recovery. Sources: skinless poultry, fish, lean beef, and pork; low-fat milk and yogurt; legumes (beans) eggs, and tofu. Nuts and seeds also provide some protein and healthy fats.

• Healthy Fats - Unsaturated fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids, can be healthy when eaten in small amounts. Sources: salmon, tuna, walnuts, olives, flax, and avocados.

Your plate should be proportioned like the plate seen here... EVERY MEAL, EVERY DAY! Portion sizes and snacks will vary based on your energy needs and training goals.

EATING IN THE DINING FACILITY (DFAC): GO FOR GREEN There is a new food identification system that lets you find food to advance your performance while eating in the DFAC. Look for the green, yellow, and red labels at the DFAC and pick foods identified as green and yellow while limiting those that are red.

High performance foods: • Premium fuel for the Soldier Athlete • Fresh and flavorful • Nutrient dense • Go for Green: Choose frequently Moderate performance foods: • Higher in calories • Lower in vitamins and minerals • Use Caution: Select less frequently Performance-limiting foods: • Highest in calories • Lowest in vitamins and minerals • Warning: Limit intake

HYDRATION LOSS OF WATER = LOSS OF PERFORMANCE It doesn’t take much water loss for your performance to suffer. With only 5% body weight of water, your speed and concentration are reduced. It doesn’t matter how fit you are, what your body composition is, or how old you are, you can easily become dehydrated. It can happen quickly when you are physically active, especially in extreme climates.

Weight loss is used to measure water loss. The weight you lose over a period of several hours of physical activity is the body water you have lost in the form of sweat. In a 150-pound person, a 1.5 pound weight loss would be a loss of 1% of body weight and about 3 cups of sweat.

To avoid dehydration that can harm your performance and health, you might have to make yourself drink when you are not thirsty.

Follow these steps to prevent dehydration: Make water your first choice of fluids • Cool plain water is the best performance fluid replacer for any physical activity that last less than 90 minutes.

• Water is always BETTER than soda, energy drinks, coffee, beer or full-strength fruit juice, and EQUAL to sports drinks for replacing the fluid you lose.

Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.

• By the time you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated.

• Drink beyond your feeling of thirst. If you stop drinking when your thirst is satisfied, you have replaced only about two-thirds of the water you have lost.

• Sip frequently rather than gulp all at once; drinking small amounts of fluids at a time is more effective than large amounts only occasionally.

Monitor fluid loss • Monitor urine color – when you are hydrated, urine is clear or pale yellow. It is dark yellow or brown when you are dehydrated.

• Weigh yourself before and after activity to see how much water you have lost. Drink 2-3 cups for every pound you lose during physical activity.

Drink regularly and frequently. Drink at least 8-10 cups of water a day at regular intervals. In extreme climates

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you will need even more water to prevent dehydration.

Drink before, during, and after activity.

Get into the habit of drinking regularly and frequently all day. Use these guidelines: Before: • Drink a minimum of 2 - 3 cups of water approximately 2 - 3 hours before physical activity.

During: • Most people don’t need anything other than water during exercise lasting less than 1 hour.

• For sessions lasting 60 - 90 minutes or longer, drink 1/2 to 1 cup of water every 15 - 20 minutes.

• Sports drinks may help you sustain your pace and replace lost glycogen and electrolytes.

• If you are sweating profusely, consume fluids at the rate lost (not to exceed 1.5 liters or 1 1/2 canteens per hour) or as much as you can tolerate.

After: • Drink 2 - 3 cups of fluid for every

pound lost during activity. As indicated above, drinking small amounts of fluid at a time is more effective than large amounts occasionally.

• Drink until urine is clear or light yellow.

• Avoid alcohol as a fluid replacement. If you do drink beer after activity, drink 1 - 2 cups of water or diluted juice at the same time to counter the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

• Optimize glycogen refueling by consuming 50 - 100 grams of carbohydrate in your beverage or food within 30 minutes of exercise and every 2 - 4 hours thereafter. A complete balanced meal within 3 - 4 hours of activity will replace electrolytes.

When you are working continuously for longer than 60 - 90 minutes, especially in the heat, your glycogen levels start to dwindle if you are only drinking water. Sports drinks can have added performance benefits as they provide carbohydrates that help refuel glycogen stores and blood sugar levels. They also contain electrolytes like salt, which help you retain body water.

SPORTS DRINKS Alternatives to sports drinks: • Dilute any 100% fruit juice with an equal amount of water. Add 1/8 teaspoon salt per quart (four 8-oz cups).

This mix closely approximates the carbohydrate, sodium, and potassium of commercially available sports drinks.

• Mix 1/3 cup sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt per quart (four 8-oz cups) of water. Flavor with unsweetened beverage base.

ENERGY DRINKS Think before you drink - limit the consumption of energy drinks!

These drinks should not be used for hydration. They generally contain large quantities of caffeine, and may contain other ingredients, most of which do absolutely nothing to enhance health.

• Too much caffeine can aggravate dehydration and may lead to increased anxiety, upset stomach, shakiness, headaches, and sleep issues.

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TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE CAN SAVE LIVES

BY KATE J. RAY, NP Kenner Army Health Clinic In 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared the alarming statistic that the rate of suicide in Army Service Members was nearly double the civilian rate. In some states, including Virginia, Veteran suicides account for over 20% of the suicides in people over the age of 18.

This lead to the Army partnering with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to study the factors leading to Soldiers ending their own lives. The Army Study to Assess Risk and Resiliency in Service members (Army STARRS) is the largest military-based mental health study ever undertaken, and its continuously evolving pool of data is helping to shape our understanding of risk factors and motivations for suicide.

Risk factors for suicide in both civilian and military populations include: an existing diagnosis of depression or severe anxiety; recent behavioral health hospitalization; alcohol or substance abuse; chronic pain or a serious medical condition; experiencing a highly stressful life event; relationship conflicts; and bullying at work or among peers.

In addition, the Army STARRS showed that some military-specific risk factors, including being an enlisted Soldier, having a recent demotion, or having deployed, put Soldiers at higher risk for completing suicide. With these results, the Army is trying to improve its ability to identify high risk Soldiers and intervene to get them the care they need and save lives.

Many times, people who attempt suicide show warning signs that they are at immediate risk. Talking about wanting to kill themselves, buying a gun or hoarding medicine, talking about feeling trapped in an intolerable situation, withdrawing from friends and family, giving away their possessions, or distinct changes in typical mood or behavior, can all be indications that a person is at high risk of suicidal behavior.

Each year, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme “Connect. Communicate. Care’ is intended to highlight the importance of starting the conversation about suicide with high risk individuals in order to save lives.

Many times, it is difficult for individuals to determine their role is in helping to protect someone they feel is at high risk for suicide. Sometimes people fear the

individual may think they are over-reacting or there is concern that mentioning suicide may harm the relationship.

Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry. The goal is to get help immediately.

An easy to remember acronym for intervening with a suicidal patient is ACE: (A) Ask the person if he/she is thinking about suicide, (C) Care for that individual by expressing concern about him/her, and (E) Escort them to a behavioral health clinic or hospital emergency room for evaluation and intervention.

Do not leave the person alone.

For anyone interested in learning more about suicide prevention and intervention, consider attending an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program, offered at Fort Lee and installations around the nation. This free, two-day program is designed to help equip community members with more advanced skills for intervening in suicide. For more information or to get registered to attend at Fort Lee, contact Mr. Kurtis Cherry with Suicide Prevention at (804) 734-3415.

Additional suicide prevention information can be found at Kenner Army Health Clinic Department of Behavioral Health at (804)734-9143 and Military One Source at 1-800-342-9647.

For those seeking immediate help regarding suicidal thinking, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at-800-273-8255(TALK), or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

To learn more about the ongoing work of the Army STARRS program, visit http://starrs-ls.org

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EFFECTIVE SUICIDE PREVENTION REQUIRES EVERYONE IN THE UNIT TO BE AWARE OF THE RISK FACTORS FOR SUICIDE AND KNOW HOW TO RESPOND

A LEADER’S GUIDE TO SUICIDE PREVENTION WHAT TO DO It is best for mental health or medical professionals to assess and manage suicidal Soldiers, but there may be times when unit leaders or peers find themselves on the phone with a suicidal Soldier. In any situation, if a Soldier threatens suicide, take him very seriously. You may have very limited time and only one chance to intervene. The most important thing to do is take action.

By Phone: • Establish a helping relationship (get your foot in the door).

• Quickly express that you are glad the Soldier called.

• Immediately get the telephone number that he is calling from in case you are disconnected.

• Find out where the Soldier is located.

• Get as much information as possible about the Soldier’s plans, access to means of self-harm, and intent.

• Listen and do not give advice.

• Keep the Soldier talking as long as possible until help can reach him but avoid topics that agitate him (i.e., his unfair supervisor, cheating spouse, etc.).

• Follow up and ensure the Soldier is evaluated.

In Person: • Find out what is going on with the Soldier.

• Use open-ended questions such as: “How are things going?” or “How are you dealing with…?”

• Share concern for his well-being.

• Be honest and direct.

• Listen to words and emotions.

• Repeat what he says using his words.

• Ask directly about his intent, i.e., “Are you thinking about suicide?”

This will not put new ideas in his head.

• Keep the Soldier safe—DO NOT leave him alone; have a capable Soldier with him at ALL times. Take steps to remove potential means of self-harm including firearms, pills, knives, and ropes.

• Involve security if the Soldier is agitated or combative. The command should escort the Soldier to the military treatment facility (MTF) or civilian emergency room (ER) if the MTF is unavailable.

• Follow up and verify that the Soldier was evaluated.

• If psychiatric hospitalization is required, talk to the MTF staff about what assistance is needed (e.g., arranging for necessary belongings, child care, or pet care).

• Monitor the Soldier until you are convinced the Soldier is no longer at risk.

• The Soldier may be so intent on suicide that he becomes danger-

ous to those attempting to help him. Talk to a mental health provider for advice on whether to call an ambulance or transport him yourself.

If the advice is to transport him in your vehicle, a person must sit at each door to prevent the suicidal Soldier from exiting the moving vehicle. Have your appointed contact person give the mental health provider the unit commander’s telephone number for feedback following the evaluation. During duty hours, contact your MTF. After duty hours, contact the post or civilian ER. Mental health evaluations must be conducted in a location where medical support and security are available. If there is not an ER on post, the MTF duty crew will handle suicide risk assessments using the local community medical or mental health facilities.

WHAT TO AVOID Leaders should let their Soldiers know they are safe and in good hands if they ask for help.

• Do NOT minimize the problem. Do NOT ask, “Is that all?”

• Do NOT overreact to the problem.

• Do NOT create a stigma about seeking mental health treatment.

• Do NOT give simplistic advice such as, “All you have to do is…”

• Do NOT tell the Soldier to “suck it up,” or “get over it.”

• Do NOT make the problem a source of unit gossip. Involve others on a need-to-know basis.

• Do NOT delay a necessary referral.

PROTECTING OUR SOLDIERS Leaders have the power and responsibility to protect their Soldiers on and off the battlefield. This includes recognizing uncharacteristic and suicidal behaviors.

Effective suicide prevention requires everyone in the unit to be aware of the risk factors for suicide and know how to respond. Commanders, noncommissioned officers (NCOs), and supervisors must lead the way.

If a Soldier seems suicidal, the time to take action is NOW. Talk to the Soldier before it is too late.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: WARNING SIGNS Distress can lead to the development of unhealthy behaviors. People closest to the Soldier (fellow Soldiers, family, friends) are in the best position to recognize changes due to distress and to provide support.

Look For: • Comments that suggest thoughts or plans of suicide.

• Rehearsal of suicidal acts.

• Giving away possessions.

• Obsession with death, dying, etc.

• Uncharacteristic behaviors (e.g., reckless driving, excessive drinking, stealing).

• Significant change in performance.

• Appearing overwhelmed by recent stressor(s).

• Depressed mood; hopelessness.

• Withdrawal from social activities.

TROUBLESHOOTING Possible Scenarios: • The Soldier refuses voluntary evaluation for suicide risk: Contact your local MTF for advice. In general, consent is not required to transport the suicidal Soldier to the MTF or ER. • The Soldier is found to be at some risk but not hospitalized: Work with the medical staff on the best course of action. Upon return to the command, the medical staff should: » Communicate the current level of risk. » Recommend protective measures and monitoring, if any. » Provide administrative recommendations (duty status, suit ability, separation, and retention). » Schedule medical follow-up appointments.

• Treatment is offered, but the Soldier refuses treatment: Soldiers not at imminent risk cannot be mandated to receive medical or mental health treatment. Leaders and mental health providers must collaborate to maximize the Soldier’s safety. Upon return to the command, the medical staff should: » Communicate the current level of risk. » Provide advice on protective measures and monitoring, if any. » Recommend any administrative restrictions (duty status, separation/retention). » Schedule medical follow-up appointments. » Provide a course of action if the Soldier’s risk of self-harm increases or does not improve.

• The Soldier is treated but is not getting better: Work closely with the medical staff on the best course of action. Medical staff may: » Have other treatment approaches available (different medications or therapies). » Recommend changing the Soldier to limited duty status to receive additional treatment. » Recommend administrative actions or medical retirement in cases where long-term improvement is unlikely with any reasonable treatment.

As a leader, you have the power to make a difference, to save a life, and to set a positive example.

THE P3T PROGRAM Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training Program is Fort Lee’s fitness program for pregnant and postpartum Soldiers The Army Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training Program is a specialized Army physical training and education program developed with Soldier-moms in mind. The P3T Program is designed in accordance with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines, and safely addresses the specific fitness needs of Soldiers during pregnancy and postpartum.

Enrollment and participation in the P3T Program is mandatory for eligible Soldiers required to go to unit PT, once clearance has been given by their healthcare provider.

A daily exercise session focuses on the components of fitness using a variety of activities that can be adjusted to the fitness level appropriate for the individual Soldier. Consistent participation in P3T helps pregnant Soldiers make the transition from a combined 15-month pregnancy/postpartum profile to successful

reintegration into unit physical training, achieving physical fitness and weight standards and remaining in the Army.

Without a standardized installation P3T program, pregnant Soldiers have no exercises guidance and are left to train on their own, which perpetuates unit and individual readiness issues. Currently programs exist both in the continental United States and overseas. There are also P3T Program materials for Reserve Component Soldiers and Soldiers assigned in geographically remote locations.

In July 2008, the Army’s deputy chief of staff for operations (G-3) issued an Armywide message assigning responsibilities for the P3T program—a significant step in Army-wide program implementation.

Local program execution is a partnership between senior mission commanders as the functional proponents, the medical

treatment facility for medical oversight and education, and the garrison for adequate facilities and equipment. U.S. Army Medical Command is responsible for policy and doctrine, and the senior commander is responsible for local execution.

The program isn’t just about PT and keeping in shape; it is also about helping expectant mothers prepare for the new child. Weekly educational classes led by subject-matter experts cover a wide range of topics including nutrition, basic child care, daycare choices, infant dental care and postpartum birth control.

The P3T program serves an additional function of promoting comradery among the pregnant and postpartum Soldiers.

To enroll in the P3T program, pregnant or postpartum Soldiers should first seek the counsel of their Unit Commander, who will provide them with contact information for the P3T program or pregnant and postpartum Soldiers can contact the Program Manager MSG Yolanda Vaughters at (804) 765-1018 or one of the Instillation Instructor Trainers, SFC David Franklin at (804) 734-6498 or SFC Maricruz Brannon at (804) 765-1866.

In addition, Soldiers may report to MacLaughlin Fitness Center at 6:20 a.m.

Monday through Friday, except for holidays, for enrollment.

– Acknowledgement for article content to Lisa J. Young MS, MCHES, Health Education Specialist, P3T Coordinator, Health Promotion and Wellness Directorate.

Women’s Health key to medical readiness Today, women make up nearly 15% of our active duty Army and they serve in 93% of all Army occupations. Increasing service opportunities for women have been accompanied by an increased need for health-related resources and support specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of our female service members.

Together, the US Army Public Health Command and Army Medicine are continually seeking ways to raise awareness, educate, and empower women to make their health a top priority and encourage them to take steps to improve their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

The newest initiative is the development of the Women’s Health Portal, available at https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/ healthyliving/wh/Pages/default.aspx. The new portal will provide service members, leaders and healthcare provider’s access to information and tools that facilitate readiness and gynecologic care in both

the deployed and garrison settings.

Topics on the Portal include: Breastfeeding Resources • Breastfeeding and lactation support policies/guidance, communication resources, TRICARE resources, and World Breastfeeding Week Deployment Health for Women • Questions to ask, Recommended routine health screenings, and Deployment support Pregnancy • Maternity leave policy, Nutrition, Uniforms, Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training, Zika Virus Updates, Postpartum Care, and The “Purple Book” Family Planning • Contraceptive Options and Fertility Reproductive Health

FIND OUT MORE: HTTPS://PHC.AMEDD.ARMY.MIL/TOPICS/HEALTHYLIVING/WH/PAGES/DEFAULT.ASPX • Health Screenings, Menstruation, STIs, Common ailments, and Menopause What’s New in Women’s Health?

• Hot Topics in Women’s Health Self-Care Charts • Algorithms that can assist in manag-

ing minor ailments For more information about Women’s Health services at Kenner Army Health Clinic, please contact the Kenner Appointment Line to make an appointment with one of our provides in the Well Woman Clinic at 1-866-LEE-KAHC.

www.fortleetraveller.com | September 29, 2016 | HEALTH CARE | 13

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Medical Readiness and the Flu The Army estimates it will use approximately 1.6 million doses of the injectable influenza vaccine (i.e., flu shot) to keep both active duty and reserve Soldiers, civilian staff, and family members healthy during the upcoming flu season.

For the 2016-2017 flu seasons, only injectable flu shots will be provided to Soldiers, DOD civilians, family members

and retirees. No live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), known as Flu Mist, will be offered based on effectiveness recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Kenner’s flu shot supplies are expected to start arriving late September to early October.

In the meanwhile, KAHC high-

ly discourages service members from receiving vaccines at outside facilities as this will potentially affect Fort Lee’s readiness numbers due to a delay in reporting to MEDPROS. In addition aservicemembers should not receive Flu Mist at retail pharmacies since TRICARE will not reimburse the purchase.

Organizational leaders should ensure their units are scheduling clinics with KAHC’s Preventive Medicine team, by contacting Capt. Leonna Ameduite at (804) 734-9891.

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DENTAL READINESS AND WELLNESS

BY COL. LARRY ROTHFUSS, Bull Dental Clinic Dental problems may impair a Soldier’s ability to function on the battlefield or in garrison. Consequently the lack of dental readiness may negatively affect a service member’s ability to complete a mission.

Something as unassuming as a toothache, resulting from an untreated cavity, can worsen into a significant inconvenience for the patient and his/her unit. Obtaining annual dental exams and necessary dental care can help avoid dental emergencies and improve readiness in addition to the dental wellness of units.

The current oral health status of military personnel is classified as the following: DENTAL CLASS 1: Indicates patients with a current dental exam (within one year) who do not require dental treatment or reevaluation. These patients are worldwide deployable.

DENTAL CLASS 2: Patients with a current dental exam, who require non-urgent dental treatment or re-evaluation for oral conditions which are unlikely to result in a dental emergency within 12 months. Examples of non-urgent dental treatment are minor defective restorations and dental decay, as well as needed cleanings. Class 2 patients are worldwide deployable.

DENTAL CLASS 3: Patients who require urgent or emergent dental care. Class 3 patients are not worldwide deployable.

These patients might require treatment for large dental decay, tooth fracture involving pain, defective restorations that cannot be maintained by the patient and chronic oral infections associated with wisdom teeth.

DENTAL CLASS 4: Patients who require an annual dental exam or those with unknown dental classifications. These patients are not worldwide deployable.

The Colonel Bull Dental Clinic is located at 2601 C Ave., Bldg. 8204 with operating hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sick Call hours 7:30-9:30 a.m., Monday –Friday. Permanent Party exams are scheduled in coordination with dental cleanings by appointment. For additional information, call the clinic at (804) 734-9607 or 734-9608.

The Mosier Dental Clinic is located at 300 Central Ave., Bldg. 18036 on the Ordnance Campus. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sick Call hours are from 7:40 – 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 14:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Permanent Party exams are scheduled with dental cleaning appointments. Dental Fitness Class 4 patients may walk-in for exams during Sick Call hours. For additional information, call (804) 734-5365 or 734-5454.

influenza vaccination. In most cases, according to the CDC, the risks of getting vaccinated are significantly lower than the benefits. By getting vaccinated, each person can keep their loved ones safe. Getting vaccinated protects others who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, such as older adults, people with chronic health conditions and young children – especially infants younger than six months old who are too young to get vaccinated.

Also vaccination has shown to make the flu milder, which may reduce the risk of more serious

We care what you think

BY CPT ROBERT JEPSEN, JOES Champion, Kenner Army Health Clinic A new beneficiary feedback and evaluation system called the Joint Outpatient Experience Survey or JOES replaced the Army Provider Level Satisfaction Survey (APLSS). You may have seen the new signs posted throughout Kenner Army Health Clinic (KAHC) promoting the new survey.

Prior to the release of JOES, each branch of the service had their own survey, which made it difficult to accurately measure patient satisfaction and experiences. JOES standardizes information collection methods used by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Defense Health Agency/National Capital Region and combines them into one survey format; providing for better comparisons across the services.

Results from the surveys will be used to learn about beneficiary health care experiences with the goal of making them better.

The Defense Health Agency believes the new survey will have considerable impact on how the MHS delivers health care. Whichever health care system service members, retirees, and their families go to, they will receive the same questionnaire and be able to relate their experience. Patients

flu outcomes such as hospitalizations.

Fort Lee’s goal is to immunize with flu shots at least 90 percent of service members and health care professionals by Dec. 15, 2016.

KAHC has plans to offer late clinics for both pediatric patient and family members. KAHC will provide updates as it receives them on the flu vaccine availability For more information, please visit the KAHC website at http://kennernarmc.amedd. army.mil/Site/Pages/home. aspx or visit Kenner’s Facebook page at kenner.ftlee

should receive a JOES survey within approximately 72 hours after their appointment. The survey can either be completed electronically or submitted by mail. The survey only takes about five minutes to complete and should be submitted within 30 days of the appointment. Another change to the JOES is that patients will no longer receive a survey every time they visit the clinic. Patients will only receive one survey every 90 days, making every survey response important.

“As a beneficiary, we want to hear from you, and encourage all our patients to complete and return the surveys. The survey can have a considerable impact on how the MHS delivers health care,” said Trudy Corbett, Patient Advocate at KAHC. KAHC receives additional funding when overall patient satisfaction exceeds 95 percent.

“That funding is invested in new equipment, staff and services which enhance patient visits and improve their care,” Mrs. Corbett said.

Share your voice and be heard, complete your survey and help improve Kenner Army Health Clinic services.

www.fortleetraveller.com | September 29, 2016 | HEALTH CARE | 15

Re-Think • Re-Set • Re-New With the Performance Triad

TABLE 1

DAILY ALLOWANCE FOR OILS You can jump start your health by making the three components of the Performance Triad a priority. It’s not new information but a new attitude about the triad can change or eliminate certain high risk health behaviors and improve the overall state of wellness for you and your entire family! Try using the three focus areas and the recommended targets for each: • SLEEP: 7-8 hours every night.

• ACTIVITY: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (e.g., brisk walking) per week for Adults; 2 days of muscle strengthening activities per week (e.g., weight/resistance band training, calisthenics, yoga); or 10,000 steps as part of a daily routine.

• NUTRITION: “My Plate” is a great guide to improve eating and nutrition across all age groups. What you eat is important but serving sizes and portions can be just as important! » Fruits and vegetables – ½ your plate » Whole grains – ¼ your plate » Lean proteins (such as skinless poultry, lean beef, low-fat milk and yogurt) – ½ your plate » Oils/Healthy Fats (See Table 1. Unsaturated fats can be found in olives, walnuts, avocados).

» Dairy – Daily amount depends on your age (See Table 2).

It’s all about resiliency! Your health is very important to you, your family and the Army community. Take time to invest in your health. The Performance Triad is a comprehensive plan to improve readiness and increase resilience through public health initiatives and leadership engagement. The Triad is the foundation for Army Medicine’s transformation to a System for Health.

Consider using apps, devices and websites that promote the Performance Triad to help with your quest for the best performance.

• H.E.A.L.T.H. Application is an app that you and your family can use. It’s based on the Army Physical Fitness test standards and gives you personalized performance plans.

• Personal Fitness Devices can help monitor your sleep, nutrition, and activity.

• Army Fit is a website designed as part of CSF2 to support you (and your family) by providing health and wellness information.

We also recommend the Fort Lee Community Resource Guide, http://www. lee.army.mil/crg/community. resource.guide.aspx

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16 | HEALTH CARE | September 29, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

THE BENEFITS OF USING TRICARE ONLINE

BY HEATHER KELLEY, Supervisor, Patient Appointment Center, Kenner Army Health Clinic TRICARE Online (TOL) is the Military Health System’s patient portal for internet access to available healthcare services.

TOL provides secure access to online features for DoD beneficiaries receiving care through a military hospital or clinic. The TOL multifunctional website allows beneficiaries to:

• Make, change, cancel, and review appointments for yourself or your authorized family members, 24/7 • Receive email and text message appointment reminders • Refill and check the status of your prescriptions at your military treatment facility • View, download, print, or share your personal health data from your military electronic health record via the Blue Button

Army Secure Messaging and Medical Readiness To assist Soldiers in ensuring they are medical ready, we recommend they sign up for Army Medicine Secure Messaging Service (AMSMS), powered by RelayHealth.

AMSMS brings your healthcare team to you, wherever you are, any time of day.

It allows you to communicate with your PCM through secure email about non-urgent healthcare matters, so your PCM or another care team member can respond during business hours.

Through AMSMS, you can contact your primary care manager (PCM)/PCM team to: • Ask questions and receive advice about non-urgent health concerns at your convenience • Request appointments and referrals, even when your doctor’s office is closed, so your clinic can respond and/ or schedule them during business hours • Renew medication prescriptions • Request laboratory and

other test results, with an explanation from your doctor or other care team member attached, when appropriate • Avoid unnecessary office visits and telephone calls • Access valuable, medically reviewed health education information about a full range of healthcare topics and access links to doctor-recommended information and sites Army Medicine Secure Messaging Service is a secure portal that is compliant with the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Encryption technology and a stringent privacy policy protect patient personal information more securely than either the telephone or regular email. Patient information is only accessible by patients and their healthcare team.

It’s easy to get started. Just visit the Active Duty Clinic at Kenner AHC, complete an account request form, verify your identity, and e-mail address with an Active Duty Clinic staff member.

• Access your Patient Centered Medical Home site to communicate with your health care team • Access to patient education materials • Transfer your MTF enrollment To use TOL, make an account using a DoD Common Access Card (CAC), DS Logon or a DFAS MyPay account. Both can be used at home for your convenience. Visit www.tricareonline.

com for simple, step by step instructions.

For more information on the service and support of Tricare Online (TOL), please con-

tact TOL customer service at 1-800-600-9332 or www.tricareonline.com. Both services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

After Hours Care contact the Nurse Advice Line Sometimes it is difficult to know if and when to seek medical help for acute health problems, so having professional help at a moment’s notice is invaluable. The Military Health System’s (MHS) Nurse Advice Line (NAL) for TRICARE beneficiaries does just that. The NAL is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for all TRICARE beneficiaries in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii by calling the NAL toll-free number at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273); option 1.

The NAL is a great service that provides access to care, especially after hours and when traveling. A team of registered nurses are available 24/7 to answer a variety of urgent healthcare questions, give health care advice, help you find a doctor and schedule next-day/ same-day appointments at military hospitals and clinics. They can help you decide whether self-care is the best option, or if it is better to see a healthcare provider. The NAL helps you access the right type of care at the right time.

The NAL offers a variety of solutions for all TRICARE beneficiaries. For pediatric issues, the NAL will route the beneficiary to a nurse with specialized pediatric training. If followup is necessary or requested, the NAL will call back the beneficiary after a few hours to check on the child’s status. If you still need an appointment the NAL will make same-day appointments with the beneficiary’s primary care manager (PCM) for TRICARE Prime beneficia-

ries who are enrolled to Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs). If a same day appointment is not available, the NAL will re-direct the beneficiary to the closest urgent care center, and advise the PCM that an urgent care referral is needed so the patient does not have to worry about paying any point of service co-pays. All other TRICARE beneficiaries who are not enrolled to a MTF will receive professional health advice about their urgent health concern and when to seek urgent care.

The NAL is an easy option for beneficiaries to get information on their medical problems quickly and at any time. To access the NAL dial 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273) and select option 1.

To get more information about the Nurse Advice Line visit TRICARE website at www.tricare.mil.

www.fortleetraveller.com | September 29, 2016 | HEALTH CARE | 17

Fort Lee Army Wellness Center Assists with Medical Readiness Have you had a chance to visit the Army Wellness Center at Fort Lee? If not, we hope this year’s supplement will give you plenty of reasons to stop by so we can assist you with achieving medical readiness!

The Army Wellness Center (AWC) provides several standardized primary prevention programs designed to promote and sustain healthy lifestyles. We offer six core programs: Health Assessment Review, Physical Fitness, Healthy Nutrition, Stress Management, General Wellness Education, and Tobacco Education.

Each of the six core programs ties into the Army’s Performance Triad of nutrition, physical activity and sleep. Body composition analysis, fitness testing, and health coaching are a few of the popular services offered. Additional services include: biofeedback, lung age testing, and resting metabolic rate assessments.

In other words, body composition is measured to assess risk of disease and used as a baseline to measure success. The fitness test provides optimal heart rate zones for fat burning, endurance training and serves as a marker for overall fitness.

Health coaching involves individualized sessions catered to meeting your goals.

Biofeedback sessions will educate individuals on several techniques to manage stress. Lung age testing is utilized for individuals seeking tobacco cessation.

The metabolic testing will provide recommended caloric intake for weight management. Utilizing the results from each of these assessments assists the Health Educator, a certified Exercise Physiologist through American College of Sports Medicine, in developing a plan to enhance your medical readiness.

If you are interested in discussing a spe-

cific diet or exercise regimen, our American College of Sports Medicine Certified Health Educators can provide you with coaching based on your individualized results and goals. Routine health coaching is highly recommended to ensure you accomplish your Health and Wellness goals.

Regardless of your fitness level, our Health Educators will create a SMART plan to assist you with meeting your goals.

The AWC also offers weekly classes to address each component of the Triad, such as Healthy Sleep Habits, Meals in Minutes, and Stress Management. If you are interested in any of the services, feel free to call 804-734-9925 or stop by in person to schedule your appointment, Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 4:30pm.

The AWC serves Service Members, Family Members, Retirees, and DOD Civilians.

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18 | HEALTH CARE | September 29, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

MEDICAL READINESS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY

BY ERIN E. JOHNSON, DPT, SP Chief of Orthopedics and Physical Therapy Kenner Army Health Clinic The term “readiness” can apply to a vast array of topics that can span from getting finances in order to getting a flu shot to going to the range. In the world of Physical Therapy or functional readiness, the term shifts to the focus of preventing problems in the body before they begin. Our role as Physical Therapists, serving both the Active Duty Clinic and the Family Medicine Clinic patient populations, is to make it so that an individual never needs to come in for a musculoskeletal injury in the first place. True, the occasional injuries occur that can’t be seen coming, but we want to make sure that our Soldiers and families have the information and resources to educate and train themselves well enough to prevent everything else. Over the past year, we’ve been proud of the changes the Ft. Lee community has seen in regards to taking an active approach with injury prevention and readiness.

The more you know about your body, how it moves,

and the “why” of common aches/pains/injuries, the more likely you are to be able to avoid the repetitive motions that create problems. This is the thought process that drives our daily patient care in the Kenner Physical Therapy clinic beyond simply rehabbing injuries that have already occurred. In addition, it is the thought that inspired the educational briefs given with ALU and QMS units. In a 90-minute interactive brief with a focus on leadership, NCOs and Officers are educated on the common movements we perform every day (including getting into and out of chairs, going up and down stairs, weight training, running form, and PRT/APFT movements) and how their bodies might be compensating already to put them at risk for overuse injuries down the road. These are the same issues we see in and out of the military with poor lifting form, long commutes, work sitting at a desk all day, smartphone texting culture, and more sedentary lifestyles. The Soldiers educated can then pass the information back to their unit in a train-thetrainer capacity to disseminate across the formations. In addition to getting information to our capable NCOs and empowering them with what right looks like, this format

also gives Master Fitness Trainers a more active role as they serve as the instructors for the QMS course and are able to add in tips from their comprehensive education as the physical training Subject Matter Experts.

The resources available for injury prevention across the installation spread much further than just with the Active Duty population and the programs of instruction mentioned however. On 25 July, MWR opened the Strength Performance Center (SPC) in the old Field House building equipped with 40,000 sq feet of space to house the latest in functional, cardio and adaptive fitness equipment. The facility also has a room dedicated for the use of their Wellbeats platform, a free virtual trainer kiosk that allows for over 235 training classes at the touch of a button. The SPC is open to the entire Ft. Lee community and will also be partnering with our clinic as well as unit Master Fitness Trainers to assist in proper utilization of equipment and development of training programs.

The most powerful tool any of us have when attempting to improve a facet of our lives is education. The more we learn about our own bodies, the way it was designed to operate, and the resources available around us to help ensure we can keep it operating properly, the closer we get to the confidence that we’ll be able to rehab quicker, avoid future injury, and improve our quality of life. The Physical Therapy Clinic at Kenner in conjunction with MWR and the other readiness powerhouses on the installation remain committed to finding new ways to offer that to the Fort Lee community.

MEDICAL READINESS MEDICAL READINESS ASSESSMENT TOOL (MRAT) – The Latest Army medical innovation to keep Soldiers ready for the fight!

The Medical Readiness Assessment Tool (MRAT) is a cloud-based, three-applications-in-one electronic decision support and screening tool that allows U.S. Army clinicians and non-clinician leaders to more proactively maintain Soldier readiness.

The primary objective of the MRAT is to provide timely holistic assessments and interventions to preserve unit readiness to at-risk Soldiers. Within the constraints of Health Insurance

Portability and Accountability Act and privacy rules, the MRAT provides leaders and clinicians a powerful tool for mitigating factors that threaten individual medical readiness.

The MRAT enables proactive identification and management of risk factors affecting health readiness using “big data” already in place. It provides monthly, rapidly-accessible, health readiness-related metric reports on Army units using a systematic format that does not

require local data management.

The MRAT improves leader insight on unit-level medical risk and enables clinicians to efficiently provide accurate individual-level readiness as-

sessments to commanders.

Commanders have direct access to the MRAT tool via the Commanders Portal.

The MRAT supports Army Medicine’s transformation from

a healthcare system to a system for health by identifying at-risk Soldiers earlier than previously feasible, improving evaluative quality, and enabling clinicians to better engage patients.

www.fortleetraveller.com | September 29, 2016 | HEALTH CARE | 19

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