How Goes It LETTER, Feb 91

File: 110196_aacaa_01.txt
Page: 01
Total Pages: 5
1 Mar 91
         TO: CENTAF/SG
         SUBJECT: How Goes It LETTER, Feb 91
         FROM: 1620 TAWP/SG (41 ECS/5O TAS)
         1 Personnel at the 1620 TAWP Clinic include two flight surgeons
         (9356) three medical technicians (two 901XXs; one 902XX),
         two independent medical technicians (90270), one bioenvironmental
         engineering technician (90770), and one environmental health tech-
         nician (90870). A second IDMI arrived at this location In January,
         replacing one which left in November.  Experience at this clinic
         provided adequate coverage for outpatient problems (URls: tinea,
         warts, sinusitus) and have appropriately deferred more difficult
         problems to staff physcians.   Physicians are usually present in
     the clinic; however ,in their absence, IDMTs have served an important  
         triage function. Specifically, IDMIs have either Recalled a
         physician to the clinic for serious problems, or temporized a
         patient's complaint and provided a clinic return time.

         2 Patient diagnosis patterns reflect theater trends. Appro,
         irately 35% of patients seen in January and February presented with
         respiratory system complaints. Dermatological problems consulted
         of 11% and 6% presented as non-battle injuries. Non~battle injuries
         occupationally related minor lacerations (five sutures or less).
         Tbe initiation of the air and ground war did not generate any com
         bat related injuries or significant psychiatric illnesses.
         
        3 Gamma globulin immunizations continue to be given sporadi-
        cally to personnel not deployed with the initial deployment in
        August. Approximately 98% of base personnel have been immunized
        with gamma globulin and influenza . As of  mid-march,most
        members will be due for a gamma globulin booster. We are Inclined
        not to give this to members remaining at this site, especially Of
        redeployment to home station is imminent. All members redeploying
        to northern locations in the AOR will have shot records reviewed
        during outprocessing. Any required Td, IqG, typhoid, or yellow
        fever will be given at that time. 
        
        4.(u) The 1620 TAWP clinic currently has one assigned ambulance.
        A second ambulance was reassigned to a northern base. Efforts to
        obtain an off-base licence remain frustrated, and we are stll! un-
        able to take the remaining ambulance off-base. Patients requlr-
        ing outpatient medical care at off-base facilities are driven by
        the transportation squadron, or by host-nation  ambulance if
        required by their medical condition.
        
        5 Medical supply is provided by the 163 ATH At this stage of
        deployment, there are a few, but significant, supply problems.
        Specifically, we are well supplied in terms of most oral medlca-
        tion, intravenous solutions, and bandages. We never received
        supply of ciprofloxin blister packs nor anthrax vaccines Addl