PHA--100 percent green is the goal!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lausanne Morgan
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The preventive health assessment clinic at RAF Lakenheath implemented new procedures recently intended to increase productivity and more efficient customer service.

Finding themselves consistently falling behind on assessments, Airmen realized a change was needed. That change came in January 2010 when a PHA cell working group was appointed and a local business guide was developed.
After implementation of new policies, 596 PHA reviews were completed within a seven-day period and the PHA cell was back on track.

The PHA's are yearly reviews given to military members to ensure they are medically ready to deploy.

The PHA local business guide includes information on the roles and responsibilities of the members in the PHA cell, sustainment and surge plans, notification letters, appointment letters and a PHA appointment checklist.

"Having a great team of dedicated professionals makes life easy being an officer in charge," said Maj. George Onyenyeonwu, 48th MDG Senior Group Practice manager. "The team has worked diligently and continues to work above and beyond the call of duty in maximizing the health of all Airmen and ensuring fit fighters 24/7."

One of the changes the team made was creating a letter for patients one month before their PHA is due.

Upon receiving a notification letter, patients are prompted to complete a Web health assessment through the Air Force Portal. This assessment is designed to fit the specific needs of the individual by posing questions that provide feedback about health benefits, how to improve lifestyles and a checklist to be completed during their PHA appointment.

"We have set a goal within the 48th Medical Group PHA Cell to make sure all Airmen maintain a 100-percent green status at all times with their PHA," said Major Onyenyeonwu. "We encourage all Airmen to act immediately once they get their 11-month notification letter."

When patients are 'green', they are current and have completed their PHA within the past 12 months. Patients in 'yellow' status haven't had a PHA within 12 months. Patients in 'red' have not completed a PHA within 15 months.

In March 2010, 1,006 notifications were sent, and the amount of Airmen overdue on their PHAs decreased by 30 percent in one week.

"The collaborative efforts of our medical group staff and wing partners, the 48th Fighter Wing and 100th Air Refueling Wing, ensure Airmen remain fully medically mission capable at all times which maximizes health outcomes," said Lt. Col. Marcia Potter, 48th Medical Operations Squadron Family Heath Flight commander.

The PHA cell is actively working to reach and maintain their 100-percent green goal.

"The PHA Cell has come so far in the last six months. The notification process has truly streamlined our productivity and product," said Staff Sgt. Steven Oliver, 48th Medical Group assistant NCOIC of PHA. "The PHA Cell here is on its way to setting the standards for the Air Force to follow."