Ac tion line 81104 - medical exercises Published Nov. 19, 2008 By Anonymous 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Complaint: I was wondering if I could acquire an explanation as to why the MDG has "no notice" exercises so frequently? My son has been rescheduled 3 times, just this week, and 2 were from the MDG, internal, no notice exercises and the other was for the base exercise. This is a tremendous inconvenience to all at Incirlik as we have to take time to get off work and pick our kids up just to be turned around at the desk with another appointment. I understand our need to stay ready at all times and no notice inspections are used as a tool to ensure we are ready however, to schedule 2 internal inspections the same week as the base exercise seems a bit much. Response: I can understand your frustration and we do regret the inconvenience. The Medical Group is working hard to strike a balance between patient care and exercises. Since we no longer "block' appointments for exercises, which, by the way, would lead to an unrealistic and compromised scenario, our providers are instructed to "TRIAGE" every patient whose appointment will be inconvenienced. We ask if the individual would like to wait, would like to reschedule for a time later that day or another day or if their condition is so significant that immediate help is needed. The individual makes the decision. This way, we learn how to respond to a real world event while simultaneously dealing with daily patient care needs. During the week you were scheduled, the Medical Group held a single internal exercise on Monday and then participated in the Wing's Exercise Week, reacting whenever called upon throughout the week. The initial exercise was deemed necessary by the Medical Group commander in anticipation of Wing exercise. This internal exercise confirmed several areas of opportunity for the Medical Group and has generated at least 5 changes to our internal processes. It further facilitated identification of other opportunities which otherwise would have been unobtainable without the internal exercise. Again, we understand the frustration with delays in care, and admit the inconvenience has been exaggerated by us not being practiced at striking the balance between patient care and exercises. As we get more experience, we will get better and better at striking that balance thus minimizing the inevitable inconveniences to our patients. In the long run, all will be better served with less inconvenience to our day to day activities and a more effective and adaptive initial medical response to whatever disaster befalls us.