The Gateway

On October 4th, the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps recognized the MC4 team for helping to transform business operations in theater by awarding MC4 a 2009 Army Acquisition Excellence Award. This business transformation award could not have been possible without deployed leadership championing change on the battlefield via the use of MC4 systems.

MC4 celebrates this recognition with all of you.

MC4 recently released two new computer-based training (CBT) modules—Theater Medical Data Store (TMDS) and Medical References. They provide users the flexibility of training on the fly, further augmenting the familiarization and new equipment training they receive prior to deployment.

Additionally, MC4 has three new quick reference guides (QRGs)—patient administration, pharmacy and radiology. These are pocket-sized reference booklets designed to provide tips and information on the TC2 (inpatient) system on MC4. Users can request copies of QRGs by completing an online request form.

While theater’s network infrastructure continues to improve with the spread of fiber optic cable, providers still experience difficulty using MC4 systems. Firewalls blocked at the local level and other network-related issues make system use more challenging than it should be.

MC4’s deployed technical support teams (TSTs) continue to work with Signal personnel in theater to navigate the paper trail and requirements maze for getting MC4 systems to continue operating on theater networks. This constant challenge significantly adds to the workload of MC4’s TSTs and local MC4 users. Moving forward, MC4 will take a different approach to overcome these network connectivity challenges and improve system use.

We’ll soon have a person leading MC4’s information assurance efforts in theater. This individual will work with the senior medical command and the chief information officer (G6) to direct the local DOIMs and S6 staff on the importance of network connectivity for MC4 systems.

In June, we spotlighted the 14th Combat Support Hospital’s (CSH) readiness efforts prior to deploying to Iraq. Their repeated inclusion of MC4 systems training in their exercise play, as well as command emphasis on the use of medical surveillance tools (JMeWS), has made them more self-sufficient in Iraq.

The 14th CSH has required less technical support from MC4 technical support teams and demonstrated greater use of the system compared to units who only received MC4 new equipment training.

It was interesting to see the stark contrast between units and further reinforces the need for a “train as you fight” mentality with MC4 systems. You can request MC4 training prior to your unit’s deployment by completing the form on the training section of the Web site.

In September, I completed a six-week trip throughout Iraq. I met with commanders, providers and systems support personnel to get their take on the use and support of MC4 in their treatment facilities.

I also spoke with providers and brigade surgeons representing more than 25 battalion aid stations or other level I facilities in Iraq. Every one of them said that their staff used MC4. Some locations didn’t have network connectivity to automatically transmit patient encounters, but they still captured the information via MC4.

This level of system use is a significant improvement over what I discovered during my trip to theater earlier this year. At that time, about 50 percent of the level I facilities used MC4 to document care. I believe the heightened use of the system is the result of local command emphasis and enforcement of the 2008 policy mandating the use of MC4.

I also gained a unique perspective on the true importance of charting at the lowest level of care. A physician assistant at a battalion aid station relayed to me that for every 100 Soldiers he treated at his level I, approximately 10 might be seen a level II facility for additional care. Of the 10 seen at a level II, about two receive follow-on care at a level III facility. Thus, most of the lasting injuries are first treated at the first level of care, reinforcing the importance of digitally and accurately charting injuries at level I.

Soldiers, such as Master Sgt. Wynton Hodges, continue to benefit from this documentation. When they return to the states and require follow-on care, as well as apply for VA medical benefits, they have the necessary data.