The Admiral Joel T. Boone Branch Medical Clinic at Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Little
Creek, VA has effectively used SAMS (SNAP Automated Medical System) to increase
fleet readiness and improve the accurate reporting of immunization data.The clinic
is being recognized for "Best Practices" because of their data entry process, control
of the medical record, teamwork within the immunizations and medical records departments,
and synergistic partnership with tenant commands.
Boone Branch Medical Clinic is the custodian of medical records for over twenty-eight
tenant commands at NAB Little Creek. Each of these tenant commands is set up in
SAMS as a separate entity, with the divisions within each tenant command being identified
by particular unit identification codes (UICs).The tenant commands send personnel
rosters monthly to Boone to ensure the database remains up to date for each UIC
within the SAMS. When new personnel check into a command, they also bring their
health record to Boone where their information is swiftly entered into SAMS.
The medical records department generates monthly reports from SAMS identifying individuals
who need specific immunizations or readiness issues addressed. >These reports
are sent to the Commanding Officer of each command notifying them of their percent
medical readiness. The medical liaisons at these commands then work closely with
Boone to correct discrepancies and ensure personnel get their needed immunizations.
The most difficult part of the process is keeping the data current in SAMS. However,
Boone is also the test site for the Composite Health Care System II (CHCS II).The
CHCS II immunization module ensures the most accurate data is maintained as this
system has the potential for inter-service and intra-site sharing of real time data.
CHCS II interfaces directly with the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System
(DEERS).CHCS II allows the immunizations department to generate a hard copy form
of the patient's encounter, which can be immediately placed in the health record.
Reports can also be produced at the end of the day detailing personnel and types
of immunizations given for the entire clinic. This daily report is then used to
populate data into SAMS, ensuring the maintenance of accurate data in the SAMS database.
By maintaining updated lists, the medical records and immunizations departments
are able to save substantial amounts of time in data entry into SAMS.
Boone Branch Medical Clinic has made SAMS work to increase medical readiness. Their
process is repeated monthly to maintain accurate reporting of data to DEERS.The
clinic staff is to be commended for their dedication to ensuring medical readiness
for the fleet.