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JBSA News
NEWS | Feb. 11, 2014

Air Force Inspection Agency conducts last Health Services Inspection

By Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

The completion of the 59th Medical Wing's Health Services Inspection Feb. 6 marked the final HSI in the Air Force.

First implemented in the Air Force 30 years ago, the HSI is an in-depth compliance-based inspection performed at AF medical units every three years. Its purpose is to assess medical processes used at each facility, ensuring they adhere to AF standards.

The HSI is completed over the course of three days during which the Air Force Inspection Agency team, based out of Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is charged with reviewing and assessing several functional areas including medical, dental, nursing, public health, bio-environmental engineering, mental health, education and training, administrative and executive.

As the HSI process phases out, the Unit Effectiveness Inspection (UEI) will be implemented in its place.

According to Air Force Inspection Agency Medical Operations Director Col. John Sell, the HSI assessed healthcare and administrative functional areas from a compliance perspective. The medical component of the UEI will focus on mission and patient effectiveness.

With a new name and slightly altered format, the overall goal of the inspection will be to ensure military treatment facilities provide safe and quality healthcare in an efficient, patient-focused, and professional manner.

"As the Air Force transitions to the UEI, one thing is certain-- patient safety is paramount and will always be a top priority," said Sell. "It's our goal to ensure patients are receiving the best, safest care possible."

The last HSI in the Air Force was completed with the 59th Medical Wing scoring an "Excellent" rating.