Branch Health Clinic San Clemente corpsmen maintain professionalism
8/4/2010
by MC1 Anastasia Puscian
Naval Medical Center San Diego Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Located 64 miles north of San Diego, Branch Health Clinic (BHC) San Clemente is the only medical and emergency service available on the 22 mile long island.

With no medical officer assigned to the facility, BHC San Clemente is unique, with five hospital corpsmen providing medical care to the 400 personnel (military and civilian) assigned and training on the island.

"Between the five of us we have a vast medical knowledge base and a lot of experience, not having a medical officer in the clinic isn't a problem," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Keith Eten, leading chief petty officer, BHC San Clemente. "If we have a question, we have the reassurance of calling Naval Medical Center San Diego or other branch health clinics that have a specialist to answer our questions, confirm a diagnosis or suggest an alternative treatment."

All five hospital corpsmen assigned to BHC San Clemente are designated with specialized medical Navy Enlisted Classifications (NEC) - three Independent Duty Corpsman and two Fleet Marine Force corpsmen. These NECs allow the staff to work on an independent basis without the need for direct supervision of a medical officer.

Along with providing routine medical care to the 100 patients they treat on an average month, the clinic works like any other clinic performing various health care administrative physicals, records keeping, unit readiness, special tests and follow-on patient care needs.

The BHC San Clemente corpsmen also provide medical support for events such as live fire exercises, weapons-testing, biology surveys and respond to all 911 calls and all aircraft in-flight emergencies.

Additionally, clinic personnel maintain a well stocked pharmacy and has emergency capabilities on the island, including a crash chart with an Automatic External Defibrillator.

Since the clinic falls under Naval Medical Center San Diego, direct communication with the NMCSD Emergency Room is maintained. In the event all communication were lost on the island, the clinic is equipped with a satellite phone to ensure staff are able to contact NMCSD for assistance.

BHC San Clemente is one of nine NMCSD clinics with the ability to provide Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), a set of clinical interventions for the urgent treatment of cardiac arrest and other life-threatening medical emergencies.

BHC San Clemente staff have extensive training and the ability to manage significant trauma including advanced airway, hemorrhage control, age initiate IV access, read and interpret electrocardiograms and administer emergency pharmaceuticals.

If there is an emergency that cannot be stabilized and treated at the clinic, assistance is requested through Mercy Air or the Coast Guard for transfer to NMCSD or the best available facility.

BHC San Clemente corpsmen live and work in the clinic, rotating eight days of work with six days off. Corpsmen man the facility at all times, and serve primary responders for the 911 system and any aircraft declaring an in-flight emergency.

Since the only way to arrive and depart from the island is by air, getting home can be difficult, particularly in the event of inclement weather.

Despite the difficulties associated with a remote duty station, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Colin Anderson said the professionalism of the staff has provided him room for career development.

"The best thing about working at the BHC San Clemente Island is the staff," he said. "I also work in the same office as my senior corpsman, chief and senior chief. It helps facilitate a more thorough explanation and dialog about Navy policies, and any other issues that affect a Sailor's life. Active and passive leadership development occurs throughout the day. This is what I imagine the MCPON refers to when he mentions 'deck-plate leadership,' and this is what I value the most."