By Zachary Hada, 55th Wing Public Affairs / Published February 12, 2019
A 55th Medical Group Red Cross volunteer, speaks to a serivce member in the Ehrling Burquist pharmacy Jan. 7, 2019, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The base pharmacy carefully screens all medications to ensure quality controlled products are correctly supplied to their patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Zachary Hada)
A 55th Medical Group pharmacist processes medication in the Ehrling Burquist pharmacy Jan. 7, 2019, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The base pharmacy carefully screens all medications to ensure quality controlled products are correctly supplied to their patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Zachary Hada)
Capt. Jin Kang, 55th Medical Group pharmacist, processes medication in the Ehrling Burquist pharmacy Jan. 7, 2019, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The base pharmacy carefully screens all medications to ensure quality controlled products are correctly supplied to their patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Zachary Hada)
With the Air Force’s greatest asset being its Airmen, Team Offutt relies heavily on the professional care and support of the 55th Medical Group pharmacy team to accurately and safely dispense medication to Airmen, keeping them healthy and fit to fight.
In an effort to continue meeting this goal, the Ehrling Burgquist clinic has recently implemented some changes.
“The changes are designed to improve patient safety, efficiency and readiness,” said Maj. Richard Smith, 55th Medical Support Squadron Pharmacy flight commander. “At the end of the day it is about providing trusted care for our patients.”
Among the changes are a new patient queuing system and a processing area expansion.
The kiosks feature a customer verification and self-service check-in so patients no longer have to go to the processing window or wait in long lines. Smith stated the lines were affecting the pharmacy’s efficiency and causing patient dissatisfaction.
Another area seeing improvements is the main pharmacy processing line, where the pharmacy technicians and pharmacists work. New cabinetry and shelves were installed for more storage and the work area was rearranged to improve productivity.
The satellite pharmacy, is also seeing big changes as it will move into the Base Exchange mini mall in the spring. The pharmacy processes refill prescriptions, which can be called in 24 hours a day.
The exact dates the satellite pharmacy may close for the move will be announced later, according to Maj Smith.
The new location won’t have a drive through window like the old satellite pharmacy, but it will have six processing windows to help patients and will remain open on training days. Inside the BX, patients will have more space to sit, have the option to shop at the BX or commissary during their wait time, and the location will remain handicap accessible.
For more information, contact the pharmacy at (402) 294-7358 or (402) 294-3228.