Sports physicals ‘in one dose’ Local physicians ‘cure’ waiting time

***image2******image1***Getting sports and school physicals “in one dose” was the best medicine for more than 300 KMC athletes.
Health care professionals from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center pediatric clinic, and Ramstein family practice and flight medical clinics streamlined physicals for children ages 6 to 18 at the Ramstein American High School gymnasium July 30.
Athletes will have another shot at the streamlined physicals 2 to 8 p.m. Aug. 13 and 20.
“It’s awesome,” said Master Sgt. Eddie Maldonado, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Operations Flight NCOIC.
“This is the way it should be done all the time,” he said while his two daughters were getting their physicals. “This is a lot easier than trying to get an appointment at the clinic.”
This streamlined process ensured athletes received height and weight measurements, body mass index, vital signs, immunizations check and physical exams. Male athletes also received testicular exams.
Time concerns for KMC patients and medical staff was necessary, said the School and Sports Physicals Coordinator Maj. Michael J. Fedor.
“We decided to do this because of staff shortages at Ramstein and Landstuhl,” said Major Fedor, Ramstein family practice clinic flight commander. “There’s got to be close to 50,000 people within the KMC, and we had to come together as one to take care of them.”
Children of active duty, military retirees, and DOD, non-appropriated funds and contractor employees throughout the KMC and Baumholder can take advantage of the streamlined physicals, said Major Fedor.
Among the stations helping athletes get the prized physical, there were also informational booths from Army and Air Force organizations.
“We wanted to do it like a health informational fair in order to make parents and athletes more aware of their health concerns,” said Major Fedor.
Booths included the Health and Wellness centers, child and youth services, substance abuse counselors, physical therapists and community health nurses. Ramstein’s pharmacy and dental, and Landstuhl’s Educational and Developmental Intervention Services were also on hand to provide information to parents and athletes.
“They can get information on a large variety of topics,” said Regina L. Tidemann, the nurse for the 415th Base Support Battalion’s Child and Youth Services. “This has been a wonderful way to give physicals and health information to a large number of kids in a fairly rapid process.”
Parents of athletes who take advantage of this joint effort have their children’s sports and school physicals done for the year. They also helped free up LRMC and Ramstein clinics to see patients.
“Doing something like this gets a lot of children seen in an efficient way that doesn’t take as much time out of the clinics as everybody getting their physicals during regular visits,” said Army Lt. Col. John S. Scott, LRMC pediatric clinic chief. “Things are stretched tight in the military everywhere so we do know that we are going to have a little bit of a tighter season this fall and winter.”
Athletes should have their immunizations records with them. Standard physical exam report forms will be available, but parents need to bring any organizational exam forms, such as for scouts or private sport teams.
The next dose of physicals and informational booths is Aug. 13 for last names beginning with N through Z. To avoid long lines, the following times are recommended:
• 2 to 3:30 p.m. – N to O
• 3:30 to 4 p.m. – P to R
• 5 to 6:30 p.m. – S to U
• 6:30 to 8 p.m. – V to Z.
A final day of physicals is offered 2 to 8 p.m. Aug. 20. The place will be announced later.