So you or someone you know has joined the ranks of those who need to be medically evacuated from a Pacific Duty Station. Now what?
Well, the process is slightly different depending on your individual situation. I'm going to try to be as general as possible in this post so that it might be helpful to you.
Recap: Our 3 month old was diagnosed with GBS (Group B Strep) that presented as bacterial meningitis. They were able to handle her condition on base until she started having seizures. As Okinawa has no pediatric neurologists on base, she was sent to a Japanese PICU in Naha until she could be medically evacuated to Hawaii.
1. Packing / Family Care Plan
Once you know that you will be evacuated, start packing immediately. This is particularly important if you have several people to pack for. Even if you have a scheduled flight, it can change at any time. (This is the military after all.) Our plane was grounded for maintenance and we ended up flying out a full day early.
Each family member is permitted 2 bags and a carry-on. Do not ignore the weight limits for luggage on military flights because they will not allow you to go over. Also, talk to your case manager to find out if there is a possibility that you may not be returning to your duty station. Packing for an extended "vacation" requires a different type of packing than when you're packing for a PCS.
**It is always a good idea to pack copies of the medical records for all individuals traveling. **
Remember that pesky family care plan you were required to complete within 30 days of arrival? Now is when it comes into play. Did you somehow get away with not turning one in? Well now things are going to be that much harder for you.
Every care plan is family specific so it's up to you to determine what's best. Who will your kids/pets be staying with while you're gone? Who will watch your house so it doesn't mold? Who's going to sell your island car for you if you aren't coming back? There are so many things you will need to think about and take care of before you leave.
Just remember, stay calm and try not to worry or stress out. What doesn't get done are the things that are less important. Your command will be able to help you with some things. Your awesome military friends will certainly help you with the rest.
** Marines on Okinawa who still need to complete a Family Care Plan can take the Family Care Plan class through Marine Corps Family Team Building to help them figure out what needs to be done for their family. It's not an all inclusive class because all families are different and they don't want to keep your there all day long. But it does go step by step over the process of what all you'll need paperwork wise to make your care plan functional (POA's, wills, etc) and different categories and topics you'll need to consider that you may not have thought of. **
2. A flight has to be secured.
In a true emergency, they would be able to obtain one within several hours. The patient has to be stable enough to make the 8+ hour journey. In our case, she was in good hands so this was not necessary. As Okinawa has a routine medical evacuation flight scheduled to leave every Thursday.
3. Non-Medical Attendant
The command will assign a non-medical attendant tot he patient if they are a child or in a state they will not be able to make their own medical decisions. In the case of families, it is up to the command who will be assigned. They may allow the service member to go, assign another family member to be send, and/or send the entire family. No matter how many people they send, there will only be one non-medical attendant assigned at a time.
Our command assigned my husband (the service member) to be the non-medical attendant for the duration of our daughter's hospital stay but also sent the entire family which is an exception to policy. I was sent because I'm a breastfeeding mom and the patient was our baby. My older daughter was sent because both of her parents were going.
Upon discharge, my husband will be returning to Okinawa to facilitate paperwork and potentially check out. At that time, I will become the non-medical attendant and oversee all of my daughter's post-hospitalization care until we are either sent back to Okinawa or my husband "picks us up" on the way to our new duty station.
***** Important Post Update: If additional family members are sent that are not specified non-medical attendants, ensure that they are listed on your medical evacuation orders not just the medical flight manifest. If not, they will be required to fly space-a or you will have to purchase them a ticket in order to return to your original duty station. No joke. They tried to make our 4 year old Space-A home by herself.......*****
4. Medical Team Assembled
The hospital will assess the patient's individual needs and assign personnel and equipment as needed. Each patient has their own staff attending to them. No sharing. That way if anything should happen during the flight they are up-to-date & knowledgeable about what they are dealing with and won't be stretched thin with multiple patients.
We had the privilege of being escorted by the Neonatal Transport Team: 18th MDOS/USNH Okinawa. Although I hope no one ever has to use their services, know that you are in excellent hands. They are extremely friendly yet professional and really know the in and outs of their jobs. I especially liked how well informed they kept our family throughout the process and loved on our little one.
5. Aero Vac Brief
All travelers are required to attend the Aero Vac "Brief" before departure. This basically consisted of going line by line over the safety paperwork and a short description of what the flight would entail. Then you sign your life away and shuttle off to the runway.
6. Depart for Hawaii / Tripler Army Medical Center
Let's Recap:
You find out you're being medically evacuated and you have to...?
That's right.
Pack / Carry Out Family Care Plan
Wait and try not to stress.
Go to a brief and leave.
The hospital takes care of everything else.
