ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. –
Recently, the Air Force made changes to the way Airmen are placed on temporary medical profiles - written recommendations from healthcare providers that describe temporary restrictions relative to work, duty, or mobility.
In May 2006, Gen T. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff, released a policy that stated, "No Airman will be labeled with a temporary medical profile without the approval of the unit commander," and on August 17, 2007, Lt. Gen. James G. Roudebush, Air Force Surgeon General, revised the medical profile process instituting the duty limiting conditions program.
"The automated process now provides unit commanders with an accurate and responsive program to track their unit's medical readiness," said Lt. Col. David T. Carey, Commander, 79th Physiological Training Unit and Andrews Fitness Program Manager.
As of August 21, 2007, Malcolm Grow Medical Center no longer issues handwritten paper copies of medical profiles.
"DLC profiles are now emailed to the member's unit commander," said Col. Janet M. Deltuva, 79th Medical Group deputy commander. "The unit commander will review the DLC and then forward it to the member. After Aug. 21, only DLC profiles received from a unit commander are official."
If a DLC profile affects a member's physical fitness testing, their unit Fitness Program Manager will contact the Health and Wellness Center for a fitness 'prescription' said Colonel Carey.
Not all Air Force medical facilities are starting the new DLC program at the same time.
"The Air Force Instruction for this program is still being staffed," said Colonel Carey. "We are one of about only 13 other bases that are doing this. General Moseley said make it happen, so we're making it happen."
Members who receive a handwritten profile from another medical clinic, to include civilian, Army, or Navy facilities, should take it to their Primary Care Manager at Malcolm Grow Medical Center.
"Members that don't have a PCM at Malcolm Grow should take their handwritten profile to Public Health located in Bldg. 1075 or the Operational Medicine Clinic in Malcolm Grow," said Colonel Carey. "A new DLC profile will be issued and sent to the unit commander."
For questions about DLC profiles, contact Public Health at 240-857-5498.