JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 779th Medical Group Emergent Care Center here provides emergency medical services and transports patients to other facilities if necessary.
The presence of the ECC contributes to the immediate health and well-being of each member on Andrews by tending to patients with urgent conditions after hours.
"We see approximately 60 patients per day for issues that can range from a sprain to cardiac issues," said Maj. Joseph Thomas, 779th Medical Group Emergent Care Center flight commander.
Members of Team Andrews whom become ill with an urgent condition, meaning one that requires treatment within 24 hours, can come to the ECC to be treated within their facility and discharged. If the ECC is not equipped to treat the patient's specific ailment, they will be transported to a facility that best meets their needs.
"We have three or more ambulances ready to go at any time," said Master Sgt. Kenneth Horst, 779th MDG ECC NCO in charge.
Along with contributing to the bases well-being, Horst enjoys aiding the education of newer Airmen in his unit. The mentoring Airmen receive helps them become a vital part of the ECC and its mission here.
"The most gratifying part of my job is seeing how our treatment of a patient's illness or injury affects them during our care, but I really enjoy being able to see the younger Airmen develop and learn new skills and techniques," Horst said. "We teach them things that they weren't taught in technical school, allowing them to grow from their basic education into more well developed Airmen who are able to use critical thinking skills in their everyday life."
The 779th ECC is not considered an emergency room because they do not facilitate over-night patients. Service members in danger of losing life, limb or eyesight due to illness or injury are advised to call 522 for emergency services on Joint Base Andrews. The ECC provides ambulance service for emergencies occurring on JBA.
Urgent care is for illness or injury that requires treatment within 24 hours but is not life-threatening, for example, migraine headaches, earaches, toothaches, sprains or a fever.
For more information, call the main phone line during duty hours at 999-1212 for an acute appointment or go directly to the ECC. After duty hours, call the ECC at 857-2333 to reach an on-call provider after duty hours.