Nellis AFB, NV - Hospital

The nearest hospital to Nellis Air Force Base is the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital which offers inpatient care and emergency room facilities. The facility is provided by the 99th Medical Group and has over 94 beds. The hospital has a variety of services including radiological, surgical and pharmacy operations. All areas of medicine are offered at the hospital including substance abuse and same day surgery facilities. For more information about appointments, call the Nellis Air Force Base Federal Hospital at 702-653-2273 or DSN 384-2273.





MEDICAL SERVICES
The 99th Medical Group is comprised of approximately 720 personnel who are dedicated to providing preventive, emergency and acute care services for approximately 22,000 active-duty members and their dependents. Health care services are also provided directly or coordinated for over 40,000 retirees, their dependents or other eligible beneficiaries on a space-available basis.

Members of the 99th MDG host a 114-bed medical treatment facility in a joint venture project with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Air Force provides executive oversight of the facility, staffs all outpatient activities and manages 62 of the beds for Department of Defense beneficiaries. The VA manages 52 beds and provides care for VA inpatients admitted from the hospital emergency room and the VA Ambulatory Care Center in Las Vegas, NV.

The Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital -- general information number (702) 653-2273 -- opened August 1994 and now provides the following services: aerospace medicine, allergy, anesthesia, audiology, blood bank services, cardiology, cardiopulmonary lab, dermatology, emergency services, endodontics, ENT, family advocacy, family practice, gastroenterology, general dentistry, general surgery, geriatrics, health promotions, immunizations, internal medicine, interventional CT, laboratory, mammography, MRI, neurology, nuclear medicine, nutritional medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, occupational medicine, ophthalmology, optometry, oral maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, pain clinic, pastoral care, pathology, pediatrics, periodontics, pharmacy, physical exams, physical therapy, plastic surgery, podiatry, prosthodontics, psychiatry, psychology, public health, pulmonology, radiology, same day surgery, social work, substance abuse, ultrasound and urology.

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TRICARE

TriCare Service Center -- 653-2329
Health Benefits Advisors Help Line -- 653-2500
TriWest -- 1-888-874-9378

TriCare is the Department of Defense health care program for active-duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. The hospital TriCare office primary objectives are to familiarize everyone on all the TriCare options and benefits. TriCare is a managed-care system that offers a three tiered system of health care delivery choices which include TRICARE Prime, Extra and Standard. For information on these health choices or enrollments contact our office at 653-2329.

Your Rights as a Patient
1. You have the right to be treated with dignity as an individual, with compassion and respect, with reasonable protection from harm including safety and security for both your person and your belongings, and with appropriate privacy and confidentiality. You have the right to private telephone conversations to the extent that these conversations do not interfere with medically necessary treatment. Your treatment will respect your personal values, preferences, and beliefs as well as spiritual preferences, psychosocial circumstances and cultural background.

2. You have the right to receive treatment which respects your need for effective communication. The hospital will provide translation or interpretation services as necessary to enhance effective communication. In addition, the hospital will address your needs with regard to vision, hearing, speech, language and cognitive impairment.

3. To the extent you are eligible, you have the right to receive prompt and appropriate treatment, within the medical center's capacity, for physical or emotional disorders or disabilities. Treatment will be in the least restrictive environment necessary and free from unnecessary or excessive medication. The effectiveness and safety of care, treatment and services does not depend on your ability to pay.

4. You have the right to the appropriate assessment and management of pain. You and your family, when appropriate, have the right to education about your role in pain management and the potential limitations and side effects of pain treatments.

5. You are provided, to the degree known, information concerning your diagnoses, treatment and prognoses. If your condition makes it inadvisable or impossible to give such information to you directly, this information is made available to your legally authorized surrogate or when appropriate, to your family.

6. You are given the opportunity to participate in decisions involving your health care, unless your medical condition makes this inadvisable or impossible. You have the right to family involvement in decisions involving your health care with your permission. If you do not have the capacity to participate in your care decisions, a legally designated surrogate will be identified to make decisions on your behalf. This surrogate may also give permission for family involvement in decisions involving your health care.

7. You have the right to refuse a recommended treatment or plan of care to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy, and to be informed of the medical consequences of this action. Refusing treatment, after having been apprised of the treatment's expected benefits, associated risks, reasonable and available alternatives, and anticipated results if nothing is done, will not jeopardize your right to future medical care and treatment.

8. You have the right to receive from your physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment, including the medically significant risks involved, the expected benefits, the available alternatives, and the probable duration of incapacitation. You also have the right to know the name and professional status of the persons responsible for the procedure and/or treatment.

9. Your medical records and all information about you will be kept confidential unless you consent to its
release or disclosure as permitted by law. There may be other limited circumstances in which legal
standards allow or require disclosure of medical information to specific agencies or individuals without
your expressed consent, particularly for members of the Armed Forces. Patients and, when appropriate, their families are informed about the outcomes of care, treatment, and services that have been provided, including unanticipated outcomes. You have the right to review the records pertaining to your medical care and to have the information explained or interpreted as necessary, except when restricted by law. You have the right to request amendment to your records if during your review you find what you deem to be incorrect information.

10. When medically permissible, you may be transferred to another facility only after you have received complete information and explanation concerning the need for and alternatives to such a transfer. The institution to which you are to be transferred must first have accepted you for transfer.

11. You have the right to know if the medical center proposes to engage in research or human experimentation affecting your care. You have the right to refuse to participate in experimental research. You have the right to know of any professional, educational, or financial relationships or affiliations the hospital or your physician may have.

12. Consent will be obtained for recording or filming made for purposes other than the identification, diagnosis, or treatment of the patient.

13. You have the right to expect reasonable continuity of care. You have the right to know in advance what appointment times and physicians are available and where. If you meet eligibility requirements, care may be obtained within this facility or referred to other sources as appropriate. In some instances, limitations on eligibility may place care within this facility on a "space available" basis. You will be fully informed of any such limitations. You have the right to expect the hospital will provide a mechanism whereby you are informed by your physician or a delegate of the physician of your continuing health care requirements following discharge.

14. You have the right to examine and receive an explanation of your bill regardless of payment source. You have a right to accurate information and your healthcare program (TRICARE or VA Benefits) to include covered health benefits and health plan options. You also have the right to contact a TRICARE Debt Collection Assistance Officer to assist you in the resolution of any TRICARE related fees and/or claims.


15. You have the right to know what hospital rules and regulations apply to your conduct as a patient.

16. You have the right to access available religious services or spiritual counseling, and to exercise your spiritual and cultural beliefs as long as they do not interfere with the well being of others or the planned course of therapy.

17. You have the right to have a person of your own sex present during certain parts of the physical examination, treatment, or other procedures performed by a health professional of the opposite sex. Parents or legal guardians of unemancipated minor patients have a right to be present during examinations and treatment of the minor, with the exception of treatment for sexually transmitted disease, contraception, abortion or alcohol or substance abuse treatment.

18. The dying patient has the right to care that optimizes comfort and dignity, including the appropriate and aggressive management of pain.

19. You have the right to receive information on various types of advance directives. If you have an existing advance directive, it will be followed should you become incapacitated.

20. You have the right to access protective and advocacy services including Child Protective Services and the Family Advocacy Program if you feel that you or your child is the victim of abuse or neglect. You also have the right to assistance in obtaining a payee if necessary.

21. You have a right to receive information about mechanisms to resolve grievances, complaints, disputes, or dilemmas regarding your medical care and other issues. You have the right to voice complaints freely and recommend changes without being subject to coercion, discrimination, reprisal, or unreasonable interruption of care, treatment and services. You may contact your clinic's Patient Advocate or the hospital Patient Advocate to voice your complaint. You have the right to participate in the consideration of ethical issues that arise in the provision of your care. You have the right to take unresolved ethical issues before the Ethics Committee.

22. You have the right to review a provider directory maintained in the TRICARE Flight to assist with understanding your provider's education and training and selecting a Primary Care Manager. You have the right to review publicly reported facility quality measures. Please see the TRICARE flight or visit www.qualitycheck.org.


Your Responsibilities as a Patient

1. To follow all of the hospital's rules and regulations and posted signs.

2. To show respect and consideration for other patients and hospital employees.

3. To provide information as requested by your treatment staff.

4. To ask questions regarding your treatment plan in order to make sure you understand all aspects of your medications to include dosage, frequency, possible side effects and whether or not you are scheduled for outpatient follow-up visits.

5. To follow all instructions included in your treatment plan.

6. To accept the consequences for outcomes which may arise if you do not follow instructions for your care, treatment, and service plan.

7. To meet financial commitments as they arise to the best of your ability.

8. To try to prevent an injury to yourself, other patients, visitors and staff members by your own actions and to be responsible for the safekeeping of clothing, money and personal possessions you choose to keep with you while you are in this facility.

9. To report for all of your scheduled diagnostic or treatment appointments on time or to call to change or reschedule your appointments at least 24 hours in advance.

10. To avoid interfering with the treatment of other patients, particularly in emergency situations.

11. To alert the staff when you observe another patient having difficulty.

12. To be understanding and patient if you encounter delays.

13. To maximize good healthy habits such as exercise, not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and not knowingly spreading diseases. However if you choose to smoke, you are required to only do so in the designated smoking areas to help maintain a clean hospital environment.

14. You are responsible for the behavior and conduct of those who visit you during your hospital stay. Your visitors must observe visiting hours. Adults are responsible for the behavior of their children at all times.

15. Become knowledgeable about your health plan coverage, options and rules to include required fees.

16. Report wrongdoing and fraud to appropriate authorities.

You are encouraged to ask questions about any of these rights that you do not understand. DoD Instruction 6000.14, Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities in the Military Health System and Department of Veterans Affairs publication 18-160 completely describes your rights and responsibilities and are available from the hospital staff, Patient Relations Representative or Patient Advocate.


EMERGENCY SERVICES

Emergency services response line -- 653-2344
On-base ambulance -- 118
Off-base ambulance -- 911

Patients are encouraged to use the Taking Care of Yourself book, available through the Health and Wellness Center. This book directs actions to take when seeking medical attention when emergency services may not be required.

For advice on medical issues, please call the toll free TriCare Line for Care at 888-887-4111 24 hours a day.

Emergency services are available 24 hours a day. An emergency is defined as an acute illness or injury that may pose a threat to life, limb or eyesight; results in unreasonable pain and suffering; or requires immediate care or attention to ensure the best possible recovery. Report directly to the emergency room for evaluation. Patients requiring immediate treatment are seen first. Active duty and TriCare Prime enrollees are seen before eligible TriCare beneficiaries who are not enrolled for non-emergent conditions. Patients presenting with nonADurgent problems may be referred to the Family Practice Clinic or Pediatric Clinic for evaluation and treatment. Ambulance service is available within the boundaries of Nellis AFB as well as Areas I, II, III and base housing.

When requesting an ambulance:

B7 Remain on the telephone long enough to ensure correct information is given and received.
B7 Patients requiring an ambulance on base can call 118.
B7 Patients residing in off-base military housing (Manch Manor I, II, 777) can access the emergency response line at 652-2333.
B7 Patients requiring an ambulance outside these areas must contact a civilian ambulance by calling 911.

APPOINTMENT SYSTEM
653-2273

The hospital has a centralized telephone appointment system.

Most hospital appointments are scheduled, cancelled and/or verified by
calling 653-CARE (2273). This number will activate a voice system, which will direct you to the needed medical section. In some cases, you will need to dial the clinic directly, so please be prepared to write down the phone number given. Active-duty and TriCare Prime patients have priority in scheduling appointments. All other patients may call for a space-available appointment Monday through Friday beginning at 7 a.m.

Acute appointments are available for patients who need to be seen on an urgent, same-day basis but are not considered emergencies. We prefer active-duty members call for an appointment, as the primary care areas do not offer a group "sick call" style appointment.

Appointments with most subspecialty clinics require a referral.

PRIMARY CARE MEDICAL SERVICES
Family Medicine Residency -- 653-2273
Internal Medicine - 653-3250
Pediatrics -- 653-2360

The Family Medicine Residency offers a broad range of services to people of all ages, as we strive to be your "personal medical home", both in the clinic or on the inpatient ward. Procedures offered include private obstetric care, minor skin surgery, colonoscopy, vasectomy, cardiac treadmill testing, and cervical colposcopy. We anticipate adding manipulation and acupuncture by Fall 08. We serve all non-flying active duty, retirees and dependents. We are staffed by Family Medicine training instructors, active duty/GS/contractor Family Physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. We are actively growing in size and scope and look forward to serving you.

FMR offers care from 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. FMR is closed on all federal holidays and Sundays.

PHARMACY
Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital -- 653-3201
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday

Satellite Pharmacy
4311 Carswell Ave. 652-6011 Bldg 340
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5:30 p.m. for lobby)
Monday through Friday
24-hour Refill Call-in Service -- 652-5359 or (800) 237-8981

New hand-written prescriptions may be filled at the satellite pharmacy. Prescriptions from civilian providers will be filled if the medication is on the hospital's formulary - a listing of medication stocked.

Refills are available through a phone-in refill system and should be picked up at the drive through windows at the satellite pharmacy. Listen to the automated message for changes in hours of operation, formulary changes and other important pharmacy information.

VETERINARY SERVICES
4146 Mountain Home Street
Nellis AFB NV 89191
Appointments -- 702-652-8836
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Nellis U.S. Army Veterinary Treatment Facility offers limited veterinary care for Active Duty, Retirees and their Dependents. Services available are vaccinations, prep for overseas travel, Health Certificates and other limited services.

This facility does not provide surgical services, boarding or grooming.

Pets are seen on appointment-basis only. We have a veterinarian here only 2-3 days a week. Payments can be made in the forms of cash, check, Visa or MasterCard.

Office hours are Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DENTAL CLINIC
Hospital 2nd Floor
Clinic -- 653-2600

General dentistry and selected specialty services are provided for active duty personnel. Routine appointments are made following an examination to determine the type and extent of care required. Periodic dental exams and cleanings are coordinated through unit monitors/schedulers. Members desiring exams or cleanings beyond that offered with the periodic exam may request these services through the clinic. Any treatment obtained from a civilian dentist, including elective care such as orthodontics, must be paid for by the member and coordinated with the clinic prior to initiating treatment.

Emergency dental care is defined as uncontrolled pain, bleeding, rapid swelling or significant trauma to the oralADfacial structures. Immediate emergency care is available for all beneficiary categories. Patients wishing to be seen during sick call should call the appointment desk at 653-2600 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are not recommended, as they may have to wait until all scheduled sick call patients are seen. After duty hours, a dentist and technician are on call for consultation and management of dental emergencies. Patients must report to the emergency room during these times for initial triage and management by the medical staff.

Family Members and Retired Military Personnel

Family members and retirees receive treatment on a stand-by, space-available basis only (waiting in the clinic until a broken appointment or lastAD minute cancellation occurs). Treatment will be limited to exams, cleanings and other single-procedure visits. Stand-by, space-ADavailable care has been significantly curtailed by DoD and Air Force policy and is extremely limited. Care guidelines are available at the clinic reception desk. Non-active duty members are encouraged to seek care in the private sector.

Active duty members are encouraged to enroll their families in the TriCare Active Duty Family Member Dental Plan to ensure routine and emergency treatment needs are provided through civilian sources. Enrollment in the dental plan is done through Customer Service at the Military Personnel Flight. Questions regarding the plan including information about participating dentists should be directed to the health benefits advisor at 653-2500.

AEROSPACE MEDICINE

The 99th Aerospace Medicine Squadron consists of seven flights:

B7 Flight Medicine (Flight Medicine Clinic, PHA/PIMR Center, Immunizations and PRP)
B7 Public Health/Force Health Management
B7 Bioenvironmental Engineering
B7 Optometry
B7 Health Promotions
B7 Medical Readiness
B7 Education and Training

FLIGHT MEDICINE FLIGHT

Flight Medicine Clinic
Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital
653-3002

The Flight Medicine Clinic provides routine medical care to the base flying population and their dependents. Personnel eligible for medical care include pilots, navigators, air traffic controllers, flight engineers, and all personnel and their dependents that hold a 1042 clearance. Active Duty only sick call for flyers is from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. and 1 - 1:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Wednesdays 1 - 1:30 p.m. Routine medical appointments can be made weekdays from 8:30 - 11 a.m. and 2 - 4 p.m. by calling Flight Medicine at 653-3002. After duty-hours, flyers should go to the MOFH emergency room. The flight surgeon on call will be notified of ER visits by flying personnel. Should a flyer be seen outside of the MOFH, it is their responsibility to notify the flight surgeon at the first Sick Call following the visit. Flyers may NOT fly until cleared by a flight surgeon after receiving treatment in the ER or from a provider outside the hospital.

OPTOMETRY FLIGHT
Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital
Appointment Line -- 653-APPT (2273)
Clinic -- 653-3010
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays

For routine eye appointments, everyone needs to call the central appointment line at 653-2273. The Optometry clinic front desk personnel will only schedule follow-up appointments. If you have had an eye examination within the past year and need to have an out-of-state driver's license form (for mail renewals) filled out or gas mask insets ordered, you can do this on a walk-in basis during normal duty hours.

PUBLIC HEALTH FLIGHT/FORCE HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital
Clinic -- 653-3351

The Public Health Flight handles many diverse programs to ensure a healthy and fit Nellis community. Members of this flight perform inspections of Nellis' food establishments, provide screening for communicable diseases; and manage the base occupational health, rabies and tuberculosis screening programs. Public Health readiness ensures deploying members are medically cleared to deploy and provides education to reduce health risks at deployed locations. The Force Health Management section is responsible for determining physical standards for special duty assignments, retraining, TDY, PCS and worldwide service in general. Personnel needing assistance can schedule appointments through the Public Health main line. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

BIOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING FLIGHT
6040 McGough Pkwy. (Bldg. 825)
653-3316
Gas Mask Fit Testing Walk-in Hours
Mondays through Thursdays, 8 - 9 a.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 - 4 p.m.

The Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight provides industrial hygiene and radiation protection surveillance for industrial shops on base. The flight evaluates such hazards as noise, industrial chemical use, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, biological hazards, ergonomics and indoor air quality. Bioenvironmental engineering professionals strive to ensure that commanders and supervisors provide their workers with a safe and healthful workplace. In addition, engineers monitor the quality of base drinking water.

PHA/PIMR Center
Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital
653-2197

The Preventive Health Assessment/Individual Medical Readiness Center provides care from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Wednesdays, the center opens at 8:30 a.m.

The PIMR Center offers required annual preventive medical care to all non-flying Active Duty and Reserve beneficiaries. Appointments are scheduled through squadron Unit Health Monitors.

PIMR Center technicians review medical records, check vital signs and administer the general Preventive Health Assessment. They identify and coordinate required ancillary care such as immunizations and laboratory as well as needed examinations by a physician or occupational specialist.

Personnel Reliability Program
Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital
653-3862/2910

What is PRP - The Personnel Reliability Program is a program in place to ensure the highest possible standards of individual reliability in personnel performing specialized duties with certain types of weapons.

Where is the PRP office located - The PRP office is currently located in the Public Health waiting area. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, except holidays and down days. For PRP matters after duty hours/weekends/holidays/down days, please contact the Emergency Room. The PRP cell phone # is (702) 289-0949, available 24 hours a day. The PRP office maintains the medical records for all personnel on PRP (99 ABW, 896 MUNS, 99 CES, 99 CS, 99 SFS, 99 SSS, 99 SFG). PRP sick-call hours are 8 - 9 a.m. in the Family Practice Clinic.

MEDICAL READINESS FLIGHT
BLDG 1305
653-2178

The Medical Readiness office is responsible for the development of plans and training programs for peacetime and wartime contingency operations and preparing the 99th Medical Group and its members to survive and function in a peacetime disaster or wartime environment. Medical Readiness training is conducted on the second Thursday of every month from 7 - 10 a.m. Training is comprised of disaster training, mobility training and Readiness Skills Verification. Training is also accomplished through base and hospital exercises, topic specific training and Combat Medical Readiness Team training sessions. All members of the 99th Medical Group will be assigned to a Disaster Response Team, a mobility team for an AEF pair (that may not necessarily assign them to a deployable mobility position) and an RSV team according to AFSC. All three areas of training will be accomplished once a quarter.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING FLIGHT
BLDG 1305
653-3370

The Education and Training flight provides all life support/EMT/SABC Instructor training to the medical group and to the three wings and tenant units at Nellis. The flight tracks all training accomplished by the medical group to include hospital orientation/suicide prevention/OPSEC/annual training/nursing and non-nursing licenses. We also provide guidance on competency assessment/in-service training/age specific and job descriptions. The unit training manager provides assistance with formal training/CDC's/6-part folders and AFIT.

Immunization Clinic
Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital
653-2410

The Immunization Clinic offers vaccines to all Active Duty, Retirees and Dependents from 2 months of age and up. This includes vaccines for deployment, work, school, and travel.

Some of the vaccines we offer have specific times that you may need to consider:

B7 Smallpox is given only on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1500.
B7 Yellow Fever is given only on Fridays from 0800 - 0900.
B7 TB tests (PPD tests) are given every day but Thursdays; also please insure that you return to the clinic 48 - 72 hours after placement so that we can verify the results.

Hours of operation:
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays -- 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays -- 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

HEALTH PROMOTIONS FLIGHT
HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER
4349 Duffer Dr. (Bldg. 340)
Appointment and Information -- 653-3375

The Health Promotions Flight is responsible for administering the Air Force Health Promotions Program. The objective is to furnish individuals with knowledge and skills that encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors. Services include tobacco cessation classes, fitness assessments, nutrition education, stress management, education on cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention. Classes are also provided to distribute the self-care book Taking Care of Yourself. All eligible beneficiaries and DoD civilians may participate in program services.

CANCER PROGRAM
Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital
Cancer Registry / SGSAHCR
2nd Floor (Inside the Dental Clinic)
Suite 1, Rooms 2528 and 2526
4700 North Las Vegas Blvd.
Nellis AFB, NV 89191-6601

The purpose of our Cancer Program is to provide the highest quality of medical care and follow up for patients with cancer in the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital. We are developing measures to improve the quality and length of life for our patients with cancer. This will be accomplished through multidisciplinary approaches to early diagnosis, pre-treatment evaluation, staging, treatment and surveillance for recurrent and multiple primary cancers.