SICK offers cost saving, return to productivity

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shawn Nickel
  • 9th RW Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., --  Some instances of illness don't warrant a trip to a primary care provider or the emergency room, yet they set Airmen back just enough to hinder productivity or the mission at hand.

With the new Self Initiated Care Kit provided by the 9th Medical Group, Airmen can take increased responsibility for the care of themselves and their families with resources for tending to minor illnesses and injuries at home.

"SICK will save Airmen time by not having to make an appointment and money by not having to purchase common over-the-counter medications from the store," said Maj. Stephanie Stichert, 9th MDG. "Plus, it will help to get Airmen back to work and the mission faster."

An educational class is required for members to register for the program. No reservation is necessary to attendand they are held monthly on the following schedule:

- 2nd and 4th Tuesday at the Recce Point Club at 2:30 p.m. following Medical Right Start.
- 1st and 3rd Friday of each month in the Clinic Conference Room @ 11 a.m.

"In addition to saving the member time and money, it also allows the appointments with our providers to be used for more acute patient needs," said Stichert.

Take Care of Yourself and Take Care of Your Child books will be used in conjunction with the training. These books will be given to the members when they attend the one-time educational class.

After class completion, members will receive a SICK prescription card allowing them to pick up common over-the-counter medications without an appointment.

"We have received a lot of useful medications like cold and allergy medication for our children for free and will continue to use SICK as often as we can," said Amber Swanson, wife of Senior Airman Adam Swanson, 9th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Although all new members to Beale will automatically have access to the program by way of Right Start and the First Term Airman's Course, Stichert said the biggest challenge for the pharmacy is getting the existing base population to utilize the resource.

"We are working to overcome this challenge by utilizing the first sergeants to help get the word out about the benefits of this program to their units," said Stichert. "In addition, we have offered the first sergeants the opportunity to schedule a class for just their unit."

For more information on the SICK program contact Maj. Stephanie Stichert at 634-4819, Capt. Arielle Shiely at 634-4818 or Maj. Mary Severson at 634-4835.