FEATURES

Cardiopulmonary clinic provides best patient care

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Loftis
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  When a member in the Nellis AFB community has any heart or lung related issues such as asthma, heart or lung diseases, the cardiopulmonary clinic here steps in to identify and serve patients with the best patient care.

"The cardiopulmonary career field is a combination of various specialties which take care of the two most vital systems in the body - airway and cardiovascular," said Master Sgt. Patricia Bellotte, 99th Medical Surgical Operations Squadron Cardiopulmonary Flight chief.

The day-to-day activities of the cardiopulmonary clinic are ever changing.
"It can range from checking in patients for appointments, checking vitals, performing diagnostic tests, assisting physicians, and taking care of patients in the intensive care unit or in the ward," said Airman 1st Class Jasmine Copeland, 99th  MSGS cardiopulmonary technician.

The clinic sees a wide variety of patients from active duty, retirees and dependents.

The cardiopulmonary clinic performs several procedures throughout the day, such as electrocardiograms, 24 hour heart monitors, heart ultrasounds, treadmill and nuclear stress testing, and multiple breathing tests.

The cardiopulmonary clinic encourages Airmen to be mission ready by ensuring the Airmen who work there have the opportunity to receive all necessary training to perform their duties both in garrison and in a deployed location.

"We deploy highly skilled critical care technicians in support of contingency operations supported by the Air Force Medical Service," said Bellotte. "We support our brothers and sisters who work in all different career fields, helping them get the medical clearance they need in order to deploy and perform their vital missions."

Technicians in the cardiopulmonary clinic are able to work in a multitude of work environments such as, pulmonary laboratory, cardiology clinic, cardiac catheterization lab and respiratory therapy.

"The most unique thing about this clinic is the people who work in it," said Bellotte. "We have a mix of active duty and contract civilians that make up a cohesive family that wants to provide the best care to our patients.  At the end of the day, that's the only thing that matters,"