CHAPTER 16

DEPLOYABLE MEDICAL UNITS

16-1. Applicability

This chapter is applicable to deployable medical units of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines that are designed to operate in non-fixed facilities or perform in contingency operations. Further definition of these units can be found at Appendix A, glossary.

16-2. Concept

a. Deployable medical units performing health care testing on a routine basis while in garrison or home port during peacetime are required to meet the requirements of CLIP except for proficiency testing. Laboratories in these units must obtain CLIP registration. There is no requirement for notification or re-registration when these laboratories deploy. The local medical treatment facility (MTF) laboratory will provide technical assistance.

b. Deployable medical units that do not perform laboratory testing services on a routine basis when in garrison or home port are subject to the minimum CLIP requirements stated at paragraph 16-3a below.

c. Deployment of medical units for training, hostile operations, or operations other than war, immediately places the unit in a military readiness position. Upon mobilization and deployment, units will adhere to minimum CLIP requirements 1 through 3 (described at paragraph 16-3a) unless they are temporarily modified in writing by OASD(HA), the Service's Surgeons General (TSG), or subordinate medical commanders.

d. The local medical treatment facility (MTF) laboratory will provide technical assistance (described at paragraph 16-3b) to deployable medical units to assure CLIP requirements are met. Minimal requirements are stated below.

16-3. Responsibilities

a. Unit. At a minimum units will:

(1) Maintain verification of training and competency of personnel in accordance with Chapter 11.

(2) Maintain a standard operating procedure (SOP) for each test performed.

(3) Maintain and document quality control, quality assurance and maintenance programs.

(4) Validate all procedures with the supporting MTF laboratory.

(5) Participate in continuing education offered by the supporting MTF.

b. Supporting MTF. Minimal support consists of:

(1) Assigning a technical consultant to each unit.

(2) Conducting an annual assist visit to each unit.

(3) Providing training as necessary.

(4) Establishing internal proficiency testing, as needed.

(5) Verifying a unit's ability to perform all listed procedures.

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