As you progress in rate and assume greater responsibilities, you will be required to maintain the activity's Medical Department Journal, and various logs, records, and directives. Additionally, you may be required to draft, type, and file correspondence. You will use Navy directives and publications more and more as you learn your job. You may also be required to maintain computer data for command use.

In this chapter we will cover medical reports, logs, and records commonly used by the Navy Medical Department. We will also discuss the maintenance and disposal of instructions and notices, preparation of correspondence, and filing procedures. Additionally, we will discuss the organization of the Fleet Marine Force and Fleet Hospitals. Finally, we will discuss the steps required for the development of both a command medical readiness plan (to include Mobile Medical Augmentation Readiness Team (MMART) and unit augmentation) and a joint medical operation plan.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recognize Medical Department reporting requirements.

As a member of the Medical Department, whether in a clinic, on a ship, or working sick call, your duties may include the maintenance of various logs and the preparation of reports required by higher authority. These reports are in the Manual of the Medical Department (NAVMED P-117) and in the current version of BUMEDINST 5210.9. BUMED has distributed numerous forms to facilitate reporting, recordkeeping, and administrative efficiency throughout the Medical Department. Specific instructions for management of reports and forms are covered in the current version of BUMEDINST 5210.9.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT JOURNAL
Medical Department activities afloat are required to keep a journal, referred to as the Medical Department Journal. This journal contains a complete, concise, chronological record of events of importance or historical value concerning the Medical Department (other than medical histories of individuals). It lists personnel entered onto or deleted from the binnacle or sick list; reports of personnel casualties, injuries, and deaths; results of inspections of fresh provisions; training given to nonmedical personnel; stretcher bearers assigned; results of inspections of medical equipment, battle dressing stations, gun bags, and stretchers; receipt of medical supplies; and other general information of significance. The journal is signed daily by the senior medical officer, when assigned, or the senior medical department representative (SMDR). The journal is a permanent record and is retired in accordance with the current version of SECNAVINST 5212.5.

REPORTS TO THE OFFICER OF THE DECK OR DAY (OOD)

In addition to being entered into the Medical Department Journal, any other important occurrences are reported by the senior representative of the medical activity to the OOD (or other proper official) for entry into the duty log or journal of the command. Items such as injuries or death of personnel and damage, destruction, or loss of Medical Department property are reported. The names of patients in serious condition are reported directly to the commanding officer and the OOD, with the information necessary for notification of the patient's next of kin.

SICK CALL TREATMENT LOG
Alog referred to as the Sick Call Treatment Log is maintained for each ship or activity. The log contains each patient's reporting date and time, name, rate, social security number, command, division, complaint, diagnosis, treatment, disposition, and departure time from sick call. When full, the log is retired in accordance with SECNAVINST 5212.5.

BINNACLE LIST
The Binnacle List, NAVMED 6320/18, is used to excuse an individual from duty for a period of 24 hours or less. This report is prepared by the senior medical department representative on board and should be submitted to the commanding officer no later than 0930 each day. This form contains a list of individuals recommended to be excused from duty because of illness. The list is approved by the commanding officer, and no names may be added without the CO's permission.

MORNING REPORT OF THE SICK
The Morning Report of the Sick, NAVMED 6320/19, is used to excuse an individual from duty for a period of more than 24 hours. This report contains a list of the sick and injured, including names, diagnoses, and conditions. It is prepared by the senior medical department representative on board and is submitted to the commanding officer by 1000 daily.

When it is necessary to excuse someone from duty after the Morning Report of the Sick is submitted, add the patient's name to the Binnacle List, and submit the appropriate report to the commanding officer. If a patient is still unfit for duty when the next Morning Report of the Sick is submitted, add his name to the NAVMED 6320/19 as of the date on which his name was first entered on the Binnacle List. If a satisfactory diagnosis cannot be established, simply note "Diagnosis undetermined" and indicate the chief complaint. Report suspected cases of malingering to the commanding officer.

TRAINING LOG
All lectures and training periods that are part of the medical training program should be recorded in the Training Log and a notation made in the Medical Department Journal. The entries should include the date, location, type of training (GMT, etc.) or subject matter, and what department personnel received the training (Engineering, Deck, etc.).

IMMUNIZATION LOG
To aid you in annotating health records and filling out monthly medical reports, develop and maintain an immunizations log. As the minimum, the information should include the date; name; rank; social security number; immunization type; duty station; and, for personnel receiving PPDs, a contact phone number. There should also be space for adverse reactions.

WATER TEST LOG
The purpose of the water test log is to record the readings of daily residual chlorine or bromine levels and the weekly bacteriological examinations required on potable water aboard ship and in the field.

APPOINTMENT LOG
The purpose of the appointment log is to track medical consultations and clinical appointments that are scheduled by the Medical Department. When a patient is unable to keep an appointment, a notation indicating both the cancellation and rescheduling of the appointment should be made in the log. Multiple appointment cancellations by the same member should be brought to the attention of the member's chain of command.