Getting S.I.C.K. saves time, money

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Peter Reft
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The next time you plan on making a trip to the Class 6 Shopette or the Base Exchange to buy medicines for treating cold or heartburn symptoms, remember that you have free access to those same over the counter drugs from the 354th Medical Group pharmacy.

The Self-Initiated Care Kit program, or S.I.C.K., allows most service members and dependents to acquire free prescriptions for minor ailments such as fevers, coughs, dry eyes, stuffy noses and even motion sickness. The S.I.C.K. program allows Airmen and families to obtain basic medications from the pharmacy without scheduling a lengthy appointment with a primary care physician.

Anybody assigned to Eielson qualifies for the S.I.C.K. program except pregnant women, flyers, and dependents under the age of 18. Users are limited to three medications per month.

Newcomers to the base will receive their cards during their medical in-processing briefings. Spouses should schedule S.I.C.K. briefings with U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Debra McKitrick, 354th MDG health care integrator to obtain their card.

"It usually takes about 15 minutes," says McKitrick. "They can get their S.I.C.K. card and medications in the same day."

The program offers 22 medications to card holders, including Tylenol, Claritin, Sudafed, Maalox, Mucinex and eye drops. A complete list of available medications can be found at the 354th MDG pharmacy.

Before the S.I.C.K. program was initialized, patients had to schedule appointments with doctors for minor sicknesses that could be treated with commonly accessible drugs.

"S.I.C.K. started in 2007 as a pilot program for the Air Force, first of its kind," said McKitrick. "The reason why they started it was to give people over the counter medications and decrease unnecessary appointment use.

"One of our most commonly diagnosed ailments was an upper respiratory infection or a cold," McKitrick adds, "And there's not much a physician can do for a cold other than treat the symptoms with over the counter meds."

Participants of the program are educated during the S.I.C.K. briefing on how to self-diagnose. The Air Force provides a detailed diagnostic aid called, Take Care of Yourself, a book by Donald Vickery, M.D. and James Fries, M.D.

According to a 2013 report released by the 354th MDG, S.I.C.K. has saved the Air Force approximately $241,000 since its start in 2007. Notwithstanding last year, 3,465 unnecessary appointments have been avoided, enabling physicians to treat patients with a greater need.

A document written by a previous health care integrator, retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Karen Kirk, reads, "Our Self-Initiated Care Kit program was developed in response to patient requests for self care resources and the fact many minor illnesses were consistently in our top 10 diagnosis list each month. The purpose is to empower our beneficiaries to take better care of themselves and their families by taking care of minor illnesses and injuries at home."

For more information on the S.I.C.K. program, contact McKitrick at 377-6529.