Patient liaison officers assist Sabers with local hospitals: translation, policies

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Marcus Thomas
  • 52nd Medical Group first sergeant
Patient liaison officers are health care professionals who work directly with local German hospitals for the purpose of translation for active-duty members and their dependents who require care off-base at local facilities.

PLOs are essential to the provision and receipt of medical care for military personnel and their dependents by German health professionals at the local level. They are professionals and are to be treated with the utmost respect and regard. Currently, there are only three PLOs available to service the four German hospitals that provide care and treatment for active-duty members and their dependents in the Eifel region. There is a critical need for 24-hour coverage for PLOs.

The 52nd Medical Group has received reports that recent breaches of conduct and regulations by service personnel at local German hospitals have threatened the viability of the relationship between Spangdahlem Air Base and the German medical establishment. The following are PLO and host country protocol behavioral requirements:

· Visiting hours: When the business day or visiting hours end, you are expected to leave the office or hospital.

· Avoid confrontational behavior or high-pressured tactics: It can be counterproductive. Workers are protected by strong labor laws that provide them many different rights. They are much more substantial than in the U.S.

· Germany is heavily regulated: Business is hierarchical, decision-making is held at the top of the company. Final decisions are translated into rigorous, comprehensive action steps that you can expect will be carried out to the letter. Once a decision is made, it will not be changed.

· In Germany, change can and does take place. However, it occurs gradually, not always obviously, under the mottoes of stability and permanence, with the least dislocation possible and often under competitive pressures from abroad.

You are an American and your conduct, for good or ill, reflects on yourself, the U.S. Air Force, and our country. While the German management style is not our own, aggressive and violent behavior of any sort will not be tolerated under any circumstance. The following penalties may apply:

· Failing to adhere to acceptable codes of conduct may result in the permanent loss of all rights and privileges to care by the offending parties.

· Additionally, these offenses may result in severe disciplinary or adverse actions against the service member and the offending dependent, including - but not limited to - separation, imprisonment and/or the imposition of fines and other penalties.

It is of particular concern that these infractions have the potential of precipitating an international incident requiring the presence of the Office of Defense Cooperation, as this entity is responsible for the full range of defense cooperation activities in Germany.

If active-duty members and their dependents encounter problems with medical care/service, contact your unit's first sergeant.