Changes continue for MOMMC

  • Published
  • By Capt. Johnathan Anspach
  • 99th Medical Group

The Defense Health Agency has approved construction projects designed to modify and modernize the Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center’s (MOMMC) existing facility infrastructure in support of a major initiative to attain trauma center accreditation.

These projects are essential since the 2017 Nation Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) identified the hospital as one of four pilot sites to receive trauma accreditation. MOMMC will begin to evaluate and treat civilian, non-DoD patients at military medical treatment facilities, in an effort to increase access to critical care in military communities and provide training platforms to support ready medics.

Recently, MOMMC has become home to a number of temporary phasing facilities (TPFs), which are a key aspect of the facility construction projects, providing swing space for the expansion of capabilities and bed capacity.  

While the facility began seeing civilian critical care patients on Aug. 1, 2020, there are still a number of areas that require upgrades before it can meet the end goal of becoming a certified trauma center.

The first phase of construction entails renovating and adding space to the Emergency Department, which upon completion in November of 2021, will have expanded services to include two trauma bays. The laboratory and dining hall will also undergo renovation and modernization during this time, and are expected to be complete in March of 2022.

The next construction project is slated to begin in early 2021 and will encompass many of the inpatient units to include the Multiple Services Unit, Critical Care Unit, Labor and Delivery and other specialty clinics.

Following the completion of the renovations in late 2023, MOMMC will have expanded bed capacity from 50 to 100 beds, which will allow the facility to handle a higher volume of critical care and trauma patients. 

With additional capabilities being added within the walls of MOMMC, some of the primary care services are moving to a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). The specific location for the CBOC is under review and once it is open, it will provide Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Health, Women’s Health and ancillary services. The expected CBOC completion is late 2023.

In addition to the construction projects at MOMMC and Nellis AFB, Creech AFB has started a military construction project to build and update the medical facilities located there. The scope of the project will span multiple sections to include Dental, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Speech and Audiology, Bioenvironmental Engineering, Immunizations and Behavioral Health with a projected construction completion date by mid-2023.

Upon construction completion and trauma accreditation, MOMMC will be equipped and staffed around-the-clock to provide care for patients who suffer from traumatic injuries such as gunshot wounds, falls or car accidents. MOMMC will also be able to expand health care services to DoD beneficiaries, the local community, and increase the readiness opportunities for its medical staff.