Pharmacy reduces miles traveled while serving customers Published July 28, 2010 By Joe B. Wiles 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- An Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century event at the 71st Medical Group has reduced the miles walked by workers in the pharmacy by 53 percent, said Terri Schaefer, the Medical Group's AFSO21 "black belt." The AFSO21-event team was lead by Capt. Christine Tolbert with the 71st Medical Support Squadron, said Mrs. Schaefer. They started meeting in March to collect data on how the pharmacy's physical arrangement affected the work flow. Working with Captain Tolbert were Staff Sgt. Michael Barton, Senior Airman Jared Higgins, Caslyn Dowd, 1st Lt. Ransom Spurlock, Dr. Scott Chance and 1st Lt. Robert Hoggard, all members of the pharmacy team. "Once they had the Medical Group commander's approval of their plan, the team rearranged equipment and furnishings, and on May 26, began a new approach to pharmacy operations," said Mrs. Schaefer. Within the AFSO21 system, those with extensive training are considered "black belts," a martial arts reference to skill levels. Those in initial levels of training begin as green belts. The team discovered that on average, the pharmacy volunteers -- students awaiting pilot training -- walked 4.39 miles a week serving pharmacy customers. The AFSO21 plan reduced the miles traveled to 2.07 per week. In addition to the volunteers saving steps, customers were served from one window. "Before, they had to go from window to window," said Mrs. Schaefer. "Now all business takes place at the first window the customer approaches." The travel savings extended to the back of the pharmacy as well. "Caslyn Dowd, a pharmacy technician, was walking 13.26 miles a week," said Mrs. Schaefer. "The team reduced her average weekly walking to 9.93 miles." For more information on the AFSO21 program, contact Maj. Brian Smith, 213-5215.