internal structure of the geographic naval medical commands.
The objectives of establishing geographic naval medical commands are to:
Naval hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, and subordinate branches and annexes are assigned responsibility for the care and treatment of the sick and injured in the following order:
The care and treatment of military personnel to expedite their return to full duty.
The prompt disposition of patients who require special treatment not satisfactorily available, or who are physically unfit for retention in the Navy.
To maintain a staff of manpower to meet mobilization requirements (peacetime versus wartime).
Cooperation with other military and civil authorities in matters pertaining to health and sanitation.
The basic organization of naval hospitals, medical clinics, and dental clinics is outlined in figures 8-4, 8-5, and 8-6.
Detailed descriptions of component directorates, special assistants, and committees are contained in NAVMEDCOMINST 5450.1, Organizational Manual for Geographic Naval Medical Commands, Naval Hospitals, Naval Medical Clinics, and Naval Dental Clinics. Hospital and clinic directorates for medical, nursing, administrative, and support functions are responsible for direction of day-to-day operations associated with health care delivery. These directorates are generally comprised of a number of departments and divisions. In addition to the directorates, a variety of committees and special assistants provide staff assistance to the CO/XO.
Medical treatment facilities of the DON are classified as either fixed or nonfixed.
Hospital. A health treatment facility capable of providing limited definitive inpatient care. It provides emergency diagnostic, therapeutic, and related services in general medicine, surgery, preventive medicine, and ancillary services.
Clinic. A health treatment facility that provides limited emergency treatment and outpatient care. A clinic also performs certain nontherapeutic services, such as physical examinations, immunizations, medical administration, and preventive medicine services necessary to support a primary military mission. A clinic maybe equipped with beds for observing patients awaiting transfer to a hospital and for the care of patients who cannot be cared for on an outpatient basis, but who do not require admission to a hospital facility. Patients cannot be kept overnight.