Dental work needed to be PQ'd
The notice I've waited months to get.
PQ stands for Physically Qualified. This was the email I just received from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) - Center for Polar Medical Operations. What follows is an explanation of what it took to get this notice.
The Dry Valleys of Antarctica is one of the most remote locations on the planet. In fact, NASA has been working with the Antarctic Scientists who do research in the Dry Valleys since the environment there is so similar to that of Mars. If we had an emergency out on the Ice that required evacuation, It would take longer to get to a hospital for care than if we would have been on the Moon. Remember, it only takes 3 days to get back to Earth from the Moon. To get back to New Zealand would take at least that long, assuming there were no weather delays for the many different helicopter and airplane trips. Getting medically PQ'd is an issue that those in charge do not take lightly. A minor illness or injury could become a serious issue in that remote location. To prevent these possibilities, Antarctic officials put those wishing to be deployed to the Ice through rigorous medical physical exams. The PQ (physical qualification) process can only begin when expedition members are six months from deployment. That window finally opened up, and I was sent my PQ Packet via email. This packet was 14 pages long. Many other pages, including other lab work, notes from Docs, and other test results, almost doubled the size of this packet that needed to be faxed. Here is what it took to get this packet ready to be faxed to the Docs in Texas who have the final word on saying "yes" or "no" to being fit to deploy:
Steps to PQ (From the UTMB site)
There were instructions as to the order in how to proceed with this process. The diagram above was pulled from my instruction packet. As you can see, the first step was to answer the self-evaluation questions on the first few pages. There were buttons to push which "validated" the information I stated. According to how I answered those pages of questions, I would have a list of blood tests that I would need done. For example, one question asked me if I would be willing to be a "walking blood donor". If there was a serious injury or illness where a blood transfusion would be needed, we all have the opportunity to donate our blood from ourselves to other expedition members in need, basically cutting out the middle man of a blood storage bank. We ARE that blood storage bank. By checking "yes", you were asked to submit to added blood work, like an HIV test.
A few of the tests to be done on my blood.
This is a part of the request form I took with me to the lab that would be drawing my blood. This was a very smooth process. I walked in, gave them this paper, and things were under way.
Blood Draw
My technician did a great job with the needle. You can see my blood filling one of the many tubes that were needed to be drawn. Each tube has a different colored lid which specifies the different test that would be run. As you can see from the smiles on our faces, we were both having the funnest time ever! Results from lab work are now immediately available to patients. No longer do you have to wait for a Doctor to get around to calling you with information. Within a couple of days, I got a note that the results were on my "patient portal" that could be looked up online. All blood labs looked good! So far so good.
The next step was to get my Dental clearance. My little sister, Kristen, is an amazing Dental Hygienist. I started with her. She did my dental exam, cleaned, and did my x-rays. A couple of spots came up on the films. Normally, they would not have been a big deal, not needing immediate attention, but a tooth ache out on the ice would have been a disaster, so the easy decision was made to have the work done.
Kristen, my sister and Dental Hygienist.
This is my Dentist, Dr. Visser, and his Dental Assistant Bailey. They work with my sister and are very skilled in taking care of the worked needed. The staff in his office was very interested to hear of my upcoming expedition. The biggest problem I faced there was having my mouth full of dental tools and hands so I could not answer the many questions they would ask about what my trip would be like. I would try to answer their questions, but between having my mouth all numb, and full of tools, not much was understood. Dr. Visser agreed to signing my form stating that, according to his assessment, my mouth was ready to deploy. Cool...another step done.
Dr. Visser making my mouth PQ quality.
This was the opening paragraph in my packet sent to my Doctor prior to starting my exams.
The note sent to my Doc.
The Earth's ozone layer (located in the atmosphere), which is made up of 3 oxygen molecules attached together, and is our protection against ultra violet radiation, is the thinnest over Antarctica. Knowing this, I made a visit to my dermatologist. She did the usual checks and also gave me the green light, reminding me to use my sunscreen and keep covered up. In the cold and wind I will be experiencing, I don't expect that much a problem.
The most detailed part of this PQ process was yet to come, the Medical PQ from my Doc. He received a 4-page document stating all of the test and exams that needed to be done. Everything from my eyes to the reflexes in my legs, and everywhere in between, were examined. I won't get too detailed here, but every place that could be examined was examined. Almost every type of substance from my body was also tested for infections, diseases, abnormalities, etc. I had an ECG that looked at the electrical system of my heart. You name it, it was done. My Doc told me that from what he was able to test and determine, I was physically fit enough to perform the duties, and live in the extreme conditions that were described in the paperwork. I appreciated his recommendation, but that's all it was...a recommendation. The Doctors who would be making the final decision regarding me being qualified were the Doctors at the UTMB Health Center for Polar Medical Operations. It took about a week or so before I received the email that I posted at the top of this blog. I had been accepted for deployment! I am glad I started early. Had any problems been discovered, I might have still had time to address any concerns discovered by all those tests and exams.
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