AF Form 3899A: Patient Movement Record Progress Note

AF Form 3899A: Patient Movement Record Progress Note – The AF Form 3899A, officially titled Patient Movement Record Progress Note, is a critical document in the U.S. Air Force’s Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) system. It allows privileged providers, licensed clinicians, and non-licensed clinicians to document en route patient care encounters during patient movement missions.

This form serves as part of the patient’s permanent medical record and supports continuity of care for Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries moved via the Air Force AE system, whether in peacetime, contingency operations, or disaster relief.

What Is AF Form 3899A Used For?

AF Form 3899A is one of several forms in the AF Form 3899 series designed specifically for aeromedical evacuation and en route care. While the primary AF Form 3899 (Patient Movement Record) initiates and authorizes patient movement (including validation by the referring provider and clearing flight surgeon), the 3899A focuses on progress notes during transit.

Clinicians use it to record:

  • Changes in patient condition
  • Vital signs
  • Treatments administered
  • Assessments
  • Any interventions or observations made while the patient is in the AE system

It is particularly valuable for standard (non-critical care) patient movements. For critically ill or injured patients transported by Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT), the AF Form 3899L is typically the primary record, with 3899A used for supplemental progress notes when extra space is needed.

Key regulation: Guidance comes from DAFI 48-107 Volume 3 (En Route Care and Aeromedical Evacuation Documentation), which details the use of the 3899 series for promoting continuity of care.

Who Uses AF Form 3899A?

  • Aeromedical Evacuation Crew Members (AECMs)
  • Flight nurses and aeromedical technicians
  • Privileged providers and licensed clinicians
  • Non-licensed clinicians supporting en route care

The form applies across Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, dependents, and other eligible patients. For dependents, the sponsor’s service number (or SSN when needed) is used. Patient status is documented with codes such as AD (Active Duty), NG (National Guard), Res (Reserve), D (Dependent), or O (Other).

How to Complete AF Form 3899A?

The form includes front and back sections for detailed progress notes. Accurate, timely documentation is essential because incomplete records can delay patient movement or compromise care continuity.

Typical elements documented (based on standard 3899-series practices and DAFI guidance):

  • Patient identifiers (name, ID/service number, status)
  • Date and time of each entry
  • Subjective and objective assessments
  • Vital signs and clinical observations
  • Treatments, medications, and interventions provided en route
  • Patient response to care
  • Any changes in condition or significant events
  • Clinician signature, initials, and credentials

Best practices:

  • Use the form alongside the main AF Form 3899 when additional narrative space is required.
  • When using multiple 3899-series forms (e.g., 3899A for notes, 3899B for physician orders, 3899E for intake/output), annotate the primary form with cross-references such as “See AF Form 3899A for additional information.”
  • Electronic health record (EHR) documentation is preferred when available, but the paper 3899 series remains the standard backup for AE missions.

Download the official AF Form 3899A here:
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_sg/form/af3899a/af3899a.pdf

Always use the most current version from the official Air Force e-Publishing site.

The 3899 series supports comprehensive documentation during patient movement:

  • AF Form 3899 — Core Patient Movement Record (initiation and validation)
  • AF Form 3899A — Progress Note (this form)
  • AF Form 3899B — Physician Orders
  • AF Form 3899E — Intake/Output
  • AF Form 3899L — En Route Critical Care (for CCATT missions)
  • Other supplements (e.g., 3899N for pain adjuncts)

These forms ensure all phases of care—ground transport, staging, in-flight, and remain-overnight—are properly recorded.

Why Proper Documentation Matters?

Complete and accurate use of AF Form 3899A helps:

  • Maintain patient safety during transit
  • Support handoffs between teams
  • Meet legal and regulatory requirements (including HIPAA and Privacy Act considerations)
  • Contribute to quality improvement and after-action reviews in the AE system
  • Ensure seamless transition to the receiving medical treatment facility (MTF)

Incomplete or missing information on 3899-series forms can delay missions, as all required spaces on associated records must typically be completed.

Accessing and Training on the Form

U.S. Air Force medical personnel should reference:

  • DAFI 48-107, Volumes 1–3 — Primary instructions for en route care, aeromedical evacuation operations, and documentation.
  • TRAC2ES system — For generating Patient Movement Requests (PMRs) linked to 3899 documentation.
  • Unit training programs within Aeromedical Evacuation Squadrons (AES).

For the latest forms and instructions, visit the official Air Force e-Publishing website (e-publishing.af.mil).

Note: This article provides general informational guidance based on publicly available Department of the Air Force instructions. Always consult current DAFI 48-107 guidance, your local medical operations policies, and supervisors for mission-specific requirements. Clinical judgment remains paramount.

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