AF Form 3899E: Patient Movement Intake/Output Guide

AF Form 3899E: Patient Movement Intake/Output Guide – The AF Form 3899E, officially titled Patient Movement Intake/Output, is a specialized medical documentation tool used within the U.S. Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) system. It ensures accurate tracking of a patient’s fluid intake and output (I&O) during air transport or en route care, which is critical for maintaining patient stability, preventing complications, and supporting clinical decision-making in the unique environment of military patient movement.

Medical personnel involved in AE missions rely on this form as part of the broader AF Form 3899 series of aeromedical patient records. It becomes a permanent part of the patient’s medical record and supports continuity of care from originating medical treatment facilities (MTFs) through flight and to receiving facilities.

What Is AF Form 3899E Used For?

AF Form 3899E records precise measurements of intake and output (I&O) while a patient is in the AE system. This includes during flights, ground staging, or remain-overnight (RON) periods. Accurate I&O documentation helps monitor hydration status, kidney function, fluid balance, and responses to treatment—especially important for patients with trauma, surgical recovery, burns, critical illness, or conditions affecting fluid regulation.

Key features:

  • Measurements are recorded in milliliters (mL).
  • The form has a front and back for comprehensive logging.
  • I&O totals are calculated at the end of each mission, shift, or time period specified by the ordering privileged provider (e.g., every 8 or 12 hours).

This form is one of several supporting documents in the 3899 series, alongside forms like the 3899 (main Patient Movement Record), 3899A (Progress Note), 3899D (Hemodynamic/Respiratory Flowsheet), 3899I (Medication Record), and others tailored for en route care.

Who Uses AF Form 3899E?

Any qualified personnel in the AE system can complete it:

  • Privileged providers
  • Licensed clinicians (e.g., nurses, flight nurses)
  • Non-licensed clinicians under appropriate supervision (e.g., aeromedical evacuation crew members – AECMs)

It is commonly used by Aeromedical Evacuation Crews, Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT), and en route care providers during regulated patient movement coordinated through the TRANSCOM Patient Movement Requirements Center (TPMRC) and systems like TRAC2ES.

When and Why Is It Required?

The form supports the Air Force’s en route care mission, which provides time-sensitive movement of casualties and patients to higher levels of care using fixed-wing aircraft (such as C-17 or C-130) with trained medical crews. Fluid balance is vital in flight due to factors like altitude effects, limited resources, motion, and potential delays.

DAFI 48-107V3 (En Route Care and Aeromedical Evacuation Medical Operations) explicitly directs the use of AF Form 3899E for accurate I&O recording in the AE system. It emphasizes totaling I&O at mission or shift end, with parameters set by the ordering provider.

Proper use contributes to:

  • Early detection of imbalances (e.g., oliguria, fluid overload)
  • Better handoff to receiving facilities
  • Compliance with patient safety and documentation standards
  • Support for quality improvement and after-action reviews

How to Complete AF Form 3899E?

While the exact layout is best viewed on the official PDF, the form typically includes dedicated sections for:

  • Patient Identification — Name, rank/grade, SSN/DOB, mission details, and other identifiers linking it to the main AF Form 3899.
  • Intake Columns — Oral, IV fluids, tube feedings, blood products, and other sources. Record date/time, type/amount, and running totals.
  • Output Columns — Urine, emesis, drains, stool, blood loss, and other outputs. Note characteristics if clinically relevant.
  • Shift/Mission Totals — Cumulative intake vs. output, with net balance.
  • Remarks/Notes — Additional observations, interventions, or provider comments.
  • Signatures — Entries by clinicians, with totals reviewed and signed by the responsible provider as required.

Best Practices:

  • Record all measurements in milliliters only.
  • Be precise and timely—document in real time when possible.
  • Total at the intervals ordered (e.g., per shift or mission end).
  • Ensure the form travels with the patient and integrates with the overall 3899 series record.
  • When electronic health records (EHR) are unavailable, the paper 3899 series (including 3899E) serves as the primary documentation.

Always follow the latest guidance in DAFI 48-107 Volume 3 and applicable AE instructions for completion standards.

Download the Official AF Form 3899E

You can download the current version of AF Form 3899E – Patient Movement Intake/Output directly from the official Air Force e-Publishing site:

→ Download AF Form 3899E PDF

This is the authoritative source. Always verify you have the most recent version through e-Publishing or your unit’s medical operations channels, as forms and instructions are periodically updated.

  • DAFI 48-107V1 & V3 — En Route Care and Aeromedical Evacuation Medical Operations (primary governing instructions).
  • AF Form 3899 Series — The full family of patient movement documentation forms.
  • TRAC2ES — System used for generating Patient Movement Requests (PMRs) and related records.
  • Aeromedical Evacuation training materials and AET (Aeromedical Evacuation Technician) references often cover proper use of the 3899E.

For USAF medical personnel, CCATT teams, and AE crews: Maintain familiarity with these forms through initial and recurrent training to ensure mission readiness and patient safety.

Need the form or additional AE documentation guidance? Visit the official Air Force e-Publishing portal or consult your local Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) Patient Administration or Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron for the latest policies.

This article is for informational purposes and references publicly available U.S. Air Force publications and instructions as of the latest available data. Always defer to current Department of the Air Force Instructions (DAFIs), your chain of command, and official e-Publishing sources for operational use.