AF Form 222: Patient’s Effects/Clothing Storage Tag

AF Form 222: Patient’s Effects/Clothing Storage Tag – AF Form 222, officially titled Patient’s Effects/Clothing Storage Tag, is a specialized U.S. Air Force form used in military medical facilities to securely tag, inventory, and store a patient’s personal belongings and clothing during admission, treatment, or hospitalization. It helps maintain accountability for personal items while ensuring compliance with privacy and chain-of-custody procedures.

The form incorporates or references DD Form 2005 (Privacy Act Statement – Health Care Records), which serves as the required Privacy Act notice for collecting and handling personal information in the Military Health System (MHS). This integration streamlines documentation and ensures patients or sponsors acknowledge how their data is used for medical care, benefits, and administrative purposes.

Purpose of AF Form 222

In Air Force medical treatment facilities (MTFs), patients often arrive with clothing, valuables, electronics, identification, and other personal effects. AF Form 222 acts as a storage tag attached to bags or containers holding these items. Its primary goals include:

  • Preventing loss or theft of personal property.
  • Creating a clear inventory record for accountability.
  • Supporting proper storage and retrieval when the patient is discharged or transferred.
  • Complying with patient administration policies for safeguarding effects during medical care.

This form is particularly important in inpatient settings, emergency departments, or aeromedical evacuation scenarios where patients may be separated from their belongings. Similar processes appear in related guidance, such as DAFMAN 41-210 (Patient Administration) and aeromedical evacuation instructions that reference patient baggage and valuables handling.

Note: AF Form 222 is distinct from forms like DD Form 600 (Patient’s Baggage Tag) used in patient movement or AF Form 1052 (Envelope for Storing Patient’s Valuables) for high-value items.

Key Features and How AF Form 222 Works

The tag typically includes fields for:

  • Patient’s full name, rank/grade, and service details.
  • Date of admission or tagging.
  • Description and inventory of items (clothing, personal effects, valuables).
  • Storage location or bin number.
  • Signature of the staff member completing the tag.
  • Reference to the Privacy Act Statement (via DD Form 2005).

DD Form 2005 provides the legal Privacy Act notice, explaining the authority (e.g., 10 U.S.C. Chapter 55), principal purposes (medical care, eligibility determination, claims), and routine uses of the information. It is not a consent form for releasing health information but informs the patient/sponsor of their rights and how data is protected under the Privacy Act. The June 2016 edition is the current version referenced across DoD and Air Force contexts.

Medical staff attach the completed AF Form 222 tag to sealed bags or containers. Items are inventoried, stored securely (often in a central valuables or effects room), and returned upon discharge with matching documentation to verify chain of custody.

Who Uses AF Form 222?

  • Air Force Medical Service personnel — including nurses, patient administration staff, admissions and dispositions teams, and aeromedical evacuation crews.
  • Patients and sponsors — Active Duty, Reserve, Guard, retirees, family members, and other eligible beneficiaries receiving care in Air Force or joint MTFs.
  • Support roles in inpatient wards, emergency departments, and patient movement operations.

It applies across U.S. Air Force medical operations worldwide, helping standardize procedures for thousands of annual admissions and transfers.

How to Obtain and Use AF Form 222?

Official AF forms are available through the Air Force e-Publishing website (www.e-publishing.af.mil). Search for AF Form 222 in the product index or forms section.

Download links provided:

Important: Always use the most current version from official .mil sources. Do not rely on third-party sites for official use, as forms can be updated. Local MTFs may maintain pre-printed stock or digital templates integrated with electronic health record systems.

Filling instructions (general guidance):

  1. Complete patient identification information accurately.
  2. Itemize clothing and effects clearly (e.g., “1 pair BDUs, 1 wallet, 1 cell phone”).
  3. Note any valuables separately and use supplementary envelopes if needed.
  4. Have the tagging staff sign and date the form.
  5. Attach securely to the storage container and log the storage location per local policy.
  6. Ensure the associated DD Form 2005 Privacy Act Statement is on file in the patient’s record.

For detailed procedures, consult your facility’s patient administration office or relevant Department of the Air Force manuals (e.g., DAFMAN 41-210 for patient administration functions).

  • DD Form 2005 — Privacy Act Statement (serves with AF Form 222).
  • DAFMAN 41-210 — Patient Administration (covers admissions, dispositions, and property handling).
  • AF Form 1052 — Envelope for storing patient’s valuables.
  • DD Form 600 — Patient’s Baggage Tag (used in patient transport).
  • Broader policies on personal effects may intersect with mortuary affairs (DAFI 34-160) or aeromedical evacuation guidance, though AF Form 222 focuses on living patients in medical care.

Privacy protections align with the Privacy Act of 1974, HIPAA-equivalent standards in the MHS, and DoD directives on health records.

Why Proper Use of AF Form 222 Matters?

Accurate use of this form protects service members, veterans, and families from loss of personal items during medical events. It reduces administrative burden, supports audit readiness, and upholds trust in military healthcare. In high-volume or contingency settings, standardized tagging prevents errors in tracking belongings across shifts or facilities.

If you are a patient or sponsor at an Air Force MTF and have questions about your personal effects, contact the Admissions and Dispositions office or the patient advocate. For form-specific issues, reach out to your local medical records or patient administration team.

Official Resources:

This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available U.S. Air Force and DoD references as of 2026. Policies and form editions may change—always verify with official sources for the latest guidance.

Keywords: AF Form 222, Patient’s Effects Clothing Storage Tag, DD Form 2005, Air Force medical forms, military patient property tag, USAF MTF procedures.