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Currents At our Dec. 7 communications meeting, John Franklin gave an update on our Y2K plan. Among other things, a booklet has been prepared to serve as a resource guide to answer questions.  Certain individuals have been designated to be on the job during the critical Y2K period(s). All managers, directors and administrators are expected to be on-call during the critical period(s) and prepared to be at work within two hours, unless approval is given otherwise on an individual basis. A mock JCAHO survey will be conducted Dec. 13-15.  This mock survey will give us a score card to highlight strengths and weaknesses. The next real JCAHO survey is expected in August 2000.  Reportedly, JCAHO has “raised the bar.” We have a lot to do to prepare for the survey.  I realize the Dec. 13-15 mock survey schedule will be inconvenient for some of us during this busy time. Considering the work that needs to be done for the August survey, I do not believe that we have the luxury of waiting until after the holiday period to get things rolling.  Everyone’s cooperation with the mock survey and with prompt follow-up on matters that need attention will be greatly appreciated. On another matter, the Medical Center authority work teams have been busy preparing for the authority implementation, as communicated in previous newsletters.  Some of the work teams have made more progress than others, and the issues to be addressed vary from procedural matters to philosophical issues. In early January, the MUSC leadership team will hold a retreat to review progress made to date, and draft a work plan with a time line for accomplishing various tasks related to the authority implementation.  Progress will be communicated as we move forward. Thank you, and I hope everyone has a happy holiday season.  W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center Y2K update John Franklin, director of Support Services, reviewed the Y2K Medical Center Resource Guide, which includes information about contingency plans, internal and external emergency contacts, and contacts for resources, utilities, suppliers and vendors. The guide will be distributed to administrators, university officials and other key personnel. All MUSC Medical Center management personnel are expected to be able to report to the Medical Center anytime Dec. 31 or Jan. 1, within two hours of being paged, in the event of a Y2K-related occurrence. Team A and Team B response teams also have been assigned. Newspapers Marilyn Schaffner, clinical director of the Digestive Disease Center, Medicine and Oncology, announced new locations for newspapers, effective Jan. 1, 2000. The Post and Courier now will have racks on floors 8, 9 and 10, in addition to the first floor rack. Please inform patients and families that newspapers may be purchased at these locations. Charge Entry Lisa Montgomery, administrator for Financial Services, announced that a memo will be distributed to directors and managers about time lines for charge entry during the holidays. Flu Vaccine Jodell Johnson, R.N., coordinator of Infection Control, reminded the management team that Medical Center and UMA employees can still get the flu vaccine on Wednesdays in December, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Infection Control Office, located in room 281 of the main hospital.  Y2K Message Check out your personal Y2K readiness.