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Currents To Medical Center employees: Special measures have been taken to ensure all employees, volunteers and contract workers update and document their annual mandatory training, including fire, bloodborne pathogens, hazardous material and other annual requirements during the past few months. Completion of this annual mandatory training is accomplished through a two-step process as explained below. While many individuals have completed the process, continued support and cooperation is needed to ensure all concerned individuals’ annual mandatory training is updated and documented.   As a rule of thumb, any individuals who began work in calendar year 2001 completed their annual training requirement during orientation.  Also employees who have complete documentation of 2001 deMedici training records have met their annual mandatory training requirements. Specific instructions for employees hired before 2001 regarding annual due dates can be provided by respective managers and unit educators.   The annual mandatory training includes two parts: a 30-minute live OSHA training session (see October OSHA training schedule below) and the reading of a “review booklet” and completion of a “post-test” related to the contents of the booklet. Completed post-tests should be sent to Kathie Faulkner, Clinical Services Education (Post Office Box 250347, Room 741 North Tower), or Mary Allen, Safety and Security (Post Office Box 250332, Room 239 MUH). Graded post-tests are returned to the respective manager for employee files. (Any employees who score less than 84 percent are required to retake the post-test.) Test records are stored in a central database managed by Clinical Services Education.   Clinical staff who need a copy of the booklet can download it through the Medical Center Intranet at <http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/training/FSTraining.html> or contact Carol McDougall, Clinical Services Education, at 2-2409 or (mcdougac@musc.edu). A review booklet geared toward support services may be obtained by contacting Mary Allen, Safety and Security, at 792-5176 or (allenmc@musc.edu). This booklet will also be available through the Intranet soon.     Regrettably, the “crash” of the deMedici web-based interactive training system necessitated these special measures to provide this training. This two-step process for updating annual mandatory training will continue to be used until a replacement of the deMedici system can be implemented.  Work is currently underway to replace the deMedici system, but in the meantime we must proceed with this mandatory training update through the process described above.   Arrangements are also being made with the offices of the Director of Graduate Medical Education and Medical Director to ensure that residents and physicians complete the mandatory training.   Also, many departments are conducting or planning their unit-specific competencies (e.g., conscious sedation, point of care testing, BLS, high risk/low volume procedures, etc.) on or around the same time as this annual mandatory training update. Specific instructions regarding unit-specific competencies can be provided by respective managers and unit educators.   State and federal regulatory agencies and JCAHO closely scrutinize training records related to this mandatory training. Failure of any employees to complete the training could result in sanctions to the Medical Center.  Everyone's cooperation is needed in the best interests of the Medical Center and our patients.   Thank you very much. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center Open enrollment set for October During the month of October, Medical Center employees have the opportunity to make changes or add to their health, dental and/or life insurance plans, as well as attend briefings to learn about system-wide changes in coverage and increases in cost of premiums.   Briefings will be held for Medical Center staff members on Friday, Oct. 12, at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in 2 West Amphitheater.   The Medical Center employee benefits fair will be held on Thursday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 107 of the Administration/Library Building.   Janet Browning, manager of benefits, records and training for Medical Center Human Resources, described the changes in the state health, dental and life insurance plans to the Management Team at the Sept. 25 communications meeting. For purposes of insurance, Hospital Authority employees are considered state employees. The changes, which will be effective Jan. 1 include: State Health Plan (Blue Cross Standard and Economy) monthly premiums will increase $12 for employees and retirees, regardless of level of coverage. Subscribers without employer-funded benefits such as COBRA and survivors’ benefits, will be responsible for the employer contribution increase. The State Health Plan (Blue Cross Standard and Economy) will have expanded mental health and substance abuse benefits.  Mental health parity will be instituted, meaning that the current limits on mental health and substance abuse services will be eliminated. Claims for mental health and substance abuse will be subject to the same deductibles, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums as medical claims. As long as treatment is medically necessary and certified by the third party administrator, there are no caps on the number of provider visits allowed and no longer a separate annual and lifetime maximum for these benefits. The State Health Plan (Blue Cross Standard and Economy) will have expanded contraceptive benefits.  Routine contraceptive coverage, including birth control pills, will be added for subscribers and covered spouses. Birth control prescriptions that are filled at a pharmacy will be covered under the same terms as other prescription drugs. Birth control implants and injectibles that are given in a doctor’s office will be paid as a medical claim. The State Health Plan (Blue Cross Standard and Economy) will institute a $100 co-payment for each emergency room visit. This co-payment will be waived if you are admitted to the hospital. Under the MUSC discount policy, this amount will be waived for state employees and dependents without any secondary insurance. For state employees and dependents using facilities other than MUSC, there will be an additional $100 out-of-pocket cost in addition to the usual co-insurance amount. The State Health Plan (Blue Cross Standard and Economy) will institute a $50 co-payment for high cost services such as MRI, CT and X-ray, endoscopy services, ambulatory surgery and other high cost outpatient procedures and diagnostics. This $50 outpatient co-payment will not apply to office visits with physicians in Rutledge Tower, chemotherapy, radiation oncology and physical therapy visits. Under the MUSC discount policy, this amount will be waived for state employees and dependents without any secondary insurance. For state employees and dependents using facilities other than MUSC, there will be an additional $50 out-of-pocket cost in addition to the usual co-insurance amount.  The State Health Plan (Blue Cross Standard and Economy) will increase co-payments for prescription drugs by $2. Generic drugs will now cost $7 and brand name drugs will cost $22 for up to a 31-day supply. A “pay-the-difference” policy will also be implemented. This means if a generic drug is available, and you choose to purchase the brand name medication instead, the benefit will be limited to the cost of the generic medication and you will be responsible for the difference in price. The State Health Plan (Blue Cross Standard and Economy) will increase the annual out-of-pocket maximum per covered person for prescription drugs from $1,000 to $1,100. The State Health Plan (Blue Cross Standard and Economy) will offer voluntary mail service prescription drugs. Generic medication co-payments are $16 and brand name medication co-payments are $50 for up to a 90-day supply. You will receive additional information regarding this service from Merck-Medco prior to the new year. State Health Plan (Blue Cross Standard and Economy) members will enjoy nationwide network coverage with the BlueCard program. With the new program, you will have access to participating doctors and hospitals almost everywhere. CIGNA HealthCare of South Carolina and HMO Blue will not be available for 2002. If you are enrolled in CIGNA or HMO Blue, you must select another health plan for the coming year. MUSC OPTIONS members will have an additional $75 co-payment added for high cost services such as MRI, CT and X-ray, endoscopy services, ambulatory surgery and other high cost outpatient procedures and diagnostics. This $75 outpatient co-payment will not apply to office visits with physicians in Rutledge Tower, chemotherapy, radiation oncology and physical therapy visits and will be limited to three total $75 copayments per year. Under the MUSC discount policy, this amount will be waived for state employees and dependents without any secondary insurance. For state employees and dependents using facilities other than MUSC, there will be an additional $75 out-of-pocket cost in addition to the usual out-of-pocket amount.  During open enrollment month throughout October, all eligible employees, retirees, survivors and COBRA participants may make changes to their health plans. During this period, you can: change health plans; enroll, cancel or add yourself and/or eligible dependents to health coverage and/or the State Dental Plan; enroll or re-enroll in MoneyPlus Dependent Daycare and/or out-of-pocket medical spending accounts; enroll yourself in Optional Life coverage; and enroll your spouse and/or child in Dependent Life coverage   For more information contact Browning at 792-1208 or Katy Kuder at 792-0858. Or call the Benefits Office at 792-0826. Medical Center floor project to be streamlined Given the prolonged time it has taken to complete the flooring project on the fifth floor of the main hospital as well as the excessive cost and noise disruption, hospital officials have opted to use a different flooring system for the remaining work as a stop-gap solution.   Hal Currey, associate dean for Operations, pointed out that beyond the inconvenience caused by the work, the prolonged time factor also results in lost revenue. “Carpet tile seems to be the best alternative,” Currey told the Management Team.   Currey detailed three benefits for using carpet tiles: 1. It is comparatively economical and will also allow the Medical Center to stay within its budget. 2. Installation and replacement is relatively easy, and it permits ease of access to the subflooring.  3. It is aesthetically pleasing.   Work will begin first on floors 8, 9, 10, commencing Nov. 1 and should take 12 days to complete the preliminary work. The total job, including floors 6 and 7, will be completed in one year. Patient rooms will be done in sheet vinyl. Currey said the carpet tiles are hard enough to allow carts and wheelchairs to move easily. Preparation and installation will be done one-half floor at a time. Total project cost is $2.674 million. A.R.E.A. Awards given to those who helped in flood rescue Two facilities management employees were recognized as third quarter A.R.E.A. awardees for their generous assistance of a pregnant woman caught in a flood during a recent rainstorm.   Allyson Ferguson, left, program coordinator, and Pamela Verdery, manager, Construction and Design, receive the third quarter A.R.E.A. award from Marc Williams, manager, Clinical Neurophysiology Services, during the communications meeting. Allyson Ferguson, program coordinator, and Pamela Verdery, manager, Construction and Design, were recognized by the patient and her husband, as well as numerous bystanders, for coming to the patient’s assistance. The patient, who was pregnant, was trapped in her car on Ashley Avenue by high waters. Ferguson and Verdery waded into the thigh-high waters and carried the patient from her car window to dry ground.   Marc Williams, manager, Clinical Neurophysiology Services, presented the award to Ferguson and Verdery at the communications meeting. Outstanding Clinician Award winner acknowledged Robin L. Bissinger, RN, coordinator, Neonatal Practitioners, was acknowledged at the Sept. 25 communcations meeting by Carol Dobos, director, Children’s Services, for receiving the Outstanding Clinician Health Sciences Foundation Award for her extraordinary efforts in the care of newborns.   The award is given to clinicians who commit a significant portion of their time caring for patients in ambulatory or inpatient settings.   Bissinger, who coordinates the Medical Center Neonatal Nurse Practitioner team for the level II and III nurseries and oversees a staff of 15 neonatal nurse practitioners, is credited with developing MUSC’s neonatal service into one of the best in the nation, according to Dobos. In addition to her clinical, teaching and administrative duties, Bissinger serves in leadership positions for state and national organizations. Currently, she is president of the Carolinas Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners and serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. One physician colleague notes that her diagnostic skills are “equal to board-certified neonatologists and she is able to discern the subtlest clinical changes in newborns.” OSHA Presentations Scheduled for October Oct.3, 6 p.m. Storm Eye Auditorium (8th Floor); Oct. 4, 7:30 a.m. Storm Eye Auditorium (8th Floor)Oct. 10, 6:30 a.m. Storm Eye Auditorium (8th Floor); Oct. 11, 1 p.m. Basic Science Auditorium (Room 100); Oct. 16, 6 p.m. Basic Science Auditorium (Room 100); Oct. 19, 9 a.m. Basic Science Auditorium (Room 302); Oct. 22, 7:30 a.m. Basic Science Auditorium (Room 402); Oct. 25, 4:30 p.m. Storm Eye Auditorium (8th Floor)   Late arrivers will not be admitted once the presentation begins. No advance registration is required.  Contact Kathie Faulkner at extension 2-2409 with any questions. (The November OSHA training schedule will be released on or around mid-October.)