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Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction Surplus Computers Rumor: I've heard that there are computers in surplus or storage that are being donated to other schools, but are only available to the university if the department pays approximately $250 each. Is this true, and, why can't departments at the university have first choice for some of the better computers that are being surplused or donated by the hospital? It may help the university save money if these computers are available. Truth: In January, the State CIO's Office approved a contract for MUSC to purchase up to 500 used Dell GX1 Pentium PC's with 400MHz to 550 MHZ processors from MUHA. The market value of the PC's range from $315-$400+ plus $30 shipping. This contract was developed as an alternative purchase method for university departments with budget constraints as a means to acquire reliable equipment. Any university department interested in purchasing these computers, contact Charlie Adams at CCIT Computer Connection at adamscr@musc.edu or 792-2323.  There are differences in surplus policies between MUSC and MUHA. All MUSC property must be surplused with the state which has the direct authority and responsibility for its disposal or reuse by another agency. The MUHA Purchasing Policy allows for donations of surplus items to a number of community based initiatives and charities. This policy is a way for MUSC/MUHA to give back to our community, and it has been very well received. The decision-making in this process is done by a multi-faceted committee that includes both MUHA and MUSC representation.  Surgery Rumor: I've heard a rumor that there is going to be a central surgery billing department at Rutledge Tower, any truth to this rumor? Truth: This is a true fact and not a rumor. Parking Rumor: Why do some groups have preference for getting parking spots in convenient locations? For example, physicians are assigned a parking spot in the garage on their first day of work. I signed up for parking three years ago, and even though I have been working here for 18 years, I was told that I will have to wait six more years for a  convenient parking spot. Truth: MUSC has Parking and Traffic Rules and Regulations as approved by the highest level of administration. These are constantly evolving and specify three separate waiting lists for parking assignments: 1) faculty; 2) house staff; and 3) classified employees. As spaces become available, individuals are called from the lists according to the following rotation pattern: one faculty member, one house staff member, and two classified employees. This pattern is repeated until available assignments are filled, and starts again as soon as new assignments become possible. Because of the small number of faculty relative to the entire employee  population, this method does result in a short wait or no wait for the faculty group (to which all physicians belong). House staff wait longer, and the larger classified employee group considerably longer. While the university would prefer that every interested employee have an opportunity to obtain the most convenient parking in the most timely manner possible, this is not realistic given the limited number of spaces available at this time. The current three list policy was developed to be as fair as possible in allocation of parking opportunities to all employees while clearly acknowledging the special recognition that faculty deserve in an academic institution. Since the early 1980s implementation, the policy has been reviewed and modified several times to benefit  the classified employee group. The most recent (fall 2000) review by the university parking committee resulted in a general policy reconfirmation, but with the number of classified employees called in each round of assignments doubled from one to two. Because most faculty needs have been met and because house staff frequently decline a reassignment when offered, classified employees are receiving more than 75 percent of the parking assignments currently becoming available.  Elevators Rumor: During the past couple of months only one elevator at a time seems to be working both in Harborview Office Towers and in the “A” elevator bank in the Clinical Science Building. I have been told this is being done as a budgetary measure. Does this truly save the university money? Especially given the numbers of employees who spend large amounts of time waiting on the 1st floor?  Truth: The “A” elevator bank in the Clinical Science Building and the main elevator bank in Harborview Office Tower have a feature that controls the number of elevators operating based on call button demand. When demand is high, all three elevators will operate. When demand is very low, by design, only one elevator will be operate. We've had some problems with both sets of elevators during the past few months and have replaced several operating components on both sets of elevator banks in response to those problems. The three elevators in the Clinical Science Building have had 13, 15, and 21 service calls respectively since April 1. The three Harborview Office Tower elevators have had 19, 12, and 0 service calls since the April 1. In most cases, the elevators have been back in operation within 30 minutes of the time the elevator service contract technician has been notified of the problem.  Administration Fee Rumor: Why are we charged an admin fee under MUHA for processing our pay deductions. Under Hospital Authority we were not charged (I compared my pay stubs from before and after the switch). How much money is MUHA pocketing from employees for doing this? Why were we not informed about this before the switchover (At least I wasn't in any briefing or payroll q and a session).  Truth: The fee for pre-taxed insurance premiums ($0.28) per month is a fee charged by the MoneyPlus administrator of MoneyPlus administrator of the state's flexible benefits program and not a fee charged by the MUHA payroll office to deduct insurance premiums. Since implementation of this plan on Jan. 1, 1989, there has always been a charge for the pre-taxed insurance premiums and for the spending accounts (both dependent daycare and out-of-pocket spending account). This cost to the subscriber is small compared to the tax savings on premiums. As far as any comparison of MUSC checks with MUHA checks, the charge is the same for both MUSC entities. The collected admin fees are sent to the administrator every payroll. If the individual submitting this rumor is enrolled in the pre-taxed insurance account, it should have been deducted from his/her check. This administrative fee has no relation to MUHA's practice, instead it is a State-based program. Wellness Center Instructors Rumor: Every year classes are canceled at the Wellness Center to allow instructors to be terminated and rehired to meet regulatory requirements. There have been signs posted announcing that yoga classes were canceled for the entire month because of regulations. The process of hiring and rehiring the same employees sounds questionable as well as a class being canceled for a month because of OSHA regulations. Truth: Temporary positions must follow long established State laws and procedures in effect to maintain their temporary status—this specifically includes the “termination and rehire” cycle that you question. It is also against state policy for such an employee to work in a position for more than two consecutive years at a time. Departments decide to classify such positions as temporary for several reasons including limited budgets for benefits and not having permanent positions established or available for a function (in fact, some of the instructors work as little as five hours a week). Also, placing them in a temporary position provides the department with greater flexibility. The OSHA training is mandatory under state law, but our safety staff is flexible in trying to accommodate the most convenient schedule. Level 1 trauma facility status Rumor: It seems that I find out more about what's going on with the hospital through the local news stations than through internal channels like the Catalyst, broadcast alerts or news handed down by supervisors. The latest thing I caught on the news was  something about the hospital losing its level 1 trauma facility status. I would think that with MUSC being the only level 1 trauma facility in the area and with the extensive renovations to the ER, MUSC would be trying to keep this status. What's the real story? Truth: This was one of three inquiries received on the Rumor Mill during the last week about a rumored closing of the Trauma Center. Following are the facts that answer  all three. The MUSC Medical Center has no plans to close the Trauma Center.  These news stories may be based on numerous news articles which have recently appeared throughout the nation about closures of trauma and emergency medicine services. The high cost of malpractice insurance as well as the long hours and the low reimbursements have made it difficult to recruit physicians for trauma services and has caused the closure of many trauma centers throughout the country. MUSC is one of the leaders in working with the State and with our legislature to ensure adequate funding for trauma services so that we do not experience the problems encountered in other states.  Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.    Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.