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To Medical Center Employees:
At the recent Board of Trustees meeting Frank Clark, Ph.D., MUSC Chief Information Officer reported on progress made with the request for proposals (RFP) process to select a primary partner or primary partner consortium for a tightly integrated patient safety-focused clinical information system.  The “single vendor” system envisioned will enable the Medical Center to move toward a highly integrated system to replace over time the current poorly integrated systems.  Six responses were received and evaluation of the proposals is underway.  Dr. Clark explained to the board that his intent is to bring forward a “short list” recommendation to the board in February 2004 and arrive at selection of a single partner and contract details for board approval in April 2004. 

The external auditor also reported to the board. The auditor gave a “clean audit” report. Thanks to all concerned for a job well done. Lisa Montgomery, Administrator, Finance and Support Services, gave an update on the Medical Center’s financial status and the highlights are summarized below.

On other matters, recently Ms. Montgomery was asked by MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D, Ph.D., to serve as interim MUSC vice president for finance and administration. She will formally assume her interim role in January and will also continue to serve as the Medical Center Administrator, Finance and Support Services.

As we approach the winter season and the possibility of icy road conditions, everyone needs to be familiar with our policies concerning hazardous weather. These policies are available on the Medical Center Intranet and include: Medical Center Human Resources Hazardous Weather and Emergencies policy #13, Medical Center Staffing During Emergency and Disasters policy #A-42, and Medical Center Weather Emergency Plan policy #A-64. #A-64.  Good planning and communication should minimize disruption in the event of a winter storm.

As we close out another successful calendar year, thanks to all for a job well done in providing high quality care and services. I wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

Sincerely, 

W. Stuart Smith
Vice President of Clinical Operations and
Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center
 

MUSC Named Red Cross’ Number One Donor


Annie Lovering, Red Cross, announced that MUSC was named Donor of the Year for 2003 with more than 1,900 pints of usable blood donated. MUSC shared top five honors with Channel 2 News, the Citadel, College of Charleston, and Fort Dorchester High School. 

Currently, the employee blood competition is in full swing, with Out for Blood in first place, Doing IT for Life in second, and B Positive! in third. Lovering reminded managers that the competition for this semester doesn’t conclude until Dec. 31, so there is still plenty of time for other teams to take the lead. 

MUSC Donor room hours during the holidays will be as follows: 

  • Monday, Dec. 22: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 23: 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 30: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 31: 10 a.m.- 5p.m.
  • Closed Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1.


Regular hours will resume on Jan. 6. To make an appointment through Health Connection, call 792-0219 and press one. To reach the donor room, press two. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments take preference.

Medical Center Financial and Activity Update
Lisa Montgomery, Administrator, Finance and Support, and John Cooper, Finance Director, updated the management team on the Medical Center’s financial status as of the end of November, 2003. 

The actual net income to date this fiscal year (end of November) was $5.5 million compared to $5.2 million for the same period last year.  The $5.5 million fell short of the budgeted $6.6 million, however typically our financial performance is stronger in the second half of the year and we remain optimistic that we will meet the budget. 

Patient activity (e.g. admissions, patient days, outpatient visits, operating room cases, etc.) continues to exceed last year’s levels. Despite our increased activity, the full time equivalent (FTE) positions (as measured by the industry standard adjusted occupied bed) is 6.2 which is slightly better than the UHC 50th percentile.

Montgomery emphasized that days of operating cash available remains low and underscores our need to carefully monitor costs. As we prepare for the future our net income must continue to increase in order to finance and operate the new Phase I hospital facility.

Updates

Helena Bastian, Medical Center Human Resources Director, told managers that effective with the pay period beginning December 14th, the Medical Center would further track productive versus non-productive hours for education and orientation hours. Timekeepers should review copies of Print Screen Instructions in the Green Payroll Manual (Kronos Section 3) for manually entering Education and Orientation Hours for hourly and exempt employees. List of Time Clock Function Keys for Education (F9) or Orientation (F10) are also included in Section 3 of Payroll Manual. If timekeepers need additional training, they should contact Vicki Nash at 953-8744.

Bastian reminded managers to submit all due performance evaluations before Christmas and reminded managers that PTO “cut off” date is January 10 and any hours over the allowed maximum would be lost. 

Rosemary Ellis, Quality director, mentioned the seventh JCAHO National Patient Safety Goal, which involves handwashing. She mentioned that the second goal, concerning readbacks, has been further defined concerning readbacks of critical tests.