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Currents To MUSC Employees: Recently MUSC (both the university and hospital) received two awards  recognizing the accomplishments of our safety programs. These awards included the Commendation of Excellence award from the S.C. Chamber of Commerce and the Safety Achievement award from the S.C. Occupational Safety Council. The awards recognize our efforts in controlling lost days, injuries, and accident rates. Our success was due to the collective efforts of many, including University Risk Management, Employee Health Services (operated by the College of Nursing), the Medical Center’s Environment of Care Committee and its Injuries Subcommittee and managers’ cooperative efforts in returning injured employees to “light duty” work. MUSC was the only university or hospital in the state to receive these awards. Thanks to all for a job well done. At the May 11 management communications meeting, Pam Marek, decision support analyst, announced that the Solucient O-I reports (department-based input) are due.  Most of the information for this report is automatically provided through various sources including the general ledger (revenue and expenses), payroll system (worked and paid hours) and the patient accounting/registration system (discharges, patient days, and transfers). As indicated in this newsletter, managers are asked to add any particular service-related data to enable very specific benchmarking comparisons.  The Solucient O-I report serves as a key tool to identify performance improvement opportunities and best practices. It enables internal and external trend analyses and comparisons. More than 1,000 hospitals, including more than 50 University HealthSystem Consortium members, submit data, and we have more detailed information sharing agreements with more than 600 hospitals. We need to take full advantage of this powerful tool.  Thank you very much. Sincerely, W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and  Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center   Updates on policies, renovations discussed At the May 11 hospital communications meeting, Helena Bastian presented a Human Resources update on Hospital Authority policy. FSLA In April, the Department of Labor revised the “white-collar” exemptions to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  Human Resources is reviewing current exempt/non-exempt status of MUHA employees. These changes are scheduled to go into effect this August, although it is possible that legislative action underway could block the changes. “In any event, we need to ensure that all jobs are properly categorized according to FLSA requirements,” said Bastian. Managers may be contacted to assist in this review.  Clinical Rotations/Affiliations The 2004 JCAHO HR standards require hospitals to treat students and volunteers providing “patient care” the same as employees in respect to qualifications and competencies. “We are in the process of revising affiliation agreements to comply with the standards as well as to develop a policy and procedures to ensure consistency throughout the organization,” Bastian said. MUHA Human Resources and the University’s HR, are also developing guidelines to address “shadowing” or “observership” process to ensure understanding and consistency.  Tuition Assistance Policy The MUHA Tuition Assistance Policy is in the final review process. Some new interpretations regarding IRS-approved tax exclusions caused a slight delay in finalizing the policy. Bastian said to expect implementation within the next three weeks.  Policy Management Quality director Rosemary Ellis relayed a list of policy changes from the MUHA Policy Management Committee.  They are: A-14 Solicitation Sales, Displays and Exhibits in the MUSC Medical Center—Revised to outline current practices. Contact individual: Betts Ellis, Institutional Relations. A-24 Professional Visitors—New policy to outline respon-sibilities of outside professionals who participate in the MUSC Medical Center continuum of care. Contact individuals: Lynn Nemeth, director of outcomes management. C-37 Against Medical Advice (AMA)—Revised to reflect implementa-tion of “Informed Consent to Refuse Examination, Treatment, Transfer, AMA” form. Contact individual: Rosemary Ellis, director of quality. C-41 Gynecological Examination (chaperoned)—Revised to reflect current practice. Contact individual: Rosemary Ellis, director of quality. C-93 Suicide Precautions—Revised to reflect eating utensils should be plastic. Contact individual: Rosemary Ellis, director of quality. Rutledge Tower Renovations Renovations to Rutledge Tower have begun and will follow three phases, which were outlined by Ambulatory Care administrator Dave Neff.  They are: Phase 1—April 15 through July Expect no changes to patient flow with the exception of the narrowed hallway at the corner of the hallway headed toward the café. Also, the Meditation Room is available at the main hospital on the fourth floor during renovation. Phase 2—July through October Patient flow changes should be expected and will be detailed in future communications meetings so that everyone can assist patients and families with directions during phase 2 and phase 3 of construction Phase 3—October through February 2005 Most functions and patient flow should return to normal during this phase. Action O-I Decision support coordinator Pamela Marek presented three items  Action O-I benchmarking data for reporting period January through March, is due to be completed by May 15. There is one training day available before submittal—May 13, 8 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. in room 220 Clinical Sciences Building Training Room. The report will be submitted by May 28 to Solucient. Then the reports will be available on June 15 for the first quarter.  The reports will now be available online at the Solucient Web site, rather than e-mailing them to each area.  Each area is utilizing the Action O-I workload units and comparisons on the FTE Justification Reports. Remember to annualize your workload indicator since we report on payroll paid hours not actual worked hours.  Volunteer Services Festive Night Out Volunteers and Guest Join us on the deck of Cisco's Cafe 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 25 1114 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., West Ashley Mexican Buffet Provided Beverages—On your own Please RSVP no later than May 14 Medical Center Volunteer Office: 792-7038 or 792-3304 Children's Hospital Volunteer Office: 792-3120     Friday, May 14, 2004 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.