CurrentsTo Medical Center Employees:A series of Medical Center town hall meetings will be held during Jan. 22 to 31. The schedule of times and locations is included in this newsletter. The agenda will include a progress report on our goals, discussion of the employee perspectives survey roll out plan, an update on standards implementation and discussion of other topics of interest. In consideration of everyone’s time, we plan to limit the town hall sessions to 45 minutes. Attendance is highly encouraged.Our MUSC Excellence initiative includes training in a number of best practices including AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation and Thank You). Through use of these key words at key times, we will reduce patient anxiety, improve clinical outcomes, and increase patient and staff satisfaction. AIDET has a proven track record of increasing patient satisfaction survey results. The question has been raised by a number of individuals concerning the necessity of always going through every step of AIDET, particularly with repeat encounters. It is not always necessary to go through every step. For instance, a phlebotomist may use all AIDET steps the first time blood is drawn from a patient, but on the next encounter go through the “A” and “I” and explain the same process will be followed. AIDET should be used as a structure for communication and we should use good judgment with the steps appropriate for any situation. We began the roll out of AIDET training in August 2006. Our plan is for all current employees to complete AIDET training by March 17 and have the AIDET behavioral assessments reported in CATTS (training system) by April 15. I ask that all training be completed for current employees on time. In the near future we will shift our focus to training new hires while having annual AIDET updates through CATTS or other mechanisms for current employees. On another matter, as we approach the winter season and the possibility of icy road conditions, everyone needs to be familiar with our procedures for weather emergencies. Managers, business officers and others are asked to ensure that departmental plans for implementation of the Medical Center Weather Emergency Plan policy #A-64 and Human Resources Hazardous Weather and Emergencies policy #13 are well communicated. The policies can be located on the Medical Center intranet. Sincerely, W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center January Town Hall Meetings Jan. 22, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., IOP; Jan. 23, 6:45 to 7:45 a.m., Room 100, BSB, and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., SEI; Jan. 24, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 3 to 3:30 p.m., and 6 to 7 p.m., SEI Auditorium; Jan. 25, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., 2 West Amphitheater; Jan. 26, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., IOP, and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 2 West Amphitheater; Jan. 29, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2 West Amphitheater; Jan. 30, 1 to 2 p.m., 2 West Amphitheater; Jan. 31, 9 to 10 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m., 2 West Amphitheater. Health First, JCAHO, pharmacy updatePat Votava, manager of the Medically Fragile Children’s Program, shared an MUSC Excellence win. She reported that 16-year-old Nikki, who performed at the second MUSC Excellence Leadership Development Institute (LDI), sang the song, “This Little Light of Mine,” at Gov. Mark Sanford’s Prayer Service at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia. Her performance was part of the Jan. 10 inaugural activities.MUSC Specialty Care North Howard Evert, M.D., University Medical Associates (UMA) outreach director, announced the opening of MUSC Specialty Care North practice on Jan. 16. The new, three-story facility, is located at 8992 University Blvd., in North Charleston, adjacent to Charleston Southern University and Trident Hospital. It was developed by UMA in cooperation of many of MUSC’s clinical departments. Eventually, MUSC will occupy the first and second floors of the building with multiple specialty clinical services including cardiology, cardiovascular imaging, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, OB-high risk, otolaryngology, pulmonology, rheumatology, speech pathology, etc. In March, the facility will open a full radiology/imaging services featuring a 16-slice CT scanner and ultrasound, vascular surgery and other specialties on the first floor. Currently, UMA is evaluating with other clinical services to provide for remaining space on the first floor. Evert also encouraged managers and physicians to consider referring patients to Specialty Care North for diagnostic and laboratory work and phlebotomy services. In the meantime, Evert invited hospital staff to one of two open houses scheduled on Thursday, Feb. 8 (referring physicians) and Saturday, Feb. 24 (general public). Health screenings are being planned for the public opening. The facility joins MUSC psychiatry services, pediatrics, obstetrics, and other MUSC clinical specialty services elsewhere in the North Area. Call 876-2700 to schedule an appointment and information about the new facility. Pharmacy update Paul Bush, PharmD, director of Pharmacy Services, announced management team changes in Pharmacy Services following the retirement of Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Services manager Bobby Bradham in December. The new Pharmacy Services management team includes Heather Kokko, PharmD, manager of Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Services; Carole Small Russell, manager, Adult Inpatient Pharmacy Services; Joe Mazur, PharmD, manager of Clinical Pharmacy Services; Matt Maughan, PharmD, interim manager, Children’s Hospital Pharmacy Services; and Chris Fortier, PharmD, interim manager, Pharmacy Support Services. Kokko was former manager of pharmacy support services and was responsible for procurement, the investigational drug service, compounding and pharmaceutical distribution. She also worked with UMA clinics regarding their medication orders. Bush extended an invitation to managers to attend any of Pharmacy Services’ weekly Wednesday management team meetings to relate their concerns, understand their operation, etc. Fortier shared details of a great opportunity last September teaming MUSC Pharmacy Services and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists in a film and production project. The project featured filming of MUSC pharmacists and residents in two national marketing campaigns to promote the role of hospital pharmacy services and the value of pharmacy residency training. Fortier debuted the 30-second public service announcement, which will be distributed to national TV markets and with Spanish Univision TV. JCAHO update Lois Kerr, accreditation manager, gave an update on the focused JCAHO medical record review. She reminded managers that it is imperative for MUSC to meet full compliance (average of 90 percent) to policies by mid-April. MUSC continues to perform well regarding prohibited abbreviations and documentation of time-outs. The Medical Center has improved compliance to PRN orders (96 percent); isolation precautions documentation (95 percent); and resume orders (100 percent). However, improvements are still needed with transfer forms, which include proper documentation. MUSC’s policy states that staff must document details as to who sent the patient and who received the patient (80 percent); and the proper signing and dating of verbal orders (57 percent). Another area of concern is the equal process of handling samples in clinics. This focused on proper record keeping in the medical record of all sample orders. Kerr reminded managers that success for compliance in most of these areas are a reflection of a team effort connecting nursing, physicians and pharmacy focusing solely on the safety of patients. Health First report Annie Lovering, Employee Wellness coordinator, provided an update with program activities. First, she reported that Michael Irving, clinical services administration, provided some technical assistance in developing the Health First Web site, http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/news/health1st.htm. The Web site will now include flyers promoting upcoming workshops and programs throughout the year. Lovering reminded managers of the 2007 Health Expo from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 18 at the Harper Wellness Center. Featured for the event are worksite screenings and presentations on Sleep Hygiene and a Weight Loss Seminar. Other health and wellness programs being offered this winter:
Helena Bastian, director of Human Resources, reported that Pay for Performance increases was reflected in Jan. 17 paychecks. Fiscal year 2006-2007 pay for performance ranges were 3 percent (meets); 4 percent (exceeds); and 5 percent (substantially exceeds) and were based on an employee’s evaluation completed during 2006. Bastian welcomed the Quovadx staff, formerly CCIT, who officially joined MUHA as of Jan. 1. She also reminded managers of the campus’ new smoke-free policy. The revised policy was promoted via broadcast messages and a letter from MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D. The Medical Center’s policy, A-36 Smoke-Free Facility, may be accessed on the intranet at http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/policy/Med/A36.pd.
Education roll-out update Laurie Zone-Smith, clinical services administration manager, reviewed details from the Educational Roll-out committee’s Jan. 4 meeting. The committee reviewed details about a medication storage in non-pharmacy areas policy (C-140) as part of JCAHO’s findings. They also discussed a new preoperative antiseptic bathing policy (C-139) for patients (this does not apply to pediatric patients currently) and a new Mayday form (CPR). HILO Evacuation Endotrachial Tubes are being trialed with adult patients in the ED and ICU for patients who will be intubated for 48 hours or more. These tubes have shown effectiveness in preventing ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Also the medication safety team requests that nurses utilize the MAR discrepancy reports for any question on MAR. “I Got Caught” Campaign Katy Kuder, manager of volunteer services and MUSC Excellence Reward and Recognition Team leader, distributed “I Got Caught” stickers and “Catch a Shining Star” cards as a way to thank and recognize staff for helpful acts and services with patients and each other. This peer-to-peer appreciation campaign reinforces MUSC Excellence’s Standards of Behavior using AIDET and key words training. Managers are reminded to use and distribute the stickers to staff as a way to reinforce good acts. Announcements Irving also related changes to the MUSC Excellence LDI #5, which will now be held Feb. 27 and Feb. 28. The event will begin with registration from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Breakfast is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. with sessions to immediately follow. Upcoming Linkage Grid Reminder: Managers should communicate the revised Applause program to staff or invite Rewards and Recognition Team member to an upcoming staff meeting. Staff are asked to complete this by Jan. 31. Visit its Web site at http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/MUSCexcellence/. Friday, Jan. 19, 2007 |
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