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MUSC Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction  Crocs What’s the status of crocs and other similar footwear Answer: The Nursing Research Council has been investigating the issue of footwear among nursing staff and has not made any recommendations to change policy at this time. A survey is being planned to examine the issue. Attention to the controversial issue of Crocs as appropriate footwear for nursing staff has been noted on a national level, with concerns being raised regarding OSHA standards for bloodborne pathogens. A safety bulletin published in May by the Georgia Hospital Association indicated that the American Nurses Association (ANA), OSHA and the manufacturer for Crocs were consulted regarding this issue, and concluded that "employees should wear shoes that protect from blood or other potentially infectious material splashing." OSHA does not specify a brand of shoe that should or should not be worn. ANA has partnered with the manufacturer of Crocs to offer a non-ventilated professional model of Crocs. Paid time off I had outpatient surgery (vasectomy) in the urology department and took two days off from work to recover. Twenty-four hours were taken away from my paid time off. Is this right? Answer: MUHA’s Paid Time Off Policy #18 allows for direct access to an employee’s extended sick leave (ESL) in instances when an employee’s illness or injury results in hospitalization and/or inpatient or outpatient surgery/procedure. ESL may be utilized from the date of admission and/or procedure. An outpatient surgery/procedure is defined as surgery/procedure that requires sedation and/or anesthesia (beyond local anesthesia) and recovery period. A vasectomy typically requires local anesthesia and would not meet the eligibility requirements to receive direct access to ones ESL. Parking I heard that a parking garage may be built in the future at the Hagood lot. Answer: There are no plans for this. Body piercings I have heard that there is an  human resource  policy that protects employees with body piercings...i.e., nose, lips, eyebrows. In other words, it is considered acceptable attire. Is this true? Answer: No. Jewelry should be conservative in style and kept to a minimum to prevent loss or injury to self or patients. Visible pierced body jewelry is limited to two small pairs of earrings in each earlobe. Other pierced body jewelry is not in compliance with MUHA policy. Parking I read in the Rumor Mill and in the ART Web site that patients will be parking in the Courtenay (County) garage. What will happen to the employees who are parking in the garage now that are not on the existing waiting list. Will they be notified first about an available parking space in the Bee Street Garage? Answer: Patients going to Ashley River Tower will park in the Courtenay Garage. However, it is not anticipated that MUSC employees who currently are registered to park in the Courtenay garage will have to relocate in order to accommodate them. The opening of the Bee Street Garage next fall will add flexibility to the system and may allow people currently parking in the Courtenay Garage to voluntarily move their assignment to the new garage if desired. E*Value My manager said that if you anonymously submit an evaluation (on-the-fly evaluation) on E*Value regarding a physician, that it does not get addressed? Some do not feel comfortable with submitting their name in fear of retaliation. Is this true? Answer: An on-the-fly evaluation of a resident, whether a positive praise card or a negative concern card, goes directly, and only, to the resident’s program director, who then has sole discretion and responsibility in determining how the matter should be further handled. Most programs are now working to establish processes for obtaining evaluative input from many parties other than faculty, and it obviously is critical that all such input be managed in a highly confidential manner. Perfume I heard that other hospitals have policies to prevent staff from wearing cologne and perfume due to the rising number of patients who have allergies. I have often found myself resorting to the use of an inhaler after a elevator ride with staff, and have experienced similar problems in exam rooms when here as a patient. Is there any discussion or plan to move towards a more restrictive policy on such an unnecessary and potentially hazardous accessory? If so, would it also apply to university staff or would each human resource department come up with an individual policy? Answer: Medical Center Policy Number A-04 states: “Perfumes, colognes or heavy fragrances should not be worn, as many patients and staff members are offended, become nauseated or experience respiratory distress when exposed to chemical scents or odors.” Medical center employees who are in violation of this policy are subject to disciplinary action. University employees are governed by policies created by the university. The University Human Resources Office should be consulted regarding a similar university policy. Ashley Avenue I heard that  in the very near future Ashley Avenue will become a two-way street instead of a one-way. Answer: This is not a MUSC initiative; however it is being considered by local officials. Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.     Friday, November 1, 2007 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 catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.