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Currents
Our local American Red Cross Blood Services representative,
Beth Medved, alerted us to the Red Cross's full appeal for blood donation.
Blood levels are critically low, and the Red Cross has declared a state
of emergency. The MUSC bloodmobile schedule is listed below, and I encourage
everyone to make an effort to donate. If you have questions or would
like to schedule an appointment for blood donation, please contact Ms.
Medved at 792-3340 or 852-2922.
On another matter, this newsletter has been distributed by hard copy
and e-mail to all MUSC employees since 1994. When this newsletter was first
developed, the goal was to communicate issues of concern about change management
to all employees. We decided to continue the newsletter when we adopted
communication as an organizational priority. More recently, this newsletter
has been included on a regular basis as a section in The Catalyst. The
Catalyst's drop sites have been greatly expanded to ensure easy access
for all employees.
To save costs and avoid duplication of effort, we will discontinue the
hard copy of this newsletter. It will continue to be distributed
by e-mail and in The Catalyst. Anyone who has questions about The Catalyst's
drop sites should contact Donna Bailey at 792-3894 in the Department of
Public Relations.
W. Stuart Smith
Vice President for Clinical Operations
Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center
Joint Commission Personnel File Audits
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Susan Carullo, manager of Medical Center Employment, Compensation and Employee
Relations, and Vivian Gettys, JCAHO program manager, presented results
of a self-audit of personnel files recently conducted at the Medical Center.
A significant number of files were reviewed, using the JCAHO's competence
assessment grid. Items reviewed included job descriptions, licensure/certification,
orientation information, including general and service area, and performance
evaluations, including age-specific competency.
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In general, the audit indicated progress has been made, but improvement
is needed. Managers and others responsible for competency assessment documentation
in personnel files must make sure that all necessary documents are accurate
and current. Performance appraisals must be completed in a timely manner
and according to our policy.
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Gettys emphasized the importance of documenting staff competence. She said
the Medical Center has developed a uniform approach to competency assessment
to meet JCAHO standard HR.5, which includes the following major points:
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Performance evaluation is based on job description.
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Clearly address age groups served.
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Assessment of employee competence, including age-specific competency,
is rated and documented.
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Carullo reminded the management team to include an age-specific statement
in the position description and performance appraisal (EPMS). If required
duties involve direct patient care, it is important to identify the patient
population in the position description and performance appraisal. In order
to make sure age-specific documentation is sufficient for positions that
require direct patient care or patient contact, forms have been developed
that need to be attached to the performance appraisals.
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Gettys strongly encouraged each area to review the JCAHO guide to be sure
steps are taken to fulfill competency assessment standards through staff
education and proper documentation. Gettys pointed out that the JCAHO surveys
focus on competency assessment by reviewing personnel files, conducting
staff interviews, examining policies and procedures, reviewing training
and orientation records, and examining other reports.
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If you have questions or need copies of the age-specific competency forms
that Gettys distributed several months ago, please contact her through
e-mail (gettysv).
Cutting Unnecessary Expenses
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Several weeks ago, Lisa Montgomery, administrator for Financial Services,
asked the management team to brainstorm a variety of ways to cut expenses.
Recently, Dan Murphy, business manager for Transplant Administration, wanted
to try to curb expenses by using office furniture from the warehouse, rather
than purchasing new furniture. When he went to the warehouse, he noticed
a large supply of office furniture, but was told he could only choose from
several surplus items.
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Sandra Wade, director of Facilities Management, explained that the warehouse
stores both storage and surplus items. The majority of furniture that Murphy
noticed is used furniture that the Medical Center keeps to supply to particular
areas, when appropriate, instead of purchasing new items. The Medical Center
also uses these items to furnish temporary offices during interim departmental
moves. If you have questions about items stored in the warehouse,
please contact Pam Verdery at 792-4837.
Announcements
August Horseshoe Bloodmobiles
Tuesday, Aug. 10: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 18: 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 27: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 31: 8 a.m. - noon
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Please call Beth Medved at 852-2922 with any questions, to schedule an
appointment to donate, or to find out how you can help the American Red
Cross Blood Services.
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Platelet donors also are needed to help cancer and leukemia patients. Please
contact the MUSC Apheresis Center in room 267, Main Hospital at 792-3340
or 852-2922.
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