Currents
At our Oct. 17 communications meeting Hal Currey, administrator, Facilities and Capital Projects, gave an overview of construction projects that are in the planning stages or are underway. While our long-term strategic plan includes construction of a new hospital facility, in the meantime we must move forward with renovation of our current facility. These projects, as listed below, will ultimately affect the work areas of many Medical Center employees.We are in the final weeks of preparation for the JCAHO survey which is scheduled for the week of Nov. 6. Listed below are highlights from our communications meeting presentations on key policies and procedures that enable us to fulfill JCAHO standards.
W. Stuart Smith
Vice President for Clinical Operations and
Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center
Dr.
Pam Cipriano, administrator, Clinical Services, accepts the Medical Center
Exceptional Leadership Award presented to her by Marc Williams, manager,
Clinical Neurophysiology, and chair of the APPLAUSE committee.
Exceptional Leadership Award
- An Exceptional Leadership Award was presented to Pam Cipriano, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, administrator, Clinical Services. Marc Williams, manager, Clinical Neurophysiology, and chair of the APPLAUSE committee, stated that this award serves to recognize Cipriano's outstanding leadership and innovation during her years of service with the Medical Center. Williams mentioned that Cipriano will be greatly missed. Cipriano has accepted a position at the University of Virginia Health System as their chief clinical officer effective Nov. 17.
- The flu vaccine for Medical Center employees will be given every Friday from now through December (or until the stock is depleted) in the Infection Control office (Rooms 281 and 282 of the Main Hospital). A schedule for evening, night and weekend staff will be distributed in the near future. If managers would like to schedule flu vaccine distribution at staff meetings after the JCAHO visit, please contact Jodell Johnson at 792-4308 or your Infection Control Practitioner.
- Henry Hargrove, director, Radiation Safety, reviewed the procedures and precautions used when administering and handling therapeutic doses of radionuclides and I-131 therapy treatments. It is extremely important to know and follow these procedures to prevent contamination. Copies of this material were distributed to the management team and additional copies are available by contacting Hargrove at 792-4255.
- Hal Currey, administrator, Facilities and Capital Projects, stated that a substantial amount of construction is ongoing or in the planning process. Currey shared the following summary of the major projects.
- Heart and Vascular Center—Renovation of the fifth floor Children’s Hospital to create a consolidated center for cath labs and interventional radiology. It will contain 11 procedure rooms, holding and recovery bays, waiting area and appropriate support space. Construction is projected to being in April 2001.
- Medical Center Operating Rooms—fourth floor—Design and renovate space which includes surgery and ICU waiting area, PACU and holding, five existing ORs, six new ORs and replacement flooring in the public corridors for the entire fourth floor. Construction is underway and substantial completion is expected by October 2001.
- Medical Center Flooring—Remove existing flooring, prepare and install new flooring on floors five through eight in the main hospital. Replacement will begin on the fifth floor in November.
- Electrophysiology Lab—sixth floor Children's Hospital—This project is to add an EP lab for both pediatric and adult cases. It will replace the lab on eighth floor of the Clinical Sciences Building. It also includes renovation of the Pediatric Echo and other clinical space in support of the consolidation of Pediatric Cardiology. Construction is underway and substantial completion is expected in March 2001.
- Clinical Science Building Renovation, Phase I and II—Renovations include areas for Bronchoscopy, Dialysis, Electronic Medical Records, Digestive Disease office space, General Clinical Research Center, Assistive Technology Lab, as well as common space and infrastructure. Bronchoscopy construction is scheduled for completion in December. DDC construction is scheduled to begin in November with a projected completion date of August 2001. The remaining projects are in the final design and review processes at this time.
- Morgue Renovation—This project will involve the redesign and renovation of space that has not been renovated since 1955. Work is underway with substantial completion by March 2001.
- Children’s Hospital Exterior Waterproofing—The scope of work will include the removal and replacement of windows, replacement of through wall flashing and reinstallation of brickwork to eliminate water infiltration. The design documents are expected to be completed by January 2001.
- Emergency DepartmentExpansion/Renovation—This project involves interior remodeling to the existing MUSC Emergency Department to allow for additional exam rooms and separation of adult and pediatric patient populations. Also included will be construction of a new ambulance entrance, drop-off area and canopy. Construction is expected to start in February 2001.
- Children’s Hospital Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) upgrades—The existing HVAC system will be repaired/upgraded to include the addition of a mechanical penthouse, replacement of an existing chiller, new pumps, modification of existing air handlers and low temperature chilled water coils as well as work on the exhaust systems. Construction is expected to begin in November.
- Vivian Gettys, coordinator, Hospital Clinical Accreditation and Standards, and Irene Thomas, nurse manager, 6 West and 10 West, discussed highlights of the Medical Center's Patient Rights and Responsibilities and Informed Consent policies. Gettys also provided a listing of questions and answers concerning the Medical Center's staffing plan and practices to meet patient care needs. Handouts were distributed at the communications meeting. Anyone who would like a copy of this information should call Getty's office at 792-9651.
- Pamela Marek, decision support analyst, announced that the HBSI folders containing data for the second and third quarters have been delivered to department directors or business officers. Please review the information, complete any missing elements or indicators, and return to Marek (Room 257 North Tower) by Oct. 31. Anyone who has questions should call 792-8793.