Return to Main Menu

Currents To MUSC Employees: In recent weeks the State Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) conducted three surveys of the MUSC Medical Center. These surveys served different purposes and included a Fire and Life Safety survey, the Medicare Validation survey and the annual licensure survey.     I am particularly appreciative of everyone’s cooperation in responding to these surveys. Understandably, many of us are somewhat weary of surveys, having only recently completed the exhaustive JCAHO survey in November. But, on the positive side, the surveys serve the purpose of ensuring high quality care . . . and we have responded well to these “tests.”     The survey findings indicated that, while some improvements are needed with isolated issues, MUSC is doing an outstanding job. Highlights of the surveys are outlined in the article on this page.  Thanks to everyone for a job well done. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and  Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center   Medical Center clears battery of surveys The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) recently conducted three surveys at the MUSC Medical Center. In each survey, the Medical Center performed to high standards, receiving few citations. The survey teams were very complimentary according to Vivian Gettys, JCAHO program manager, who spoke at the Jan. 9 communications meeting. The HCFA Medicare Validation Survey conducted Jan. 2 - 5 was done to validate the JCAHO survey conducted in November 2000. DHEC, on behalf of the federal government, randomly reviews some 5 to 10 percent of those organizations surveyed by JCAHO, primarily to validate the work of Joint Commission.   The eight surveyors involved in the validation survey only recorded two clinical findings, both related to medical record documentation. “This is a minimal finding,” Gettys said. “Our staff was very professional.”   A DHEC survey was also performed for fire and life safety according to Mary Allen, coordinator of Environment of Care. “This survey was extensive. The inspector checked almost every door and many patient rooms and offices as the facilities were surveyed.” Allen noted the following areas that need attention: Linens need to be removed from hallways; lids on linen bins need to be closed. Deposit soiled linens in the linen chute, laundry room, or dirty utility room. Regular trash needs to be separated from red bags and linens. Oxygen tanks must be stored in an upright position and contained in a tank holder. Wall-a-roos, the portable writing wall units, need to be closed when unattended to prevent injuries from people walking into them and to keep patient information from public view. Hallways need to be clear of obstructions such as linens, tables and chairs. Toaster ovens need to be removed from all areas as these pose a serious fire hazard. And, finally, DHEC performed inspections for the Medical Center's annual licensure. According to Marilyn Schaffner, interim clinical services administrator, the survey went well. “I appreciate the directors taking time out to accompany the surveyors,” she said. New medical-surgical supply system to be installed The Medical Center is in the process of converting to an automated distribution system called Pyxis for medical/surgical supplies that will manage supplies more efficiently and ultimately cut costs, according to Billy Bloods-worth, manager, Service Quality.  Plans are to seek input from the medical staff to ensure smooth implementation.   “Cost savings is what's driving this program,” Bloodsworth said, pointing out that it should have the added benefit of giving nurses and medical staff more time for patient care.   The automatic system will replace the cumbersome use of stickers, manual inventory counts and billing. Pyxis eliminates lost charges, reduces on-hand inventory in central supply and improves accuracy and control of inventory.    Bloodsworth said that Pyxis machines will be placed in current inpatient par area locations on each unit as well as in OR and ambulatory surgery. Units scheduled to receive the machines will be contacted in advance. Nurses will participate in setting up the machines, which will be stocked before going to the unit, and will receive training in their use. Supplies on the unit will be returned to central when the machines are in place. Areas with the least construction will be installed first, Bloodsworth said.   Representatives from Pyxis were on-hand during the communications meeting to offer demonstrations of the new system and to air a video demonstrating its use. Representatives suggest that the Pyxis system saves time and allows a 15 percent reduction in supply utilization, with upwards of 30 percent savings in costs. “I think you’re going to find this a tremendous asset to your organization,” said Tammy Riffle, operations manager for Pyxis.   Bloodsworth urged anyone with questions or concerns to contact Gail Hale, Pyxis system coordinator, at 792-5279. Training offered for handling hazardous materials The South Carolina Department of Transportation requires all Medical Center employees who are involved in any way in the handling of hazardous materials to attend an eight-hour training session, according to Joe Avant of MUSC risk management.   Hazardous materials include infectious substances, flammables, explosives and biological materials. A class will be conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and is open to 35 people. The first training session on Jan. 16 is already full, he said.   For more information, Avant suggests sending him an e-mail at avantj@musc.edu. Concerns expressed over use of exits in newborn unit For security reasons, stairwell exits are not to be used in the postpartum and newborn patient care area in the Main Hospital 2 East Unit, according to June Stovall, MUSC nurse manager for newborn nursery and postpartum care.   Because the doors are security wired, anyone who exits by way of the stairwell will activate the security system. Once the security system is activated, the nursing unit must conduct an investigation, Stovall said. The only time the doors to the stairwells should be used is in the event of a fire, she said.   The postpartum and newborn unit made the temporary move to 2 East the first week of December due to the hospital-wide flooring project. The unit is expected to return to its permanent location this summer. Earl B. Higgins Achievement in Diversity Award Announced Betts Ellis, administrator, Institutional Relations, announced that nominations for the Earl B. Higgins Achievement in Diversity Award are being accepted.     The Office of Diversity recently issued an e-mail announcement to include the nomination form and criteria.  Ellis encouraged employees of the Medical Center to submit nominations to the Office of Diversity by Feb. 26. Anyone needing additional information should contact Kathy Whitaker in the Office of Diversity at 792-9694. UHC to be on-site Jan. 23 University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) will be on-site on Tuesday, Jan. 23, to present its strategic initiatives for 2001. A presentation will be made at the communications meeting that day at 1 p.m.   Lynne Nemeth, MUSC director of outcomes management, research and development, said UHC would share its goals for clinical data products, clinical benchmarking and operational database with a focus on integration and use of the data available to MUSC.  “We can make use of it in our own benchmarking and process improvement projects,” Nemeth said.