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Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction HIPPA Guidelines Rumor: I am a housekeeper at MUSC and wonder what are HIPPA guidelines? Can you educate me? Truth: HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This federal law mandates a standard for privacy and security of protected health information as well as the standardizing of some of the electronic transactions within the health care industry.   For someone working within the hospital, HIPAA means taking reasonable steps to ensure the privacy and security of protected health information. Some examples of this would be not leaving medical records unattended and not leaving patient information lying on a fax or copy machine. HIPAA covers protected health information that is computerized, written, or verbally communicated. Because of this, not talking about patients in public places such as elevators, bathrooms and the cafeteria is very important. MUHA and MUSC will also train all employees on the aspects of HIPAA as it relates to the job that they perform. This role based training will take place between now and April 1. With training and an increased awareness, HIPAA compliance will eventually evolve into a cultural change within the institution regarding protected health information.  Hollings Cancer Center Rumor: When will Holling Cancer Center be finished? What are the plans for the upper floors of the new building? Truth: Phase I (the tower) is scheduled to be done in early 2004. Phase II (the renovation of the first two floors of the present HCC) will be done by spring 2005. A grand opening will either be in late spring 2005 or the fall. Floor four of the tower will be an expansion of the animal facility. Floors five through seven are new labs. A draft space policy is being worked on by appropriate authorities and will be published when completed. TERI Program Rumor: Any truth that the TERI program is ending in January? Truth: We have checked with appropriate MUSC administrators, and none have formally or informally received such information to date. Clinical Services Rumor: I have been working here for about five years. Sometimes I feel not appreciated. There is all kinds of events for RNs. Will we ever have a day for MUSC ancillary staff; PCT, CA's. Maybe even a pay raise in the near future. We are very important part of the team.  Truth: We are pleased you “stepped up” to let your concerns be noted. PCTs and CAs are valued members of the health care team. We attempt to recognize all of the valued members of the health care team during Hospital Week each year. Regarding a pay raise, you will be eligible for a merit increase in December 2002 based on your performance evaluation. In addition, PCTs and CAs will be receiving an increase in differential pay in July. The increase will be $1/hour for normal work week evening shift;  $1.50/hour for normal work week night shift; $1/hour for weekend day shift; $1.50/hour for weekend evening shift; and $2/hour for weekend night shift. Compliance Training Rumor: When does compliance training start for the coming year? Truth: Compliance Training is currently being offered by the UMA Compliance Office and the MUHA Compliance Office. Both offices have been working with department managers in their areas to provide information on the requirements for this year. If you are an MUHA employee you can go to the following Web  site for information on training: http://www.musc.edu/compliance/. If you are a UMA employee you can go to http://www.musc.edu/uma/compliance/.  Cafeteria Cameras Rumor: Two inquiries were submitted to the Rumor Mill about the video cameras monitoring the cafeteria. Both wondered if their use meant that MUHA did not trust the cafeteria employees. Truth: As is common in most retail facilities, our cameras serve a dual purpose. They are there to protect the cashiers and customers as well as monitor activity. We serve thousands of people every day; thankfully, the vast majority are honest individuals. On occasion, we get one who poses a threat to employee/customer safety and hospital property. In addition, the cameras allow us to ensure that all customers are treated equally and any complaints can be investigated properly.  President Greenberg Rumor: Can the president attend benefits for local charities? Is there a fee associated with his appearance at such events? Truth: President Greenberg can and does attend benefits for local charities to the extent that his calendar permits. He pays for his attendance at such events and is not compensated for attendance. What is the President's Speciality? Rumor: Is it true that the president was a cardiothoracic surgeon? Did he complete a surgery fellowship? Truth: President Greenberg trained in public health, and prior to focusing on administrative work, he was involved in cancer research. Special Care Nursery Rumor: We have heard a rumor that Special Care Nursery is closing due to lessened patient population. Is there any truth to the rumor and do we need the space for other patients? Truth: We are happy to inform you that the Special Care Nursery is not closing. We  continue to use the space for level II NNICU patients. We closed the Special Care Nursery for a few days in late October so the floors could be stripped and refinished.  Park or Parking Rumor: I heard a rumor that the old Charleston High School area (behind RTA) was going to become a park and not a parking garage. If this is to be a park will there be another parking garage built on this side of the campus?  Truth: The Charleston High School site, including the surface parking lot on the north side, is part of a proposed renovation and reuse project under the auspices of the Health Sciences Foundation. Plans call for development of the site into an office complex/parking garage for the use of MUSC and MUHA. A park is not currently included in the project plans. A formal Request for Proposal to design, build, and finance the project is currently publicly advertised. If an acceptable bid is received, completion of the project is targeted for 2005.  MUHA Performance Merit Increases Rumor: What are the approved percent increases for MUHA for the December 2002 merit increase based on performance evaluations? Truth: Eligible MUHA employees are to be given the performance pay increase based upon their most recent (and current) performance evaluation ratings as follows: “Meets” = 1 percent of base salary. “Exceeds” = 2 percent of base salary. "Substantially exceeds” = 3 percent of base salary. For additional information, employees may refer to the Medical University Hospital Authority Human Resources Compensation Policy #15 and Performance Management Policy #16 or by contacting the Human Resources office at 792-5098.  BSB Elevators Rumor: When will the Basic Science Building elevators be back in service? Truth: The two BSB main lobby elevators that are currently out of service have been undergoing upgrades and are scheduled to be certified for return to operation in December 2002. At that time the other two main lobby elevators will be taken out of service for upgrades, and are scheduled to be back in service at the end of March. Parking Rumor: It would be great if the employees could see better weekend parking. There are plenty of empty lots around the medical center that would be great for parking closer to the hospital. Truth: Because it is large enough to meet the parking needs of all employees who work nights and weekends, because it is located close to the medical center, and because of the strong security program designed to support it, the employee parking garage at 91 President Street is the primary after-hours parking location for MUSC employees. Most of the parking areas closer to the hospital are either patient parking lots and, though not necessarily full, are in operation 24/7 or have other types of use assigned to them at night and/or on weekends. Employees who are interested in parking in the university’s after-hours program should call 792-3665. There is a small annual fee to cover the registration process for the after-hours program, but parking is free. Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.     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 petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.