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CurrentsTo Medical Center employees:At our Oct. 8 communications meeting, our management team heard a presentation on the TUW campaign’s goals and special initiatives, as indicated below. The campaign runs through Nov. 15. MUSC is the largest employer in the Charleston area and we need to demonstrate our good citizenship by supporting TUW. This year’s goal for MUSC is $215,000. Your support will be greatly appreciated. As previously communicated by MUSC President Ray Greenberg, the Board of Trustees determined at its recent meeting that location of a new clinical facilities on the peninsula is the desired option if a variety of access issues and other needs can be met. If it becomes evident, however, that necessary accommodations cannot be achieved, then the clinical facilities will move off campus. The board adopted a series of motions to guide the process. (Highlights of the report to the Board will be included in next week’s Currents.) The board is expected to make a final decision at its Dec. 2002 meeting. Finally, we are preparing for the roll out of the “Step Up” phase of the leadership and first impressions training program. The intent is to transfer classroom instruction to workplace behaviors with the overall goal of enhancing patient satisfaction and employee morale. All managers, directors and administrators are requested to make every effort to attend a one-hour “kickoff” planning meeting at 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24 at a location to be announced. Thank you very much. W. Stuart Smith
MUSC’s primary care network ‘right-sized’The reorganization of MUSC’s Carolina Family Care network is nearly complete. “The network was in need of ‘right-sizing,’ given the financial challenges we faced,” said Howard Evert, M.D., medical director of Carolina Family Care (CFC).CFC near-term tactics include continuation of the provision of pediatric services downtown; expansion of internal medicine access at 30 Bee St. and move to a new facility at 135 Cannon Street; and preliminary planning for the development of an internal medicine and pediatrics presence in the North Area within the next two years,” Evert said. The Carolina Family Care network currently includes the following offices:
Evert noted that CFC physicians are currently considered “in-network” for all of MUSC and UMA’s health plan options. These include Blue Cross/Blue Shield State Health Plan, MUSC Options, Companion, Cigna, and PAI. Physicians who have left the CFC network may still participate in Companion, Cigna, MUSC Options and the State Health Plan. Employees covered by PAI, however, will face an increased co-pay and deductible if they choose a physician who is not a member of UMA or CFC. Employees are encouraged to check with their physician’s office for participation status. Trident United Way makes appeal, says thanks
“MUSC is the largest supporter of United Way, providing more than $215,000 in funds,” Kerrigan said. “We deeply appreciate the partnership and we recognize that we couldn’t do it without you.” MUSC is also one of the largest single recipients, according to Kerrigan. “I hope it helps you serve your mission for health and healing of the community.” Kerrigan encouraged directors and managers to invite him to come and speak to their staff about United Way and to also share the video that presents the program at the national and local levels. Charles Darby, M.D., executive director for the Center for Advocacy and Development, MUSC Children's Hospital, and former chair of the MUSC Department of Pediatrics, encouraged support of “Success by Six,” which is part of a national program dedicated to helping children in the first six years of life. Darby indicated that the percentage of children in the tri-county who are not ready for first grade is disproportionately high compared to national levels. The children’s medical initiative has been organized to improve early readiness. Darby said the local effort is focused on:
‘Sailing to New Horizons’
McNair said his group also has undertaken an evaluation of the program itself and is working to see if it could be improved. “We’ve had a lot of good input to take an important and good program and see if we can make it better,” McNair said. Flu vaccine program begins
The Infection Control Office is located at 286 in the Main Hospital
and is open on the designated dates from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jodell Johnson,
Infection Control coordinator, said she and her staff also are available
to give onsite vaccinations during department meetings. Last year, Johnson
said, 1,689 doses were given to Medical Center employees.
STAR Productions SpotlightSTAR Productions, which stands for Survey Teams Always Ready, has launched a multi-media approach to making sure MUSC maintains a high standard of compliance.Presenting:
Lynne Nemeth, director of Outcomes Management, presented the case, describing the standards used in providing interdisciplinary care. For example, during patient assessment, initial indicators are based on diagnosis, a review of the care a patient needs and is seeking, the setting in which the care is being delivered, the response to any previous treatment and the patient’s consent. At assessment, the team reviews the patient’s nutrition, function, pain levels, whether there are issues of abuse or neglect, discharge plan and those who will provide on-going care or support. Care decisions emerge as staff members integrate the information from various assessments of the patient, before identifying and assigning priorities to care plans. Plans take in overall care, treatment and rehabilitation. “The purpose of the team is to coordinate care and planning to meet patient care goals and achieve optimal outcomes,” Nemeth said. “The mix of disciplines involved and the intensity of the collaboration will vary as appropriate to the patient. It also includes the family as appropriate.” The process also takes in patient education, which is coordinated among appropriate staff. “When care team members collaborate, patient education is more effective,” Nemeth added. STAR Awards
Upcoming special attractions will feature:
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