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Currents To Medical Center Employees: At a recent communications meeting it was announced that an organizational assessment survey will soon be issued.  The survey will focus upon a number of topics including employees’ perspectives on the quality of supervision, work expectations and clarity of communication. The survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and I am asking the management team to encourage a good response rate by making time for employees to complete the survey.  The survey instrument is professionally designed and will enable comparisons with other organizations and with the findings of a similar Medical Center survey conducted in 1998. As in the past, we will use the survey findings to identify needs and help set priorities. The survey results will be widely communicated.  Survey responses will be anonymous. Everyone’s cooperation in completing the survey and in returning it promptly according to the instructions that will accompany the survey will be greatly appreciated. I thank you all for your commitment and dedication. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center   Blood shortage spurs Medical Center blood donor contest Due to the severe shortage of available blood, the MUSC Medical Center has launched a Blood Donor Team Contest with the goal of increasing blood donations by 80 percent. “What we’re trying to do here is unprecedented,” said Matthew Alsante, an operations coordinator for the American Red Cross, in reference to the ambitious goal. Alsante joined Marilyn Schaffner, R.N., Clinical Services administrator, and others at the June 24 communications meeting in driving home the message of the serious need for blood donations, especially at this time of year.  “The summer months are notoriously low for blood donations,” said Ann Lovering, Red Cross site supervisor, who indicated that the Medical University is one of the highest users of blood, but also collects the least. Consequently, Charleston must import the blood it uses from elsewhere. The contest, which begins the first of July, calls for teams of 25 members. Each team needs to have a captain, who is responsible for the signup sheets. Donations can be given at the Bloodmobile at the Medical Center horseshoe or the Red Cross donor room 279. “The goal is to fill all appointment slots 100 percent of the time,” Schaffner said. Gifts will be awarded to presenting donors, quarterly winning teams and to yearly winning teams. “The ultimate winners will be our patients whose surgeries don’t have to be cancelled,” said Donna McClellan, director of Laboratory Services. Appointments can be made and team signup sheets obtained by calling 792-0219, or MUSC Health Connection at 792-1414. In the Lowcountry, someone needs blood every six minutes and hospital patients in the Charleston area routinely use about 150 pints of blood a day, according to Schaffner. Red Cross blood donor facts Did you know that: One pint of blood can save three lives? Less than 9 percent of the population gives blood? Eight our of every 10 Red Cross donors give for years following their first  Someone receives blood every three seconds? Everyone who lives to be 75 years old will most likely use blood in their lifetime? All types of blood are needed, especially types O positive and O negative? 14 million units of blood are donated each year by approximately 8 million volunteer donors, which are received by more than 4 million patients? In addition to use in trauma, blood is used in the treatment of many illnesses such as cancer and sickle-cell anemia? Your donation can be broken down into components, specifically white cells that treat infections in newborns; red cells for anemia and surgery patients; platelets for cancer and leukemia patients; plasma for blood clotting and hemophilia Blood usage varies, but the following indicates how much patients need your help: liver transplant 50 pints or more; kidney transplant 4 pints; heart transplant 10 pints; open heart surgery 6 - 10 pints; coronary artery bypass up to 5 pints; bleeding ulcer 3 - 20 pints; fractured hip/joint replacement 2 - 20 pints; brain surgery 4 - 20 pints; prostate cancer 4 - 6 pints; aneurysm 6 - 10 pints; auto accident/trauma up to 50 plus pints; miscarriage 2 - 4 pints; hysterectomy 2 - 4 pints; and bone marrow transplant 1 - 2 pints, then daily for 8 - 10 weeks. CSB lobby opening delayed  The Clinical Science Building lobby will be open on Aug. 5, instead of July 1 as originally anticipated. According to Hal Currey, administrator for capital projects, the delay was caused by the inability of the contractor to obtain approved flooring material for the lobby. Currey, who apologized for the delay, said the project managers, architects and contractor are committed to doing everything possible to meet this new deadline. The North and South entrances of the CSB will remain open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Human Resources entrance office will remain open for emergency use by patients and others needing to enter from the Clinical Science Building ramp. Reporting of errors encouraged Rosemary Ellis, medical director of Quality, urged administrators and managers to play a proactive role in safety improvement and enforcement efforts by creating an environment that encourages reporting of errors when they occur. The MUSC Center for Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety works actively to anticipate system problems before they manifest, and also adapts processes from other industries to identify and eliminate problems. National statistics estimate that only one in 20 health care errors are ever reported. “That’s not acceptable,” Ellis said. “If something impacts the care of a patient, please report those. The message is we can’t correct problems if we don’t know about them.” Radiation officer emphasizes safety Radiation safety officer James Rutan reported on security associated with the use and storage of radiation at MUSC. Given the recent scare involving so-called “dirty bombs” reported in the media, the issue is topical. Dirty bombs are described as conventional bombs spiked with radioactive material.  “I’d like to assure you that we keep all our radioactive materials in secure locations,” Rutan said. A detailed emergency response system is in place to address a range of situations, including radiation. MUSC Internet expands Both Internet and Intranet services at MUSC have expanded recently to help ensure that MUSC Web sites are consistent, professional, accessible and are an easily recognizable visual identity for MUSC on the World Wide Web. The MUSC Web site is intended to be personal, friendly, easy to access and use, but also high tech and high quality. It is also intended to help develop and maintain relationships between MUSC and the community, patients, physicians and employees, along with operational efficiencies and effectiveness, especially regarding access to services. Kelly Roberts has been named to the new position of manager of MUSC Web Resource Services. Roberts, who has 10 years of marketing experience, established the MUSC Web site in 1999. He joined the marketing department in 1997.