Currents
Even though the planning process is underway, the MUSC Board of Trustees has yet to make a final decision on a whether the new hospital facility will remain on the peninsula. The new phase I hospital facility is anticipated to include 175 to 200 beds with construction being completed around the summer of 2007. Much planning remains to be done. The planning process currently involves seven critical tasks. These critical tasks include a financial feasibility study; U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financing issues; architectural design; Veteran’s Administration collaboration; City of Charleston working relations; highway and traffic issues; and the required Certificate of Need (CON) application process. The Ernst and Young consulting firm has been selected to conduct a financial feasibility study. Their analysis will involve an exhaustive process analyzing our financial performance in recent years and outlining requirements for the future to support our debt service. We expect a final report from Ernst and Yong this spring. The application process for HUD (Section 242 insured) bonds is underway. This process requires a great deal of work with a HUD client service team and other involved parties. Our intent is to complete the application process around August 2003 and secure a HUD commitment by late fall 2003. As previously communicated, the NBBJ firm has begun work to design the phase I hospital facility. A significant amount of input is being gathered from internal work groups and external concerned parties. We expect that programming and schematics will be completed by this spring and our goal is the completion of the design in one year. Our discussions with the VA have been very encouraging. We both face similar issues, with aging facilities and infrastructure. The opportunity to collaborate on future campus development initiatives offers potential benefit to both organizations. Having the availability of land occupied by the VA Medical center is crucial to accommodate our phase II expansion program. The City of Charleston has been very supportive with approval of city ordinance height and set back issues. We hope to have our needs addressed regarding traffic and drainage details in the near future. Also, we hope to secure endorsement of an appropriation for highway improvements from local and federal sources. We have apprised the Department of Health and Environmental Control of our needs. We hope to secure the required Certificate of Need (CON) by the end of the summer 2003. A great deal of attention and effort is being devoted to the phase I new hospital facility planning process. This is a high priority for the MUSC Board of Trustees and President Greenberg. Mr. Marion Woodbury, Special Assistant to the President, is spearheading the planning process. We have been very pleased with the involvement of internal work groups and with the support given to date by officials from all levels of government. We will continue to solicit recommendations from faculty, staff and students. Many decisions and a great deal of effort will be required as we move forward. W. Stuart Smith
STAR Productions presents: ‘2003 and Beyond: A Space Odyssey’The familiar sound of “space odyssey” music filled the room at the Jan. 14 communications meeting as Lois Kerr, Accreditation Services, told managers what to expect for the next JCAHO survey and surveys to come. First, Kerr addressed the current JCAHO emphasis for 2003.“The approach is extremely patient driven, meaning that the surveyors may follow a patient throughout the entirety of his or her stay with us,” Kerr said. “They are also focused on evidence, which means they’ll be looking at outcomes and core measures. They want to see that we are appropriately staffed and safety focused.” Kerr also mentioned that fifty percent of all current JCAHO standards address safety. The JCAHO focus for 2003 unannounced random visits include patient safety, core measures, pain management, staffing indicators, physician health, HIPPA, peer review, credentialing, resident supervision, medication use, compliance and medical records. Kerr discussed several other topics, including the implementation of the JCAHO 2000 Life Safety Code in March of this year and the status of MUSC’s emergency and disaster planning. She concluded the presentation with a look towards the JCAHO 2004 survey, dubbed “Shared Visions, New Pathways.” New hospital, new ways to find, save money
Described as a “last opportunity to cut costs,” the concept dictates that the Medical Center crack down on fairly high supply costs. The CAP-Gemini firm will work in conjunction with Medical Center officials to improve the current supply system, cut costs, and save the center close to $10 million. For details, contact John Franklin, Support Services director, at 792-9526. Paul Bush, Pharmacy Services director, was recognized for the pharmacy department’s achievements related to cost cutting and informed managers that an interdisciplinary lecture series will begin Jan. 23. The series will continue the third Thursday of every month and addresses appropriate medication use. The series, which is not sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry, will
count as a continuing education credit for registered nurses, physicians,
and PharmDs, and lunch will be provided on a first come, first served basis
on Jan. 23.
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