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Currents Currently a number of training and communication vehicles are being used to help with our preparation for the Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations survey expected in November. The survey serves to verify to the public that we provide high quality care and services. JCAHO accreditation enables the Medical Center’s eligibility for Medicare reimbursement.  It is important that all employees including contract workers understand the JCAHO standards that apply to their jobs. I ask that everyone take advantage of the information being made available to enhance his or her knowledge.  Outlined below is a listing of some of the material being made available.  Anyone who has questions should contact his or her manger or Terri Ellis, JCAHO Coordinator at 792-5106 or e-mail ellist@musc.edu.  Thank you very much.  W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center   STAR Productions presents ‘Who Wants to Be a JCAHO Millionaire?’ As promised, Lois Kerr, Accredited Programs, was back during the July 22 communications meeting to test managers on JCAHO standards concerning pain management and assessment. In the hot seat this time sat Ellen Ruja, Emergency Department manager.  When Ruja was called to help with a DHEC inspection, Sharon DeGrace, Cardiothoracic ICU, enthu-siastically took her place.  Together, the two answered all of the questions correctly, with the help of the audience and the 50/50 options. Both managers will receive stars for their office doors and movie tickets for participating. Kerr will continue the JCAHO quizzing once a month through November, when the Joint Commission will survey MUSC.  Ongoing JCAHO Communication All employees are encouraged to take full advantage of training material to become familiar with the JCAHO standards.  Examples of this information includes: The Medical Center Intranet web site contains a wide array of JCAHO educational material and the JCAHO manual.  Weekly JCAHO present-ations are made at the Communication meetings for managers and highlights published in the Currents newsletter. MUSC Star Guide to Survey Readiness distributed to managers to share with staff. “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” Communication meeting presentations distributed to directors through weekly e-mail to share with staff. A new “Star Message of the Week” to highlight JCAHO topics distributed to directors through weekly e-mail for posting.  An updated JCAHO staff handbook for all employees and residents will soon be issued. Unit rounds to include “JCAHO Preparation Rounds” checklists and discussions are being routinely conducted. The Medical Center Intranet web site includes an updated “Godzilla Checklists” for clinical staff. Posters and educational material focusing on patient safety and other topics are located at various locations throughout the Medical Center Announcements Chris Murray, Medical Center Business Development and Marketing Services director, introduced Peggy Small, incoming president, of Lowcountry chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Small presented outgoing president, Mark Ruppel, Medical Center Business Development and Marketing Services manager, with a plaque honoring his work as president for the past two years.  Dave Neff, Ambulatory Care Services administrator, announced that plans are underway to relocate some of our clinics at McClennan-Banks to the Rutledge Tower and other locations on campus in support of the effort to build a new replacement hospital. These relocations will require that more patient parking be made available at the Rutledge Tower Parking Deck. A parking assignment plan is being developed by Parking Management that will be reviewed and approved by the MUSC leadership, the Hospital Authority and UMA/Ambulatory Care. This planning effort will require that we verify the work and/or office locations of employees and faculty that are parking in the Rutledge Tower Parking Deck. It is important that this verification process be supported by all concerned. Once the plan is finalized, this information will be formally communicated to employees.