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Currents We continue to work on our plan to convert the MUSC Medical Center to an authority. This is a major goal for MUSC. The general assembly and governor approved the Authority Act in June 1999. Subject to the MUSC Board of Trustees’ approval, we hope to make the conversion in July 2000. With the authority conversion, we will achieve additional flexibility for the management and operation of the Medical Center. Under the authority, the Medical Center will be exempt from state procurement, capital improvement and human resources regulations.  However, as a public entity, we will be held to high business practice standards.      A number of other state academic medical centers have converted to an authority form of governance. Recently, members of the Medical Center administrative team and I met with the administrators of the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals (MCVH) to discuss their experience in converting from a state agency to an authority two years ago.  It was helpful to hear about their experience, and we found the issues they addressed to be very similar to the issues we are facing now.     In implementing their authority, MCVH established a 99-year master capital lease with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Under the lease, property cannot be sold without permission, but may be renovated or torn down. Also, VCU subleases certain space from MCVH.  The cost allocation involved is very detailed.     MCVH and VCU have three service agreements, including the Operating Services Agreement for support services, the Clinical Education Research Services Agreement with the School of Medicine, and the Clinical Operation Services Agreement with the practice plan.  These agreements help specify service expectations and costs.  Upon conversion to an authority, MCVH made changes to human resources policies similar to the changes envisioned for the MUSC Medical Center.  MCVH changed only their core human resources policies at the time of conversion to avoid too much change or confusion, and they have gradually changed other policies over time. MCVH employees were given the option to remain in the state retirement plan or convert to a new retirement plan. Aside from the retirement plan, all 4,500 employees were covered by the new core human resources policies, including a new paid time off plan and grievance procedure.     The Authority Act enables all MUSC Medical Center employees to remain in the state retirement system. In the future, we expect to look into an alternative retirement plan for those who may be interested, but we will safeguard employees’ participation in the state retirement plan.     Similar to MCVH, plans are underway for a paid time off (PTO) leave policy for the MUSC Medical Center. The Me Issues Committee has focused a lot of attention on this matter. No one will lose any accrued annual or sick  leave. We expect to offer incentives for prudent use of leave, while providing employees flexibility in using PTO.  Our PTO plan will be competitive with similar plans of other area hospitals. The Me Issues Committee will conduct an information campaign in the future, once all details are resolved.     Plans also are underway for the MUSC Medical Center to adopt a new grievance policy, which will be substantially similar to the state grievance plan. The Me Issues Committee is almost finished developing  final recommendations on this policy, and we will communicate the details soon.     The MCVH administrators said there was a lack of understanding about why they converted to an authority, and they urged us to articulate what an authority is and is not.  As we move forward, we will continue to discuss the MUSC Authority Act, its implications and details of the conversion plan. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center Chair, 1999 Trident United Way Campaign StatLAN lists estimated schedule dates for retirement Announcements David Northrup, director of CCIT Healthcare Computing Services, reviewed the following StatLAN retirement schedule: MUH 10W and MUH 6-10 - currently being retired; MUH 2-5—estimated retirement is the week of Nov. 15; MUH 7-9—estimated retirement is the week of Nov. 22; IOP and CMH—estimated retirement is the week of Nov. 29; others— estimated retirement is the week of Dec. 6. For more information about the StatLAN retirement plan, as well as how to get Oacis and Windows95 training, visit <http://emerald.musc.edu/> ClinLAN95 Update Northrup said CCIT continues to work with Novell Inc. to stabilize ClinLAN95.  He said a simplified version of ClinLAN95 “autolog” PCs are being piloted on the seventh floor of Children’s Hospital and MUH 10 East.  These PCs do not require a Novell login, because the login process automatically takes place. The PCs also are equipped with a “downtime folder” that  allows access to Oacis in case the login problem ever reoccurs.  Compliance Update Reece Smith, compliance officer, announced that the Medical Center charge master has been reviewed.  Managers are responsible for looking over revisions for their area(s) and answering any outstanding questions. The charge master revisions will be sent to each department within the next three weeks, and should be completed and returned by Dec. 31. If you have questions, call Smith at 792-6128. Smith also announced that the Compliance Office will conduct a compliance training audit for all departments within the next 30 days. Beth Bair, compliance coordinator, will contact managers to schedule a time to review a random sample of 1998 and 1999 departmental files to ensure they contain the appropriate documentation of compliance training. If you have questions, contact Bair at 792-6169.