|
Return to Main Menu |
Rumor
Mill separates fact from fiction
Cafeteria Rating
Rumor: Is it true that the cafeteria and
the café got the lowest possible ratings from a restaurant inspection?
I heard that one got a zero and one failed. If it is not true,
where is the A that can be found on every restaurant window or door?
Truth: It is true that three of MUSC's
retail outlets had their DHEC (Department of Health and Environmental Control)
scores recently lowered from an A rating. They are Spitfire Grill, Subway
and A la Carte Pizza. The Charleston Market, Patient Tray Line, Salad and
Soup Bar, Chic-fil-A, Theme Cuisine, Rutledge Tower, IOP and Gourmet Coffee
all retained their A rating. Throughout the state, DHEC has drastically
changed the way they do hospital food service inspections. Now, restaurants
are not inspected by a state agency; they are done by county or city inspectors.
Historically, MUSC's scores have always been above 90 percent and
in some cases 100 percent. In addition a third party, The National Sanitation
Foundation, conducts annual food and physical safety audits. Once again,
we consistently score above 95 percent. The lower scores in the three units
were not due to sanitation or food issues. The problems were more procedural
or mechanical in nature. All issues were corrected immediately. A re-inspection
request was made within 24 hours. The original inspection was conducted
on July 1. According to DHEC policy standards, a re-inspection should have
been granted within 10 days. This did not occur. Several verbal requests
for re-inspection were made during the last month as well. On Aug. 5, a
re-inspection was finally conducted. Two of the three units received scores
of 100 percent and the third a 96 percent—all As.
Daycare Facility
Rumor: What ever happened to the proposed
day care facility for the children of MUSC employees? I feel there is a
real need for this service especially in such a large
facility as MUSC. Some say the idea just faded away?
Truth: A Request for Proposal is to be
issued by the university within the month of August. Potential vendors
will be invited to visit the university to tour locations and collect information
needed for their contract proposals. An evaluation committee including
membership with academic, clinical, and administrative representation has
been established to evaluate the proposals and select a suitable care provider.
Hazardous Weather Duties
Rumor: The Rumor Mill received several
inquiries about last-minute changes in times that some MUHA staff were
expected to report to work on Aug. 14 in response to rapidly changing hazardous
weather conditions. One expressed concern about some staff still being
tired or weary from a just-completed shift, as well as inconvenienced when
they had already made other plans. Hospital officials asked that
the following be posted in clarification.
Truth: MUHA's hazardous weather response
plan often requires staff to go the extra mile by coming in early and remaining
after the normal shift assignment. It is an unfortunate reality that such
staffing needs are hard on staff. However, it is better to have an
adequate staff on the job, even when some are weary, than inadequate staff.
As far as Hurricane Charley, it was difficult to predict if and when it
would arrive. Weather experts predicted at one point that it would affect
the Charleston area around 8 a.m. Since high tide was approximately 7:30
a.m., some managers asked staff to come in early to avoid the possibility
of being caught in hazardous conditions.
Hospital Options Pool (HOP)
Rumor: I have heard that floors give harder
patients and assignments to those who are in the HOP, instead of
their own employees getting an equal share.
Truth: Assignments are made based on patient
acuity, and the workload is equally distributed. If any nurses feel they
are assigned an unequal share, they should notify the nurse manager who
can address the issue.
Patient Parking
Rumor: I was under the impression that
only Rutledge Tower clinics validate parking. I have been coming here to
visit and to the dental clinic and have always had to pay when leaving
the G-lot. Also, when visiting an inpatient, isn't it true that a charge
of no more that $3 per 24 hour period is charged?
Truth: Parking for outpatients is validated
at the MUSC visitor garage, visitor lot G, Rutledge Tower parking garage
and Rutledge Tower surface parking lot. Most MUSC outpatient services,
but not all, participate in the validation program. Two dental programs
offer validated parking, Hospital Dentistry and Dental Faculty Practice.
The decision as to whether to participate or not is up to the clinic or
patient-care area. Inpatients and their families are offered a parking
rate of $3 for a 24-hour period.
Forced Giving
Rumor: I heard that all managers were
told that their staff members have to be in the Heart Walk. Why force employees
to give? Perhaps employees would rather give quietly to a cause of their
choosing, or a church, or a school.
Truth: While the Medical Center management
team sought to generate enthusiastic support of the Heart Walk, there was
no intent to force anyone to give a contribution or otherwise to participate
in the walk. No employee should feel any pressure. Participation is entirely
voluntary. Anyone who wishes to say no to this or any other fund-raising
effort should do so without being considered uncooperative. Supporting
the Heart Walk (or similar event) is a personal decision.
Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.
Friday, Sept. 17, 2004
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated
as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations
for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South
Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107
or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst
Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu
or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community
Press at 849-1778.
|