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Currents To Medical Center Employees: Thank you to all who participated in the Employee Satisfaction Survey conducted in August and September 2005. This survey provides valuable information. I consider the results a report card for our leadership.   We have a responsibility to make sure we have the best people and that we provide a wonderful work environment. We know that we will maximize our services to patients, visitors and each other when we have employees that feel great about the Medical Center.   An independent firm was used to conduct the survey so that individual responses are 100 percent confidential. The survey highlights are summarized in this newsletter.   As I mentioned in the Sept. 29 issue of Currents, managers will be receiving more detailed information during briefings this month. I am asking the management team to then schedule briefings within their respective areas in the weeks ahead to share more specific information with employees. Importantly, we will be asking you to help develop some ideas for improvements and to set priorities to move in a positive direction.   Again, thank you for caring enough to share your thoughts. I will greatly appreciate your being a part of the process to make our Medical Center a great place to work. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center MUSC Medical Center Employee Satisfaction Survey Highlights I. Our survey was conducted in August and September. More than 60 percent of employees responded. II. Top five statements across our organization were: a) My work has purpose and makes a difference in people's lives. b) I'd like to see members of the leadership team more often and hear more              about their thoughts and plans. c) I know what is expected and how my work is evaluated. d) My manager/supervisor follows up on patient safety issues. e) Our Medical Center mission and goals are clearly communicated. III. Lowest five statements across our organizations were: a) I am paid fairly compared to peers at other hospitals. b) Communication between departments is open and effective. c) Results-oriented performance is recognized/rewarded in my department. d) In the last month, I have received praise/recognition for doing good                   work. e) I feel appreciated and valued as an employee of the Medical Center. IV. Other Information In recent years, we have made a commitment to good communication. However, the independent firm responsible for compiling the survey results reported communication (i.e. the need for improvement) was reported 1,092 times.   You will continue to hear more information regarding the survey during the weeks and months ahead. Everyone's involvement is needed in working to make improvements. Update on flu shots, language barriers Stuart Smith announced that for the eighth consecutive year, MUSC Medical Center was recognized with the 2005/2006 Consumer Choice Award.   Presented by the National Research Corporation, a national company involved in conducting the hospital’s patient satisfaction surveys, the award identifies top quality hospitals from an annual survey given to health care consumers within 180 national markets. Ranked in order by consumer response, the award evaluates the quality of hospital services and examines other relevant criteria. MUSC was number one among area hospitals for preferred patient care within MUSC Transplant Center, Hollings Cancer Center, Neuroscience Institute and the Institute of Psychiatry. Consumers also praised other medical care services in the areas of  bariatric/weight loss surgery, plastic surgery, pediatric services, heart care, imaging services and orthopedic treatment/surgery.   Comparing 2003 to 2005 results, other specialty areas showing the greatest gains are the MUSC Neuroscience Institute, Women’s Health, Children’s Hospital and Bone & Joint Center. The institution rated highly in other provider categories like technology and equipment, widest range of services, Web Site support, community health programs and other support areas. Language Access College of Nursing’s Charlene Pope, Ph.D., discussed the status of language access issues among Spanish-speaking patients in the Medical Center.   Her report came after a recent review concerning the issue by CON’s Hispanic Health Initiative in response to community concerns. Pope reminded hospital managers that providing non-English Speaking patients with proper language access is not just a voluntary effort but fulfills the federal 1998 Limited English Proficiency (LEP) recommendations and the 1964 Civil Rights Law.   South Carolina’s growing Hispanic/Latino population of 400,000 to 500,000 people challenges patient-provider communications and adequate medical care. Pope and other personnel began to evaluate these needs through a Medical Center Cultural Diversity and Health Disparity Task Force created in 2004. That same year, the group initiated a cultural awareness survey to hospital staff which revealed that qualified medical interpreters were under-utilized when it came to working with LEP patients. In reviewing components of the law, Pope emphasized that significant improvements for LEP patients were made by the Office of Medical Interpretation under the leadership of Karen Rankine. MUSC has 11 certified medical interpreters on staff that share on-call availability, supplemented by a telephone language line. She discussed the value of training and educating staff on this issue by properly identifying LEP patients through questions and documentation.   She also cited the need to enforce written policies and procedures to improve language access and quality of care. Policy A-30 guarantees no-cost access to qualified medical interpreters and requires staff who wish to interpret to pass a medical interpretation test to supplement LEP patient needs. The policy also requires proper documentation of services or refusals and proper reporting of non-qualified interpreters or unequal treatment of LEP patients. Flu Shot Distribution Infection Control’s Pam Fogle gave an update on MUSC/MUHA employee flu vaccine distribution program. Working in conjunction with Employee Health Services, organizers coordinated flu vaccine availability at various campuswide locations from October to November. The schedule is in the Oct. 14 issue of The Catalyst and will be  widely disseminated through broadcast messages. Announcements Brian Fletcher recognized the cooperation and hard work of Medical Center colleagues for working together towards and winning accreditation for MUSC’s Chest Pain Center. Fletcher presented a framed certificate to Stuart Smith commemorating the Society of Chest Pain Centers’ accreditation. He also recognized supporters Sharon DeGrace; Ellen Ruja, Brian Vest, Bill Spring, Lynne Barber, Dan Altman, Gary Headden, M.D., Peter Zwerner, M.D., Chris Nielsen, M.D., Amanda Budak and Cheryl Franklin. Stuart Smith thanked MUSC participants who were involved in the American Heart Association’s 2005 Lowcountry Heart Walk held Sept. 24. Environmental Services’ David Rivito welcomed Rebecca Smith as a new EVS Patient Ambassador. Smith will interact with patients, visitors, guests and staff to help promote the department and its duties around the hospital. Linda Formby was introduced by Rosemary Ellis as the Medical Center’s new infection control manager. Ellis recognized interim infection control manager Pam Fogle for her support. Ellis also welcomed nurse and new quality coordinator Patricia Kadanac to the Patient Safety staff. Janet Byrne is the interim nurse manager working in the MICU.     Friday, Oct. 14, 2005 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.