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Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction Cafeteria Rumor: I have heard there are going to be some noise restrictions placed on the cafeteria staff. I have sat there many times and been completely appalled at how the staff makes so much noise that patrons and visitors of the hospital cannot even eat a meal in peace. I think it sends a horrible message to visitors when our own cashiers and counter staff are the source of most of the noise while yelling from one side of the cafeteria to the other. Truth: As with all hospital employees, the cafeteria staff is expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. We serve thousands of patrons every day and the noise level can be high given that kind of volume. Our staff should make every effort to communicate with the customers and each other in a reasonable tone of voice. Your valid concerns will be addressed with the staff. Garage Rumor: We have heard that the spaces marked “no parking” in the new Ashley Avenue parking garage will never be opened up for parking. Truth: Floors two and three in the new garage are high-traffic areas, and some patients have experienced discomfort driving through them. These areas lack the natural light of the upper floors, and to help relieve a sense of confinement and closeness, some changes are being made which require that a number of spaces be taken out of service. Most are closed only temporarily. The changes include improving illumination, increasing aisle width by creating small-car-only spaces, and providing a patient drop-off and pick-up area close to the entry to the hospital connector.Because it is dependent on when the work can be scheduled, we do not have a firm date for when the spaces will be returned to service. However, even with approximately 35 spaces temporarily out of service, there is still more than adequate space available in the garage to meet patient needs. In addition, patients have responded very well to the improvements made so far and to the extra aisle width that has been created. Parking Rumor: Parking complaints related to the new parking facility on Ashley Avenue are increasing. I have heard that there have been discussions about possibly moving employee parking from Rutledge Tower parking lot to the new Ashley Avenue parking lot. If this happened, would there be enough spaces to accomodate the employees who have rented spaces at this time? Truth: Currently, there are no plans to change employee parking from Rutledge Tower Garage to the new Ashley-Rutledge Garage. Actions are being taken in the Ashley Rutledge Garage to improve parking services for patients. These include, 1) adding an elevator to the South side; 2) improving illumination; 3) increasing aisle width; and 4) providing patient drop-off and pick-up area close to the second floor entry to the hospital connector. Also under consideration is valet parking for the Rutledge Tower ambulatory clinics. Hospital Options Pool Pay Rumor: I heard the Hospital Options Pool  staff will not be getting any pay increases this year. Truth: As a result of guidance from the Retention and Recruitment Committee, the Registered Nurse Steering Committee and feedback from staff, MUHA is focusing pay increase initiatives on the permanent staff (including unit based temp staff). At this point, the HOP will not receive a pay increase this year. Uniforms Rumor: We have been told that the hospital may not provide us with scrubs once the new dress code policy goes into effect? I know they provide areas such as labor and delivery and the cardiac floor with three pairs of scrubs because they wear a designated color. If we are going to be required to adhere to a certain color,shouldn't some compensation be provided? Truth: The new dress code policy will be effective spring 2007. The distant effective date is to provide staff the opportunity to incrementally purchase new scrubs. Labor and Delivery, OR, and the Heart and Vascular staffs are required to wear street clothes to work and change into scrubs at work to ensure cleanliness and sterility. Starbucks Rumor: Is it true that a Starbucks is coming to the hospital? If so, where and when? Truth: The present coffee cart operator will retire in December. After renovations, it is anticipated a Starbucks Express unit will be located in this area with an opening date in February. Clinical Sciences Building Elevators Rumor: I heard there are no plans to repair and put back into use the elevators in the Clinical Sciences Building closest to Hollings Cancer Center. Getting an elevator in the CSB seems to get worse every day, and with delivery and repairmen having to use the same elevators as visitors and employees, it just makes things worse. Truth: The good news is the rumor is not true. The contract agreement for repairs is expected to be approved this month. The damage to the service elevators is extensive, and repairs are expected to take six to eight months after contract award. Almost half of that time will be waiting for equipment deliveries once the orders are placed. Work Only Weekends Rumor: I hear that the hospital is planning to eliminate the Weekend Work Option (WWO) program as we know it with the bonus pay per hour, is this true? Truth: The Weekend Work Option program was recently increased and will continue to be used within the Medical Center. The bonus hour program, which is a separate program, is being phased out/discontinued. Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.  Friday, Nov. 25, 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.