Return to Main Menu

Examples of excellence in clinical care cited In order for the MUSC Medical Center to earn national Magnet status for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, writers of MUSC’s application must provide unit and organizational examples of excellence.  These examples exemplify how MUSC strives to support a healthy work environment, healthy nurses, and healthy patient outcomes necessary to achieve Magnet status.  Occupational Therapy Angel Tree Project (Mary Beth Brock, Institute of Psychiatry’s Occupational Therapy department)  “In 1997, the first goal of the Angel Tree Project was to provide a happy holiday for our patients hospitalized at Christmas. The OT staff also hoped to provide a creative outlet for patients who crafted the decorations as well as giving them an opportunity to experience the benefit of doing for others. A third objective was to offer the IOP staff and faculty an opportunity to be generous to the patients for whom they provide care. The idea of an Angel Tree was suggested as a stimulus for donations from the staff and faculty of IOP. The decorations were made by the patients in OT groups throughout the fall and the tree was placed in the lobby at Thanksgiving to kickoff the fund raising effort. The idea was very well received and always gathers good support. The monies collected are divided between the various IOP inpatient units according to the number of beds and used to purchase simple gifts and party supplies.  The success of the Angel Tree has grown significantly every year since its inception in 1997. People often ask about it long before time to place it in the lobby. Many people request and are given ornaments when the trees are taken down after the New Year. There has also been some competition each year for the angel tree topper which had, in the past, been given to the first person who asked about it. However, starting in 2003, it’s now given to the person who makes the largest donation.” Patient Assistance Fund (Cindy Ferguson, R.N., Family Medicine)   “Queen Haynes, licensed practical nurse, started an assistance fund for patients. Employees of Family Medicine, including physicians, are allowed to dress down (per a written protocol) on Fridays for $3. The money then goes to help patients with the cost of prescriptions, cab fares to the clinic, co-pays for self-pay patients and small medical supplies, like thermometers for mothers with young children, walker and cane tips, and other needs deemed necessary for continuation of medical care/ health prevention. To date the office has collected approximately $1,980 and $1,493 has been distributed to patients enabling them to continue their medical therapies.”   Friday, March 11, 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.