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Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction Open Visitation Rumor: I was told by a manager that MUSC adopted the open visitation guidelines for all critical care areas. If this is true, many are concerned about the safety of their workplace. Truth: Currently in the main hospital, four of the five adult critical care units have open visitation hours. The unique characteristics of a Surgical Trauma, Neuro ICU related to trauma victims bear thoughtful evaluation of visiting hours for both patient and staff security and with regard to our customer service goals. There is evidence in clinical literature that supports open visitation in critical care for many reasons. Any consideration of changes to visiting hours will include staff, physician, security and management collaboration.  Parking at Meters Rumor: I have heard that no one enforces the rule that MUSC employees are not allowed to use the meters around the hospital as their every day parking. Every morning as I walk from my assigned parking space I watch as quite a few MUSC employees circle around waiting for a meter, where they park all day for free using a family member's handicap hang tag. With the lack of parking we have right now for patients, shouldn’t we leave these meters available for them? I am sad when I see our elderly patients have to ride around looking for parking when many times they are from out of town, get lost and confused, and have to park far away from their destination.  Truth: When appropriate documentation is provided to Parking Management, MUSC provides disabled employees and students with a parking space within the MUSC system in accordance with the limitations documented by the individual’s physician and a space that conforms with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, i.e. an accessible space that is as convenient as possible for the individual. Disabled employees or students do not have to park on the street or at metered parking spaces. In fact, Parking Management discourages this practice for the very reason you cite, it takes away available parking for  patients and visitors. Despite these efforts, handicap placard abuse does occur in metered spaces. The meters in question are the city’s and therefore fall under the jurisdiction of the Charleston Police Department. Parking Management has approached the city parking administrator to see if they will allow MUSC to enforce parking laws at these spaces. The MUSC administration has little tolerance for employees illegally parking in the MUSC system and will take appropriate action when it is discovered that an employee or student is illegally parking in our system. Thus, MUSC employees and students are strongly encouraged not to abuse their parking privileges on campus. Update on Coffee Cart Rumor: Following is information on the coffee cart. Truth: The present coffee cart operator has informed Sodexho that they will cease operation on Dec. 22. At that time the Gourmet Coffee Cart will be replaced by a Starbucks operation that will provide a larger offering with expanded business hours as sales warrant. North Tower  Rumor: The North Tower is rumored to be crumbling. Can you report what is happening to the North Tower as I noted a large piece of it fell away from the building recently. Truth: The North Tower exterior sustained wind damage on the east side, the morning of Feb. 4. Hospital and university staff immediately took steps to block off the area and to begin temporary repairs to the wall, high above the ground. We have had more than our share of hurricanes in recent years and high wind damage is a concern. One might think we only have high winds during hurricanes or tropical storms, but we can have them all through the year. We have had similar wind damage in the past, but this damaged area was not one of the earlier damaged areas. A study is underway to evaluate the situation and make recommendations for permanent repairs. In the meantime, the repairs which are now underway should be complete within the next two weeks. Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.    Friday, March 18, 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.