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Currents To Medical Center Employees: As I write this message we have an unannounced JCAHO survey under way. Two surveyors, an administrative and nurse surveyor, arrived early on May 11 to investigate an anonymous complaint regarding our fire evacuation plan in Rutledge Tower. The survey will last one full day.   Meetings with the surveyors at this point (halfway through the day)  indicate the hard work we have devoted toward continuous readiness, self assessment, Environment of Care (EOC) Plans and other related matters has proven to be on target. The survey process will include the tracer methodology and will likely cover a range of topics such as staff knowledge of certain elements of our EOC plans, fire and life safety code compliance, staffing and credentialing, quality improvement and patient safety and a range of other matters.   We will be given a verbal report at the end of today’s survey. The surveyors will submit their written report to the JCAHO headquarters and we will receive a more detailed report afterward. The results of this unannounced survey will be disseminated as soon as possible.    On another matter, Wayne Brannan, director of University Risk Management, recently announced the Medical Center received again this year the Safety Achievement Award from the S. C. Occupational Safety Council and the S. C. Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes our efforts in controlling lost days, injuries and accident rates. Our success can be attributed to the coordinated efforts of University Risk Management, Employee Health Services (operated by the College of Nursing), the Medical Center’s Environment of Care Committee and its Injuries Subcommittee and managers’ support. The Medical Center is the only hospital in the state to receive this award.    Finally, an ad hoc work group has been looking into the Medical Center’s patient and visitor transportation system (also referred to as “escort services”) to determine how improvements can be made. The goal is to determine how services can be provided in a more efficient and cost effective fashion. Currently we rely heavily on transports being handled by the University Department of Public Safety and the resources and cost involved at this point far exceed the initial intent of  Public Safety’s role. The work group is focusing on best methods to enhance intra-facility transports as well as appropriate and cost effective transportation services off-campus. Our expectation is in the future we will roll out a plan for a better integrated and less costly transportation service.   Thank you very much. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center Tactical Plan numbers show financial progress Vicki Marsi noted progress in March year-to-date numbers, now at 3.5 percent, indicating cost reduction and improvement in financial progress. She pointed out how the hospital is above the goal for this measure in the tactical plan.   Shirley Brown, technology assessment coordinator and administrator for the QuickFind Equipment Tracking System, demonstrated the system, which is designed to track and locate within the Medical University Hospital and Children’s Hospital moveable clinical patient care equipment. Using transmitters attached to each piece of equipment, the system can pinpoint its location by description or identification number. The location is displayed with a picture of the device on a map showing its location by building, floor number and room. The tracking transmitter is smaller than a hospital pager and is powered by a battery that allows it to transmit continuously for up to two years.   Plans are to expand the tracking system to include Rutledge Tower and the Institute of Psychiatry. Ongoing training in the use of the system is available. Better Speech and Hearing Month Diane Andrews and Bonnie Martin-Harris, Ph.D., announced a free screening  for people with concerns about their hearing, communication (voice, articulation, language, fluency), feeding/swallowing. The screening is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 13, on the second floor of Rutledge Tower. Andrews and Martin-Harris represent the MUSC Evelyn Trammell Institute for Voice and Swallowing. The screening serves to recognize Speech and Hearing Month and is sponsored by the MUSC Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and the Department of Speech Language Pathology. Those interested may call 727-6400 with questions or to make an appointment for the screening. Walk-up appointments are welcome, Andrews said. Professional Recognition Marilyn Schaffner, on behalf of the MUSC Medical Center, recognized persons in Clinical Services, the Children’s Hospital, the Heart and Vascular Center, the Institute of Psychiatry and Ambulatory Care Services who have published professional papers, given presentations, received honors and awards, have been elected or appointed to positions in professional organizations, and/or have been the recipients of research grants. Their names were read aloud during the meeting. Booklets acknowledging the individuals and their contributions were distributed.   A reception honoring those individuals will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. May 26 in the Storm Eye Institute Auditorium. Human Resources Update Human Resources employment and compensation manager Susan Carullo, during the May 3 hospital communications meeting, outlined the pay plan for fiscal year 2005-06. She noted that the information at this point is a plan to be approved by the administration and ultimately by the MUSC Board of Trustees. Pay for performance: Substantially exceeds expectation—5 percent; Exceeds —3.3 percent; and Meets—2 percent Detailed justification will be required for a substantially exceeds rating, Carullo said. She added that probationary employees hired before Oct. 31 “may receive a performance increase of 2 percent and that Human Resources should be notified if an increase needs to be withheld due to poor performance. PTO Cash-in/Conversion: Eligible employees may cash in paid time off or convert PTO to ESL up to 40 hours twice a year (July 11 and/or Dec. 12). She added that the cash-in incentive will be dependent upon the Medical Center’s financial status. Additional incentives: Increased certification incentive (Certification incentive guidelines are available in Human Resources) - $1,100-first time certification and up to $500 toward recertification registration fee or processing fee.     On-call pay rate for hourly employees will be increased from $2 per hour to $3 per hour.   Friday, May 13, 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.