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Currents To Medical Center Employees: At the Sept. 20 communication meeting Chris Kerrigan, president, Trident United Way (TUW), updated the management team on the myriad of community programs and services supported by TUW. Most recently TUW has played a major role in response efforts to the Hurricane Katrina disaster through its funding support to the American Red Cross.   Peggy Schachte, director, Office of Research Development, is this year’s MUSC TUW chair. Dr. John Heffner, executive medical director, MUSC Medical Center, will serve as the leadership chair. This year’s goal for MUSC is $215,000. The campaign runs through December.   While TUW information packets and contribution forms are issued to employees throughout MUSC, it is difficult to capture our attention through material issued by campus mail.  Mr. Kerrigan urged that we schedule departmental “face-to-face” briefings to improve understanding of TUW’s programs and to increase the overall percentage of employees contributing.  Departmental representatives are encouraged to contact Kristin Romness of the MUSC Development Office at 792-1973 to schedule a TUW briefing. Thank you very much. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center Updates announced for projects, staffing Human Resources director Helena Bastian presented an overview of the Employer of Choice subgroups’ current projects.   The Professional and Career Development work group has identified the need to establish a Professional Development Program. A cost analysis report is being developed and will be forwarded to Administration.   The Education and Competency work group has implemented a pilot “online” orientation for nursing students.  An “online” orientation for RN travelers is scheduled to go live on Oct. 14. The online orientation will serve as a general orientation to the Medical Center. It is not intended to take the place of a unit orientation which is required.  Also, a new JCAHO Personnel Unit File Guideline will be posted on the Intranet under the manager/staff toolbox (JCAHO). This tool will assist managers is assess unit personnel files to ensure they are in compliance with JCAHO’s HR standards.   The Recruitment and Retention work group has established a “Welcoming” sub-group to develope a hiring and retaining tool kit for managers. The sub-group members will also serve as ambassadors for the program and assist in welcoming new hires to the Medical Center. Members of the Recruitment and Retention workgroup are also assisting in additional activities including the Applause Committee, the Angel Tree Committee and the Hospital Week Committee.   In regards to the parking workgroup, Bastian announced that MUSC is  negotiating a contract with CARTA to add more buses to the routes.     Bastian also reminded the group of upcoming recognition programs to include Service Awards scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 22, a Retiree Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 29, and an Employee Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Staffing Indicators Update Laurie Zone-Smith of Clinical Services Administration presented a staffing indicators update.     A JCAHO standard initially introduced in July 2002 requires hospitals to select four “screening indicators” including two clinical/service and two human resource indicators to measure and assess “staffing effectiveness.” The purpose is to determine the relationship (e.g. correlation) of the indicators, with the understanding that no single indicator can directly demonstrate staffing effectiveness.   The Staffing Effectiveness Committee and the Quality Council selected the following indicators to trend and determine relationships across all inpatient units. Selected were: Reported falls vs. total nursing care hours, for which the data indicated no overall correlation. However, all falls were reported to the Falls Committee for investigation and specific action plans. Patient satisfaction scores vs. staff turnover. A weak correlation was reported for “Would Recommend” vs. Staff Turnover and no correlation was found for “Overall Quality of Care” vs. Staff Turnover. However, new methods are being planned to enhance patient satisfaction and to implement new practices for employee selection and retention. Changes in JCAHO standards include: 2002 standard required hospitals collect data on all inpatient units. 2005 standard modified to require no fewer than 2 units of divisions. Five patient care units for staffing effectiveness will be followed. They are 2 JRU, 7 East, 1 BICU, 3 North, and 8 East.     Friday, Sept. 23, 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.