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MUSC Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction Hagood parking lot lights Rumor: There have been several rumors submitted concerning the perceived need for additional lighting and security in the Hagood parking lot. Truth: As a result of your inquiry, the Department of Public Safety was asked to conduct a security assessment. Based on the results of that assessment,   the appropriate action will be taken to ensure lighting and other security measures are implemented. Open toed shoes in hospital and clinic Rumor: There have been several rumors submitted indicating confusion  relative to allowance of open toed shoes in the hospital by patient care givers. Truth: The following Personal Appearance/Dress Code Policy (A04) addresses these rumors: “Footwear/Shoes: Shoes worn by direct patient care employees must be clean, well kept (with laces tied) and should have an enclosed toe. White leather, athletic style shoes, nursing shoes or unit approved rubber clogs may be worn by those providing patient care.” Hagood parking lot Rumor: Since parking in the Hagood lot is free, is Parking Management not concerned with growing unsafe conditions (potholes, broken glass, trash, and lack of lighting) that afflict the lot? Truth: Many of the lots and garages in use today are owned and operated by MUSC, making them much easier to maintain and secure. The Hagood lot is one of the unique exceptions. It is owned by the City of Charleston, thus Parking Management negotiated with city officials regarding the number of spaces available for MUSC use and the maintenance that should be provided as part of the fee to secure these spaces. In regard to the safety and condition of the Hagood lot, MUSC’s Department of Public Safety conducted a security survey. The survey revealed that lights were out in the Hagood lot, so  the city replaced those. A bus shelter on Line Street is being installed, and as part of that project,  additional lighting  is being installed. As to the surface condition of the lot, several months ago gravel was brought in to fill holes that had developed. AIDET training Rumor: I heard that if I do not attend AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation and Thank You—MUSC Excellence) training I will be terminated from MUSC. Furthermore, it has been said that JCAHO will take away MUSC’s JCAHO accrediation if 100 percent of all employees do not attend. Truth: All employees are expected to take part in AIDET training; however, JCAHO does not require AIDET training. Every effort will be made to ensure AIDET training is conveniently scheduled. Hopefully AIDET training will be well received by everyone. Employees who refuse to complete the training that is conveniently scheduled, like other necessary training, could be placed in a progressive discipline process. Parking for the new hospital Rumor: It has been rumored that there will be no parking for after-hours employees near the new facility when it opens. Is this true? Truth: The details of the program are still under development, but parking for employees working after hours at the new hospital will be provided near the new hospital, most likely in the Courtenay Drive garage. Smoking hut Rumor: Is it true that even though the smoking hut was built specifically for smokers, people can still smoke in front of the main entrance and the library? Will a smoke free environment be enforced for the rest of us? Truth: The MUSC enterprise has adopted a revised smoking policy that will limit smoking to designated areas around campus. To prepare for this policy change, the university is in the process of building a number of shelters to be used by those employees who smoke. The initial shelter, located near the main hospital entrance and designated for use by patients and visitors, has been completed and is in use. The other shelters are scheduled to be completed within the next month. Once that is accomplished, the revised policy will be announced to the campus community and smoking will be limited to the appropriate locations on campus. Managers and supervisors will be asked to assist in the enforcement of the policy by encouraging employees who smoke to use the appropriate shelters. The Department of Public Safety and Hospital Security will also assist in this process by directing individuals who are smoking outside of the designated areas to move to the nearest designated smoking location. The MUSC community will receive notification when the shelters are completed and the policy is in effect. Flu shot Rumor: I heard that if you did not get the flu shot and then got sick, you would not be paid. Truth: The Medical Center encourages eligible employees to receive the influenza vaccine and offers it as a benefit to the employees. However, if an employee declines the vaccine and/or otherwise contracts the illness and is unable to report to work, the absence will be treated as any other illness. The Human Resources PTO policy #18 outlines the provision of use of PTO, SML and ESL for illnesses. For information, refer to the PTO policy #18 on the MUHA intranet or contact Mark Stimpson, Benefits and Records manager, at 792-9320. Voting Rumor: I heard several different rumors about time-off being allowed for voting. Is there a consistent policy for medical center employees? Truth: The Medical Center’s Human Resources paid time off (PTO) policy #18 addresses administrative leave for voting purposes in the Paid Administrative Leave (PTO not charged) section of the policy. When employees cannot reasonably reach the designated polling place before or after scheduled working hours, a maximum of two hours paid leave will be authorized. The supervisor may require written justification for an employee’s inability to reach the polling location during off duty hours. Computers Rumor: Is it true that Human Resources can process financing with Dell for a computer or laptop with payments deducted from your payroll for employees? Truth: MUSC does not offer an employee computer purchase program. There is no payroll deduction process in place for this purpose. For information, contact Susan Carullo, University Human Resources Management, at 792-2130. Parking Rumor: I park in the Rutledge Tower parking garage  and see employees turning into this garage to park for the day—this is 6:30 a.m. How are these employees allowed to park in this garage during the daytime during the week? Truth: It has been reported that some employees with after-hours parking privileges are parking in the Ashley-Rutledge garage while working during the day. Any employee who abuses after-hours parking privileges is potentially jeopardizing the freedom and convenience provided by parking access cards. Officials,  administrators and managers are investigating the matter to determine what abuse may have occurred or is occurring. It should be noted that administrators have little tolerance for parking abuses. Bee Street garage Rumor: I heard that security had limitations in what they could cover, but did not believe this until recently. I was followed by a man in the garage on Bee Street several days ago. When I approached the corner of the garage I noticed a police officer standing there. I asked him if he had seen the man I was talking about and he told me that he hadn’t been in the garage because he is supposed to just stand on that corner a prescribed amount of time each day. Truth: It is the policy of the Department of Public Safety to investigate all complaints brought to the attention of one of our officers. There is no prescribed amount of time that a Public Safety officer must stand on the corner of President and Bee streets, or any other location on campus. Officers were advised to patrol all parking garages and surface lots to ensure the safety of all employees/visitors to the university. In response to this rumor mill inquiry, the patrol commander has addressed each of the supervisors on patrol and instructed them to emphasize the importance of investigating all complaints. Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.     Friday, Dec. 1, 2006 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 catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.