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Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction New Hospital Lab Rumor: I heard two rumors concerning the new hospital and laboratory services. One: the new hospital will utilize an underground tube system to send all specimens back to the main lab. The other: there will be a free-standing lab primarily handling blood bank and some stat chemistry analyzers. Truth: It is true that a rapid underground tube system is being installed to transport blood products and patient specimens from the new hospital to the main laboratory in Children’s Hospital. A small laboratory space next to the operating rooms in the new hospital will be staffed to provide limited testing and blood product preparation for those patients in the operating room. Dress Code Rumor: Rumor has it that the dress code colors were predetermined before the voting was completed. Truth: The dress code colors selected to vote on were selected by groups of employees for that role. Approximately 75 employees gave input for the colors. There were a total of 934 votes cast and royal blue was selected as the first choice by several groups. As previously determined by the Dress Code Task Force, tie breakers were resolved with the majority vote getting the first choice. For more information, visit http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/surveys/dresscode/results.htm. President Street Parking Garage Rumor: I have heard there is insufficient oversight of traffic rules in the President Street Parking Garage. Truth: The posted speed limit in PGII is seven miles per hour. Those who drive too fast for conditions in PGII endanger the safety and welfare of employees and patients. Both Public Safety and Parking Management are aware of the problem and are taking steps to address the issue in as appropriate a manner as possible. Hospital Options Pool Staff Rumor: Since HOP staff and unit base HOP are both considered temporary staff, how does increasing the base pay rate for one and not the other considered a tool to retain staff? I know HOP staff, like myself, who have been in the pool for many years. I heard the goal is to force HOP staff to take permanent positions and to do away with HOP pool. Is this true? Truth: The unit-based temporary registered nurses, similar to HOP RNs, provide an essential role in meeting staffing needs. Unit-based RNs are placed on a regular schedule and do not “self-schedule.” In this respect, their schedules are similar to permanent RNs’ schedules. Concerns were raised about the disparity between the unit-based temporary RNs vs. the HOP. Hence, the pay rates for the unit-based RNs were adjusted. Refer to HR compensation policy #15 located on the Medical Center intranet for more details about the Medical Center’s pay practices. HOP Pay Rumor: I heard the pay raise within the HOP is considered a cost of living increase.If this is so, can HOP employees who did not receive a raise show evidence of living in the local area to be included since the cost of living increased just as the other employees? I also heard this is an attempt to retain employees thus further the “ Magnet Status” of MUSC. If this is true, I  wonder how not providing an equal opportunity to those who fill in the holes on the scheduled shifts is in any way an advancement toward providing a better work environment. Truth: The Medical Center values the expertise of the House Option Pool RNs. These dedicated individuals provide an essential role to help in meeting staffing needs and providing consistent quality care. Human Resources Compensation policy #15, located on the Medical Center intranet, explains the pay practices. The HOP pay rate has been attractive to the point that a number of permanent RNs left their roles for the higher HOP rates. The ultimate goal is to ensure competitive pay while maintaining internal equity. Clinical Associate Pay Raises Rumor: Rumor has it that CA’s will not receive cost of living raises, but cost of living raises are provided by the state so why isn’t every employee receiving a raise? Truth: CAs in regular (permanent) positions will be eligible for a performance pay increase effective the Dec.25 pay period (Jan. 18 pay date). Increases will be based upon the most recent peformance evaluation with a 2 percent for meets, 3.3 percent for exceeds and 5 percent for substantially exceeds. The Medical Center (Hospital Authority) is not subject to the state’s pay plan. Refer to HR Compensation policy #15 located on the Medical Center intranet for details or contact Susan Carullo (carullos@musc.edu or 792-1684) of the HR office or your manager for more information. Certified Nursing Assistant Rumor: I heard that all CNA’s are scheduled to get a pay raise in February. Is this true? Truth: The HR compensation policy #15 is posted on the Medical Center intranet. Also, this information is disseminated at the beginning of the fiscal year through the Currents newsletter. CNA’s in regular positions will be eligible for a performance pay increase the pay period beginning Dec. 25 (Jan. 18 pay check). Costco Rumor: Is it true that MUSC employees get a discount if they want a Costco card membership? Truth: Currently, MUSC does not have any on-going membership discount program with Costco. Hagood Lot Rumor: I heard there are plans to build a parking deck in the Hagood Lot to alleviate student/employee parking. Is this true? Truth: There are no plans to build a parking deck in the Hagood Lot. In conjunction with the Hospital Phase I development, a 1,500 car garage will be built on the corner of Bee and Courtney. The development of this garage is in the contract development phase and expected to open within a few months of the opening of the Hospital Phase I. On call Pay for Trades Spec IV’s Rumor: Is there any truth to the rumor that the Trades Specialist IV’s in the Electric Shop are being paid on call pay or have plans to receive on call pay? Truth: We do not have plans to implement an on call pay program within the Engineering and Facilities Unit. The on call program will be considered next fiscal year as a part of the budgeting process. Wellness Center Rumor: Rumor has it that the wellness center will be gone when the new hospital is built. Truth: It is not to be eliminated, but replaced. The exact location of the replacement is part of the campus master planning process and not yet determined. In all likelihood, the current Wellness Center will be in place for quite some time because of the multi-year phasing of the hospital replacement project. Smoke-Free Campus Rumor: I’ve heard the MUSC campus will be a smoke-free zone. Any truth to this rumor? Truth: A committee was formed to present recommendations to the President’s Council concerning modifications to MUSC’s Smoking Policy. As part of its review, the committee is looking at the potential of declaring MUSC a smoke-free environment, limiting all smoking to several designated areas on campus. The committee’s draft recommendations should be available for the President’s Council review in the first quarter of 2006. Anesthesia Shortage Rumor: I understand the hospital is considering hiring locum tenens anesthesia specialists when the new hospital opens. Is this true? Truth: Neither the Medical Center nor UMA have plans to hire locum tenens anesthesia specialists. Library Rumor: Is there a plan for a new electronic library on campus? Truth: Yes. MUSC family of faculty,staff and students have access to more than 5,000 electronic journals. Most of this through http://www.library.musc.edu/. Meanwhile, the MUSC Library staff have designed and implemented an electronic page for non-MUSC physicians. Harborview Garage Elevator Rumor: I heard the Harborview Garage elevator may be out for months again. Is this correct? If not, can you update us on why the elevator is down so often? Truth: We recently upgraded the Harborview Garage Elevator controls, but the elevator then developed an unrelated and unexpected hydraulic fluid leak. This required taking the elevator out of service until we can replace the hydraulic cylinder that projects about 45 feet into the ground directly beneath the elevator cab. The cylinder and associated materials are on order, with delivery scheduled in approximately six weeks. Completion of the work will culminate with the elevator back in operation at some point during the summer. Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.     Friday, Feb. 3, 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 Community Press at 849-1778, ext. 201.