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Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction Scrub Specific Rumor: I heard the hospital is specifying the color of scrubs for employees in the hospital. As a new human service specialist, what color scrubs should I purchase? Truth: The dress code may be adopted immediately but will go into effect for all clinical staff on March 1, 2007. The MUSC Medical Center arranged for an on-site sale of scrubs with the selected colors March 30 and 31. The color of scrubs for your position at the Institute of Psychiatry is a sage green scrub top and black scrub pants. MUSC Childcare Rumor: Is MUSC investigating the option of providing faculty and staff with a child care center similar to the services offered by the College of Charleston? This seemed to be an excellent idea given the size of the institution. Is this going to be a reality? Truth: In response to this need, the university established a combined MUHA/MUSC committee to explore the needs and establish guidance for the implementation of an on or near campus childcare center. Under the leadership of this committee, actions taken to date include, 1) determining probable demand, 2) developing a business plan, 3) exploring possible sites, and 4) identifying vendors who could operate the center. The committee, in conjuction with a candidate vendor, is now in the process of making the final determination of the feasibility and scope of a start up program at MUSC. R.N. Initiatives Rumor: I heard that the realignment and equity adjustments for registered nurse (R.N.) salaries has been looked at and no changes are going to be made. Truth: The R.N. nursing scales were reviewed and revised. Human Resources is reviewing nursing salaries on an individual basis. This analysis should be complete by April 1 and recommendations for any necessary pay increases will be submitted to administration. The bonus hours program was reviewed in the fall and a determination was made at that time by nursing leadership to discontinue the program effective Feb. 1. This is not related to any equity adjustments that may occur in the future. For information, call Susan Carullo at 792-1684. Uniforms and Dress Code Rumor: The Medical Center administration has asked that the following information be posted in response to the many questions that keep appearing on the Rumor Mill regarding uniforms and dress codes. Truth: In response to the many inquiries received by the Rumor Mill regarding dress codes and uniforms, visit http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/dresscode/index.htm which provides all relevant facts. Education Center/Library Building Doors Rumor: What is rumor and what is fact with respect to recent lock changes to the doors on the ground floor of the Education Center/Library Building ? Truth: With the renovations of the Education Center/ Library completed, a security system was installed that is similar to those in other buildings on campus. The first floor of this building contains classrooms and study space creating a need to cut down on non-educational traffic for noise and security purposes. The front door to the building is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., after which it is available only by card access. Other external doors are available for entry only by card access as are stairwells to prevent unnecessary traffic in the classroom areas. The North Stairwell door is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for access to the stamp machine. The inner doors to the classroom area are open during working hours. The system is set up so if you are inside you can get out. In case of a fire, the alarm system cuts the power to allow all doors to open. This plan was designed by a collaborative group representing students, administration, Public Safety, and the library. The plan was approved by the President’s Council. Holiday Pay Rumor: The VA pays double time for holidays worked. Every other area hospital pays at least time and a half, with several also offering bonus pay. Truth: The Medical Center administration will soon kick off the budget planning process for fiscal year 2006/07. The compensation program will be considered as a part of the budget planning process. Compensation plan priorities will be evaluated based on market and internal equity and our ability to fund. VIP Rumor: MUSC treats some patients as VIPs. Is it MUSC’s policy to identify certain patients as VIP and then they get special treatment? If so, what is a VIP? Is it someone who donates to the hospital, or someone with great influence? If not, how does the executive health program fit into the whole scheme? Truth: The Medical University has a policy to treat all patients with respect and the highest quality possible. There is one standard of care at the institution, and that is to give every patient the best care possible. As an institution, MUSC is fortunate to have friends who work voluntarily to support the Medical University, and these individuals often seek care here. The Executive Health Program is a medical evaluation service that is available to anyone who is interested on a fee-for-service basis. Dress Code Rumor: I think the new dress code is a great idea. However, during my last hospitalization I was confused by the fact that everyone from nurses, to blood drawers, to dieticians were wearing long white coats. I had heard that they were only worn by medical doctors. With the new dress code, will long white coats distiguish physicians alone? Truth: The Medical Center established a uniform dress code for staff who have direct contact with patients and their families. The dress code may be adopted immediately, but will go into effect for all clinical staff on March 1, 2007.  Many disciplines will wear warm up jackets in the same color as their designated scrub color or a print jacket with the background color the same as their designated scrub color. Registered nurses may combine white with their designated color royal blue. Some disciplines will continue to wear white lab coats. Parking Tickets Rumor: Who is in charge of enforcing those yellow parking tickets employees, visitors, etc.. receive in the parking garages and meters located around the campus? Truth: Yellow parking tickets are City of Charleston parking citations. They are issued on city streets by City of Charleston parking enforcement officers and on the MUSC campus by MUSC Office of Parking Management and Department of Public Safety parking enforcement officers and police officers. While appeals of MUSC-issued citations are heard on campus by an MUSC hearing officer, MUSC does not take payments, and parking fines and fees are not deducted from employee pay checks. All parking fees for citations issued at MUSC are payable  to the city, and the city is responsible for collecting all unpaid fines and fees. Magnet Status Rumor: Have MUSC’s endeavors towards Magnet Status been suspended? Truth: This rumor is true as the following from W. Stuart Smith, executive director, explains. “The staff of MUSC Medical Center has embarked on many initiatives and projects to position the hospital as the best patient care provider and best place to work. Our frontline patient care staff and managers are integral members in decision-making and implementation as we build a new hospital, back fill space in the main hospital, deploy the new order entry system, remain continuously ready for JCAHO accreditation visits and Hardwire Excellence into our workplace culture. In an effort to recognize the demands placed on our staff, I have asked the nurses and clinicians involved in the Magnet designation process to postpone their official efforts. In addition, the McNair leadership training and other programs will be postponed. I believe Magnet designation is important and is well deserved. When the timing is right, I am confident MUSC will successfully achieve designation. The commitment and dedication of our nurses who started our journey to excellence are to be commended, and they should know that while it may shift form, the direction of our journey is always the same…excellence.” Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.     Friday, March 24, 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 papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.