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MUSC Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction   North area facility Rumor: Is it true that the UMA is operating the new north area facility and will soon be posting job opportunities there? Truth: This is a UMA venture. It is projected to open in December. It will be a multispecialty outreach location similar to the clinical facility in Mount Pleasant, and is designed to serve the many patients in the north area with a more convenient access point to MUSC services, as well as provide an access point for new patients. It will have representation from the departments of Medicine, Otolarnygology, Dermatology, high risk Obstetrics, vascular surgery, and perhaps more. Job positions  were posted and one position was filled, which was for site manager; and UMA currently is developing the staffing model for nursing and clinical support staff. Once this is completed, all positions will be posted on the UMA Human Resources Web site, and any interested and qualified candidates for these positions will be encouraged to apply. Parking/bus Rumor: I heard that when the new hospital opens the Ashley Avenue bus will resume its old route and will stop in front of the new hospital. Truth: University transportation officials are planning a stop on Courtenay to service the new hospital. When the exact location, schedule, and route have been finalized, the information will be communicated widely to the university community. Blacktop asphalt Rumor: Why did the university find it necessary to resurface the nice  emergency room entrance with black top instead of the shell concrete that previously was there? Truth: The plans for asphalt resurfacing the emergency room entrance drive and parking lot were coordinated with the management of the ER and Ambulance Service (Meducare). The white tabby drive surface was cracked and breaking up, making patient transport difficult from ambulance to ER, etc. The project also allowed removal of the circle at the turnaround, giving the larger ambulances more room. Time was also important, because the ER is always open and cannot have entrances and ambulance traffic blocked for long periods. The asphalt was done quickly, while the tabby repair and overlay would have taken much more time. Public Safety Rumor: I have heard that the police officers in the Department of Public Safety are not police officers. Is this true? Truth: The Department of Public Safety employees are both Public Safety officers and state security officers. The state security officers are assigned to Harborview Office Tower and the Hagood parking Lot. These six officers, although highly trained,  are not police officers. The majority of the Department of Public Safety officers are sworn police personnel who are appointed and commissioned as state constables by the governor of  South Carolina. They are empowered to enforce the laws of South Carolina with statewide jurisdiction and arrest powers. All of the Department of Public Safety officers are class 1 law enforcement officers and have completed the same nine-week course at the South Carolina State Criminal Justice Academy that all law enforcement officers in the state are required to complete. CMH parking Rumor: I was told by my supervisor that we should obtain parking decals to park in the Charleston Memorial Hospital parking lots after hours. I’ve obtained my decal but others haven’t and they are able to park there without being ticketed. I’d like to see the rules enforced a lot more than it currently is. Do we need a parking decal or not for after hour parking in the CMH lot. Truth: Yes, all employees who wish to park in MUSC after-hours parking locations, including the CMH surface lot, are required to register with the Office of Parking Management and obtain and display an after-hours hang tag. OPM appreciates being made aware that not everyone is registering and will take corrective action. Phone numbers Rumor: I heard it is a hospital policy that no one is to give out the extension of another employee. I know that when a patient calls he normally get a scheduling department, which then is supposed to transfer the call to the audix of the employee needing to be contacted. Is this correct? Truth: UMA-Ambulatory Care has requested calls not to be sent to the clinics. All external calls are directed to Scheduling for screening. All other callers are directed to individual extensions, and numbers are provided. Freeze on transfers Rumor: I heard a rumor that if a department is severely understaffed, the director or nurse manager of that department has the right to put a freeze on any employees transferring to another department within the hospital. Is this true? Truth: The Medical Center management team supports transfers that meet employees’ personal and professional growth needs. However, if necessary, transfers may be put on hold in order to meet patient care needs. Public Safety Rumor: Can the Department of Public Safety officers make  traffic stops on campus streets? Truth: MUSC Public Safety officers can and do write citations for traffic infractions on campus. The only caveat is that the violation must be personally observed by the officer before enforcement action can be taken. For information, visit http://www.musc.edu/publicsafety/. New parking garage Rumor: A new parking garage is planned to be built adjoining the Central Energy Plant. Will this garage be for employees or is this parking for the public? Truth: The 1,500-space parking garage adjoining the Central Energy Plant will include a small retail space and space for an ambulatory care unit. While some parking must be reserved for the customers and patients of these units, the current plan is to reserve the majority of the spaces in this garage for employees and students. As is true with any of MUSC parking facilities, that is subject to change based on the needs of the campus community.   Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/. Friday, Sept. 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.