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Currents To Medical Center Employees: Thanks to everyone who participated in the recent Medical Center Employee Perspectives survey. We had a participation rate of 74.5 percent compared to a 66.5 percent participation rate last year. The survey had 79 questions, including 12 new questions that were not in last year’s survey. Sixty-seven questions were repeated from last year’s survey and we increased the mean score for all 67 questions. Our overall mean score was 65.4 compared to 61.5 last year. We met and exceeded our medical centerwide mean score goal of 63.4. We are pleased with the progress and we are committed to continuing improvements in the future.   This year we had an advantage of having the Employee Perspectives system in place which enabled us to receive results from the Press Ganey survey firm more rapidly. We also required everyone to complete the survey online in order to streamline the processing of the data.   Our overall participation rate was very good, with some departments doing an exceptional job of achieving a response rate of 100 percent. I want to point out the outstanding teamwork of David Rivito, manager of Environmental Services, and his staff for achieving a participation rate of 91 percent. Environmental Services’ accomplishment is particularly noteworthy since most staff did not have direct computer access and completed their surveys in the computer training room.   While we have received some of the overall survey results from Press Ganey, we are continuing to receive data and hope to have final reports on or around Oct. 1. Similar to last year, we will plan department-based meetings to roll out the survey results and to develop action plans.   On another matter, on Sept. 11 and 12, our management team, including nearly all medical center supervisors with responsibility for hiring and performance evaluation, will take part in our seventh Leadership Development Institute (LDI). The upcoming LDI will focus on a variety of topics including: physician satisfaction; compensation and benefits education; internal customer survey results and goals; hourly rounding on patients; infection control; and meetings with high, middle and low performers. The LDI central theme will underscore the need to “always” be accountable.   Managers are expected to designate individuals to be in charge during their two day absence. We have full confidence of those left in charge and greatly appreciate their dedication. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center People: Fostering employee pride and loyalty Dave Northrup, director of Clinical Systems and John Dell, director of Financial and Administrative Systems, both of the Office of the OCIO, announced upcoming downtimes of multiple clinical and financial systems on campus. The downtimes will occur on the next two Sunday’s, Sept. 9 and 16.   Most of MUSC’s major information systems have their data stored on a Storage Area Network located in the IOP and Children’s Hospital computer rooms. Because the some of the equipment has had stability issues and is outdated, the infrastructure requires needed changes. In order to conduct this rare event effectively, OCIO has scheduled downtime of specific systems on two Sundays in September. Northrup reminded managers that the scheduled downtime would be a good opportunity for departments to test their own downtime procedures.   Meetings also are currently planned within clinical departments to help ensure the timeliness of these changes. Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to noon The following systems will not operate for a two-hour period. Affected systems: FileNet; Lynx (N and U Drives); Endoworks; Xythos Server (Daedalus); Homeroom (Stroke lab, departmental shares); Kronos, EEG; Sleep Lab; Premise; FormFast; 3M Coding; Interqual; Lanvision (Oacis viewable); Care Enhancement; Teamworks (UMS-GEAC Interface); Medflow; Radiology Embosser; Infospan; Meducare; Practice Partner images and Cayuse. Sept. 9, 1 to 3 p.m. Affected systems: Radiology Research (Minerva); Radiology PACS-Web1000 (and no Oacis viewing); Cardiology PACS (Cardacomweb); Adult Cardiology-GE Echo PACS and Pathology Dept Shares. Sept. 16, 9 a.m. to noon Affected systems: AGFA Pacs, Seimens Acom PACS and Cerner printing. Sept. 16, 1 to 4 p.m. Affected systems: Keane; Lanvision (Not Oacis viewable); 3M Coding; Interqual; Premise; FormFast; IMAP and Groupwise Email; Intranet (myMUSC); Smartstream; ANSOS; Practice Partner; LYNX-I drive; PICIS; Teamworks - (UMS-GEAC Interface); FileNet; WebCT; Homeroom and Pediatric Cardiology (Images/Xlbase). HR update Employees can access their new employee ID number via MyRecords at the MUHA HR intranet at http://mcintranet.musc.edu/hr/generalinfo/myrecords.htm. Standard Behavior of the Month—10/5 Rule Challenge June Darby, director of Therapeutic Services, announced that the 10/5 Challenge  will be jointly featured as the Standard of the Month with the College of Medicine/UMA and medical center’s Excellence efforts.   Standards of Behavior serve to: build a culture of excellence; align behaviors with MUSC goals and values; build individual accountability and define clear expectations of behavior.   Darby reminded the audience that the Standard of the Month applies to all MUSC faculty, staff, residents and students providing an opportunity to hardwire standards of behavior across the entire organization. These joint standards will be highlighted every two months.   The 10/5 Challenge acknowledges an individual from 10 feet away by making eye contact and smiling and saying “hello” at five feet away. A poster promoting the challenge is available for managers to post at http://mcintranet.musc.edu/muscexcellence/progress.htm.   Darby also announced the formation of a new joint MUSC Standards Team. The team, which includes the entire institution, is headed by Fred Crawford, M.D., leader; Brenda Falls, champion; and Cathy Matney, Studer Group Coach. Members include Gwen Brown, Ben Clyburn, M.D., June Darby, Edward Hay, M.D., Jim Norris, Ph.D., Angela Rank, Dana Tumbleston, Barbara Williams, Terry Wilson and a university representative. Education roll-out update Laurie Zone-Smith, Ph.D., R.N., reviewed several topics discussed at the Aug. 16 meeting. She spoke of the new version of On-Line IV Insulin Infusion Calculator and how staff will be trained to support this as of Oct. 1. The diabetes service is keenly supportive to this as they are pursuing certification with the Joint Commission within coming months. Other projects reviewed include the CVL Bundle education program; preventing medication omission with duplex bags; the FormFast; Hypertonic Saline and Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Medication projects.   More information can be found at: http://www.musc.edu/clined/Ed%20Roll-Out/index.htm. Announcements Mitchelle Morrison, OCIO, congratulated medical center staff for achieving 50 percent compliance so far in the NetIDs activation process. On Sept. 10, a broadcast message and schedule will feature deadlines and details reminding employees to activate their NetID. The revised deadline for NetID activation is Sept. 24. Kathleen White, clinical manager, MUHA Construction and Design, described plans for changing out sleeper chairs and sofas within adult patient areas of the main hospital. An open house for employees to evaluate proposed furniture choices is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 17 and 18, at the 10 Center Game Room, main hospital. Participants can enjoy free coffee and breakfast pastries as they try out the new furniture. Darcy Ann Kales joined the Heart & Vascular Center administration as a director. Bill Spring, Heart & Vascular Center administrator, reminded employees of the American Heart Association’s annual Heart Walk Sept. 29. The three-mile route starts at the South Carolina Aquarium at 9 a.m. A 1.5 mile route is also planned. MUSC is a major sponsor in this effort. To date, MUSC received more than $1.5 million in heart-related research grants. Visit http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3030005. Gail Heitman has joined DDC administration working with the DDC Service Line. Heitman, who was with MUSC from 1993 to 2001, previously worked in DDC/Oncology, 10E, 10W, 8W units and the Heart Center. Kellie Suggs is the new DDC Service Line business manager. Suggs, who’s been with MUSC since 2003, was formerly business manager with surgical services.     Friday, Sept. 7, 2007 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.