Return to Main Menu

Currents July 15 To Medical Center Employees: Thanks to everyone who participated in the recent Medical Center Employee Perspective Survey.   The preliminary report from Press Ganey Associates survey firm indicates 5,268 employees completed the survey. We had a participation rate of 81 percent compared to 74.1 percent last year and 66 percent two years ago. The survey contained a total of 79 questions and enabled narrative comments. Our overall mean score was 68.4 compared to 65.3 last year. We met and exceeded our medical centerwide mean score goal of 67.3.   We are pleased with the progress and are committed to continuing improvements in the future. We will use the survey score as our baseline for setting the employee satisfaction goal for fiscal year 2008-2009.   While we received some of the overall survey results from Press Ganey, we are continuing to receive data and hope to have final reports around the end of August. Similar to last year, department-based meetings will be held to roll out the survey results and to develop action plans.   In the weeks ahead, training will be made available to new managers to assist them in preparations to roll out the survey results and develop actions. More information concerning the training will be provided soon.   On another matter, plans are being made for the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Walk on Sept. 20. I am encouraging departments to sponsor or lead a walking team. Additional details are explained in this newsletter.   Thanks to all for a job well done. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center Service—Serving the public with compassion, respect and excellence Joseph Massey, president and founder of JTM Associates, Incorporated, the company working with University Communications in its voicemail convergence, provided updates to the upcoming changeover. The switch from the old Audix system to Modular Messaging (MM) and voice messages was pushed back one week to July 25 at 8 a.m. At this time, voice messages will be delivered to Exchange Inbox folders where they can be retrieved by phone or computer. Audix users who have not migrated to Exchange need not worry; voicemail accounts can be managed by the phone. People—Fostering employee pride and loyalty American Heart Association Heart Walk      Stuart Smith, vice president for clinical operations and executive director, MUSC Medical Center, shared details of the upcoming American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Walk scheduled for Sept. 20. MUSC is actively involved with AHA and have been major sponsors and participants of their events, especially their Get With the Guidelines program. In recognition of being one of 25 hospitals in the United States to participate in three AHA programs, MUSC will be recognized as a “Triple Crown” winner July 21. There also will be a listing of Triple Crown winners in U.S. News & World Report.   MUSC fundraising efforts usually total between $75,000 and $100,000 each year. The following groups work especially hard raising money: Little Hearts, a non-profit organization that raises more than half of MUSC’s annual AHA contribution through gifts from former patients and families; Bill Spring and the heart and vascular team; and Pharmacy staff.   The message coming from the recent AHA Mid-Atlantic board meeting is that present economic conditions are particularly tough for philanthropic organizations. MUSC greatly benefits from the relationship with the AHA; peer-reviewed grants and funding for junior faculty members. Departments are encouraged to sponsor or lead a walking team in this year’s Heart Walk.   For more information on the walk, call 876-4224 or e-mail springw@musc.edu. Healthy Charleston Challenge Janis Newton, director of the aerobics programs in the Harper Student Center, announced applications are being accepted for the next MUSC Healthy Charleston Challenge, a 12-week fitness and weight loss program designed to increase physical activity and the development of positive lifestyle habits. The first Challenge group lost more than 1,550 pounds. In addition, half of the participants got off their medications due to improved health.   South Carolina is one of the unhealthiest states in the country. The governor has challenged the state to lead healthier lives, so MUSC implemented its version of the state’s Healthy South Carolina Challenge. Jenny Sanford, first lady of South Carolina,  joined the effort as an honorary chair-person.   Laurie Zone-Smith, who was one of the original Challenge participants, shared her experience in the competition. Zone-Smith not only lost weight, but lowered her cholesterol. She also advised potential participants to register early. The next program begins Sept. 11.   Pre and post testing occurs one week before the weigh-in, nutrition and educational meeting are held every Thursday evening, and team building activities and group workouts are offered. Participation also includes a Wellness Center membership for the duration of the program. Participants should be at least 25 pounds overweight and in need of permanently changing lifestyle habits for decreased risk of chronic disease.   If your department would like to start or sponsor a team, sign up at http://www.musc.edu/hsc or the membership desk at the Wellness Center. Applications will be reviewed and accepted based on need for lifestyle change.   For information, call 792-4141 or e-amil newtonj@musc.edu.  Standard of Behavior of the Month (August) Kim Phillips, service line administrator for the transplant center, reviewed the upcoming standard of behavior of the month, patient safety. The standard of patient safety relates to, but is not to be confused with, the University Medical Associates quarterly standard, taking pride in your workplace. Phillips challenged clinical staff to remain focused on patient safety and all non-clinical staff to identify ways to improve processes that will  eliminate distractions for clinical staff. Education Roll-Out Committee update Laurie Zone-Smith, Ph.D., R.N., manager of the Center for Professional Development and Clinical Education Resources, provided information on the Education Roll-Out Committee.   In June, the committee implemented the following procedures:  the accommodation code system is now run through the nursing intensity; a grant was obtained as a nursing compliance incentive; the E-Value changed; and the glucometers and docking stations were dispersed to staff.   In early July, a computerized MUSC Diet Order Form was announced and available for use starting July 21. In addition, Risk Management provided new clinical News You Can Use sheets on medication safety. Revisions have been made to Policy C-61 Medication and Intravenous IV Infusion Administration (Take Home Medications). Packaging changes also were noted for the standard morphine packaging; two milligrams replacing the four milligrams packages. Other changes include the Nutrition Support Team Order Form and the Adult PN Orders.   Coming up this week, there will be a presentation on the CATTS Version 5 Upgrade Implementation. Zone-Smith also reminded staff about the “Day One Get it Done” Campaign for vaccinations. Announcements Kristen Wachsmuth, R.N. joined the DDC Service Line team. Kathy Burt, R.N., 8W manager, will serve as interim 10E nurse manager. Rhonda Breland, R.N., nurse manager, HCC Thoracic Surgery Clinic, will assume the role as interim infusion services coordinator. Andrew Smith will serve as the business manager for Pharmacy Services. For the last two years, Smith worked as a grants administrator for the medical university. Angela Ohnesorge, R.N., was named the new nurse manager to the 9 East Neurosciences Unit, which will open around November after renovations are complete. Ohnesorge comes to MUSC from Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. Friday, July 18, 2008 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.