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MUSC Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction
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Firm ground
The new “On Firm Ground” initiative to reduce falls seems to be a great
idea. But in light of the funding situation of the hospital, I was
wondering how much money was spent on the blue and yellow wrist bands? Answer:
Thank you for your endorsement of the “On Firm Ground” initiative. Each
patient fall costs the hospital approximately $38,000, and the cost is
no longer reimbursed by Medicare as it is considered “a condition that
could have been reasonably prevented.” The wrist bands were purchased
for $870 to increase awareness and infuse passion for preventing falls
throughout the organization.
Wearing ID badges
Is the hospital fined by the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for employees not wearing their ID badges?
Answer: The
S. C. Patient Safety Act requires clinical staff and other designated
care providers to wear ID badges. DHEC enforces the Patient Safety Act.
Violations are subject to penalties imposed by DHEC. Employees who
recognize someone without an ID should let the employee know or
contact their supervisor or medical center security.
Bricks from the G lot
Is it true that the bricks from the old brick wall surrounding the G parking lot are being thrown away during the construction?
Answer: Thank
you for your interest in the Drug Discovery and Bioengineering
Buildings' Construction Project. The portion of the brick wall along
President and Jonathan Lucas streets that was demolished is not
historic, and the bricks are not historic. Arrangements were made to
send the bricks to be recycled as a part of the construction contract.
Demolition materials, including concrete and metals, were also
recycled.
Bus routes
Not a rumor, but a question. On Aug. 29 in the midst of a thunderstorm,
I attempted to get to the shuttle that would take me from Family
Medicine to Harborview. Three busses passed by me as I flagged them for
a pickup. By the time the third bus drove by I was soaked and ended up
walking to the parking garage. The streets were flooded of course,
which ruined a brand new pair of shoes and a rayon dress. Will you
please clarify the policy to stopping for employees? I know Family
Medicine is not a scheduled stop, but a requested one.
Answer: You
are correct, the Family Medicine bus stop is by request only. The bus
drivers will be instructed to be more attentive to the Family Medicine
stop.
Rutledge Tower smoking area
There is only one bench that seats two at the Rutledge Tower smoking
area. Besides employees, there are many patients and families that use
this area. Would it be possible to get more seating in that area?
Answer: Arrangements are being made to add an additional bench in that location.
Pediatric ICU parents
When a parent whose child is critically ill in one of our intensive
care units wishes to stay the night rather than leave the building,
where can they rest?
Answer: At
this time the Children’s Hospital does have the seventh floor waiting
area available with recliners for families who would like to rest. The
eighth floor waiting area is larger and is used to accommodate those
needing to be close to the ICUs. The Ronald McDonald Family Room is
available during the daytime hours. As 7East opens as a pediatric unit,
it's a possibility to open more waiting areas and collaborate
with the Ronald McDonald House again.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) increase
I saw on the Rumor Mill that employees will be charged $25 more on the
health insurance if we don’t send in a piece of paper stating that we
are nonsmokers. I called BCBS and was told that MUSC HR was supposed to
notify us. I checked my e-mail, my cubby and I received nothing in the
mail and many of my coworkers know nothing about this. Why haven’t we
been notified?
Answer: Yes,
you are correct; all employees who are medically insured with one of
the four state-sponsored health plans must certify that they have been
tobacco free for the prior six months otherwise a $25 surcharge will be
added to their health insurance premiums beginning Jan. 1. Since MUSC
was notified in May, two announcements were in Currents, one article
was featured in The Catalyst, a response was made to a similar Rumor
Mill question, two e-mails were sent to all benefits eligible
employees, and in early August, the Employee Insurance Program sent out
a mailer to the home addresses of those individuals who hadn’t, at that
time, responded. You may certify online by visiting http://www.eip.sc.gov
and then clicking on “My Benefits” and following the instructions (you
will need the number written on your medical insurance card) or by hard
copy available at your HR office. The e-mail discussing this subject
will be re-sent several times before year’s end. For information, call
your HR office. Medical center employees should call 792-0820 and for
the university call 792-9679.
Re-opening of the cafeteria
We were originally told that the renovation of the cafeteria would
completed by September. Now I’m hearing it may be December. Is this
true?
Answer:
The initial projections for completion was September for the main
cafeteria and December for the Subway Shop and Connie’s Pizza. The
project start date was delayed due to design and other project issues.
The main cafeteria is expected to be ready to serve visitors and
employees by mid-November, and the Subway and pizza areas will be ready
as planned by year end.
Reproduced from http://www.carc.musc.edu/rumormill
Friday, Sept. 11, 2009
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