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To Medical
Center Employees:
At the June 15 management communications meeting, Rob Fowler, chief
meteorologist for WCBD-TV Channel 2, updated the management team on the
outlook for the hurricane season. Mr. Fowler reported the outlook is
for a very active hurricane season. Experts are predicting 18 named
storms including 10 hurricanes, five of which are predicted to be major
hurricanes. Mr. Fowler stated now is the time to get ready.
The management team should ensure everyone is familiar with
department-based weather emergency plans and relevant medical center
policies. Also, everyone should be aware of the Medical Center
Employees’ General/Emergency Information line (aka Green Card) and how
it is used. (Managers are now being notified to pick up hard copies of
the Green Card and it is also posted on the medical center intranet).
Through the years, Mr. Fowler and his Channel 2 associates have
provided our Incident Command Team with the most up-to-date weather
details as storms have developed. We are deeply appreciative for this
valuable service that he and others at Channel 2 have provided.
On another matter, we are kicking off a series of medical center town
hall meetings to be held over a two week period beginning June 17 at
the times and locations indicated below.There will also be several town
hall meetings conducted for large departments in place of their
regularly scheduled departmental meetings.
The town hall agenda will include a review of our fiscal year 2009/2010
organizational goals and progress; recognition of outstanding employees
and departments with exceptional patient satisfaction results;
highlights of the 2010 Employee Partnership Survey; discussion on the
performance evaluation and pay plan; and a review of the FY 2010/2011
organizational goals. The town hall presentation is expected to be
completed in 45 minutes including time at the end for questions and
answers.
Attendance at the town hall meetings is strongly encouraged. A video
will be posted on the intranet for those who are unable to attend.
W. Stuart Smith
Vice President for Clinical Operations
and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center
Town hall meetings
June 18, 11
a.m., IOP Auditorium; June 21, 11
a.m., ART Auditorium; June 22,
2 p.m., Gazes Auditorium; June 23,
7:30 a.m., SEI Auditorium; June 24,
10 a.m. and 3 p.m., 2 West Amphitheater; June 25, 10 a.m., SEI Auditorium
and 2 p.m., 2 West Amphitheater; June
28, 11 a.m., Room 120 Hollings Cancer Center; June 29, 11 a.m., 2 West
Amphitheater. Additional department-based sessions are scheduled but
not listed above.
People—Fostering
employee
pride
and loyalty
 2010 Hurricane
Season Update
Rob Fowler,
WCBD-TV 2 chief meteorologist, gave a preview of the 2010 Atlantic
Hurricane Season for the Lowcountry. Fowler predicts an active period
and compared hurricane forecasts from weather experts at Colorado State
University (Drs. William Gray and Phil Klotzbach), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and long-term average reports.
Gray and
Klotzbach’s predictions report: 18 tropical storms, 10 hurricanes and
five major hurricanes. NOAA’s forecast 14-23 tropical storms, eight to
14 hurricanes and three to seven major hurricanes; and long-term
average data reports 11 tropical storms, six hurricanes and two major
hurricanes.
According to
Fowler, this season’s anticipated activity can be attributed to the
changing effects of La Nina from El Nino in 2009. La Nina is a cooling
of the ocean surface temperatures occurring off the west coast of South
America and resulting in reduced upper level winds. The condition,
which occurs every four to 12 years, increases the formation of
tropical systems off the coast of Africa and Atlantic Ocean.
2010 hurricane
names are: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine,
Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary,
Tomas, Virginie and Walter.
Fowler reviewed
hurricane strikes from 1900 to 2007 in coastal South Carolina and
surrounding areas. He reminded managers that the National Weather
Service have changed the time period for hurricane watches and
warnings. A hurricane/tropical storm watch (potential of a storm) will
be issued 48-hours in advance (formerly 36 hours). A hurricane/tropical
storm warnings (storm is eminent; evacuation may occur) will be issued
36-hours in advance (formerly 24 hours). He cited reasons for this
change may be attributed to population growth in coastal areas and
improved weather forecasting.
Finally, Fowler
reminded managers and employees to be prepared both at home and at
work. Employees should review evacuation plans; fill gas tank,
bring in/anchor outdoor objects such as lawn furniture; secure
buildings by closing/boarding up windows; turn refrigerator and freezer
to coldest settings; and stay tuned for local weather updates using a
weather alert radio.
Announcements
- Yulia Milli is the new accounting manager in
hospital fiscal services. Milli has worked in the department since 2007.
- Kellyanne Caraviello, R.N., Nursing Quality and
Patient & Family Education Program Coordinator announced that the
hospitalwide contamination rate for May was 2.0 (up from 1.8 in April);
nursing contamination rate for May was 1.9 (down from 2.0); line draw
contamination rate was 1.3 (down from 1.5) and nursing peripheral
contamination rate was 2.2 (down from 2.3).
- Action O-I reports for the first quarter of
2010 (January to March) are now available in HBI. June Action O-I
training (occurring every 30 minutes on the hour): 1-4 p.m., June 24
and 8 a.m. to noon, June 30, Room 271 University Hospital
- MUHA’s employee general and emergency
information “green” cards are available for hospital employees. Contact
Angela Ladson, 792-6902.
- The next meeting is July 6.
Friday, June 18,
2010
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