Jim Brook, Oncology Service Line administrator, and Kim Phillips, Transplant Service Line Administrator, shared information at the quarterly town hall event.

Service – Serving the public with compassion, respect and excellence
Even though results in the 2nd and 3rd quarters are exceptional, low results in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2012 have challenged the hospital to achieve the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) composite and patient perception goals during this period. The AVATAR patient perception goals are on target with 92.10 (Goal 92.34) so far in May.

People – Fostering employee pride and loyalty
We are awaiting final results from both the Employee Commitment and Physician Satisfaction surveys.

Quality – Providing quality patient care in a safe environment
The hospital's achievements for hand hygiene compliance continue to impress as results have surpassed set goals and climbed to 92 percent (stretch goal: 90 percent). Unfortunately, recent results for ideal care goals came up short this quarter at 2.85 (goal: 3.5).

Finance – Providing the highest value to patients while ensuring financial stability
Staff continue to work on improving our costs per discharge efforts which stands at $9,269 as of March (goal: $8,750). Net income is projected to be significantly below goal this year.

Growth – Growing to meet the needs of those we serve
Projected growth in both inpatient admissions and outpatient visits will meet goal this year.

Brook reviewed the HCAHPS composites in detail and verified that patient feedback had improved from second quarter than first quarter FY2012. There is room for improvement in the composites, responsiveness of staff; cleanliness and quietness of hospital. It is expected that if the hospital maintains its current performance through May then we can close the fiscal year with achieving 5-6 composites in the 75th percentile.
Meeting the 2012 Year to Date budget is expected to be challenging. Through March, the hospital is $6.4 million behind and net income is expected to be lower than expected this quarter. The remainder of the fiscal year is expected to be extremely tight, which is somewhat influenced by the Epic Electronic Medical Record rollout in clinics and a temporary change in clinic schedules.

MUSC Health Strategic Plan
Phillips reminded employees of MUSC's alignment with the College of Medicine, MUSC Physicians and MUHA to establish the MUSC Health Strategic Plan. The plan will guide the organization's three-year goal to be ranked among the top 25 academic medical centers in the country. It outlines seven core strategies that will help the institution reduce costs, provide the highest quality of patient care and cutting-edge research and raise MUSC's stature as a premier center. Phillips reviewed what employees can do to support the plan: be informed and involved, and most importantly continue the focus on great clinical care, service and controlling cost. To read more about the plan, visit http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/com/clinicalaffairs/Strategic_Plan/.

Magnet update
The medical center's commitment with the Magnet designation journey continues to make progress. Magnet designation is an award for health care organizations in recognition of high standards for quality of patient care and excellence in nursing practice.

Employee Commitment Survey
MUHA's Employee Commitment Survey was conducted April 16-27 and the organization achieved a record 80 percent overall response rates compared to 72 percent in 2011. Organization level and unit level scores will be available in June.

Looking ahead
- Hospital employees are invited to nominate a colleague or coworker for 2012 Employee of the Year. Nominees must demonstrate exceptional work for going above and beyond in their jobs. Online nominations will begin June 18 via the MUHA intranet.
- The medical center is preparing for an unannounced full hospital and behavior health survey visit by the Joint Commission beginning late May through December 2012. Educational information will be available in the coming weeks to help hospital staff prepare for the survey.
- The South Carolina House of Representatives and State Senate are currently reviewing two bills that may impose changes to the S.C. Retirement System. Once the bill is confirmed, the medical center will provide sessions for employees to explain changes.

Celebrating successes
- Several inpatient and outpatient units were recognized for hand hygiene excellence. Inpatient: Platinum -- NSICU (98.3 percent); 7West (98.3 percent); Gold – STICU (97 percent) and 2 JRU (96.3 percent); Outpatient: Platinum – HCC Phlebotomy Lab (100 percent) and Gold – Infectious Disease Clinic (96.77 percent) and OB/GYN Resident's Clinic (95.87 percent)
- MUSC Children's Hospital became the first in the state to be certified as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center; CPM HealthGrades , an online health care provider rating organization, recognized MUSC with the "Outstanding Patient Experience Award."
- 2011 Annual With Out One Fall (WOOF) Awards – Fewest injuries, NSICU and CCU; Fewest falls – MICU; and Most improved—IOP.

Town hall meeting schedule
The next meetings will be May 31 at 7:30 a.m., ART auditorium; 11 a.m., 2 West Amphitheater and 1 p.m., ART Auditorium; and June 1 at 10 a.m., 2 West Amphitheater.