Focus: November 5, 2009

FOCUS Employees who kick tobacco habit will earn a health premium discount

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n 2005, all Christiana Care Health System facilities went smoke free, inside and out. The next step in this journey is helping the employees of Christiana Care and their dependents stop using tobacco products forever.

As leaders in the health care community, we should set an example to inspire our community. That’s why, starting this fall, Christiana Care will offer a research-based program for employees and their Kicking the tobacco habit will earn employees dependents who want to kick the a $15 per pay health premium discount. tobacco habit.

Clinical News Tissue Procurement Center makes cancer research history

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Visitation guidelines change to help fight spread of flu

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New CMS-approved lab panels go live Nov. 11

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General News Caring for Yourself Update: Transformation Rewards Program

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Christiana Care is offering nicotine replacement medication plus one-onone and group counseling, all at no cost to you. Tobacco users enrolled in medical coverage who participate in the program will be rewarded with the same $15 per pay medical premium discount that non-tobacco users will receive starting July 1, 2010.

No. 1 reason to quit: Your health Smoking is responsible for 20 percent of deaths nationwide. Cigarettes cause more deaths than AIDS, auto accidents, alcoholism, cocaine, heroin, homicide and suicide combined.

In Delaware, lung cancer is outpacing every other cancer in mortalities. On a professional and personal basis, we at Christiana Care have witnessed the devastating effects lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and stroke have on patients, as well as the

profound grief it causes their loved ones.

People who do kick the habit will find that their health begins to improve immediately. In fact, the healing process begins within 20 minutes, as blood pressure drops to a healthier level, the pulse rate drops and the temperature of the hands and feet inches up as circulation improves.

Quitting lowers heart attack risk After eight hours, the level of carbon monoxide in the blood drops to normal. After only 24 hours, the chance of having a heart attack declines. And after 48 hours, people who stop smoking will notice that their ability to taste—and smell—their morning coffee has improved. Between three weeks and two months, it will become much easier to talk. As CONTINUED,

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Christiana Care is first among NCI-designated community cancer centers to submit tissue, blood samples for research One of an elite group of 14 centers in the United States selected to the NCI Community Cancer Centers Program, The Helen F. Graham Cancer Center established a tissue bank in 2003 in collaboration with the Department of Pathology. Christiana Care received The Cancer Genome Atlas award in September 2008, a $4.6 million, fouryear research subcontract funded by the NCI.

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he Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care is the first community hospital in the nation to submit specimens to the Biospecimen Core Resource (BCR) of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Project, part of a sweeping initiative by the National Cancer Institute that will help doctors diagnose, treat and even prevent cancer in the future.

“Being a part of the NCI’s Cancer Genome Atlas Project makes the individuals who are working on this very important program part of a legacy that will serve future generations,” says Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America endowed medical director, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center.

Collecting and storing samples of tissue and blood from cancer patients to study in the laboratory will help physicians learn more about changes

Cancer research nurses, left to right, are Samantha Carter, RN, Christine Czerwinski, RN, and Jennifer Painter, RN. that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer.

Researchers at BCR labs in Phoenix, Ariz., extract DNA from the specimens for genome sequencing. The sequencing helps researchers map a comprehensive atlas of molecular information listing the changes in genomes, or genetic material, found in various types of cancer.

Left to right are pathology team members Alicia Ward, Brenda Rabeno, Sue Kaczmarczyk and pathologist Mary V. Iacocca, M.D. 2

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Ultimately, doctors hope to tailor patients’ cancer treatment to their unique genetic profiles. The research also will help to identify patients who are most likely to respond to specific treatments in clinical trials.

The money enables the Graham Cancer Center to hire three research nurses who are responsible—under stringent NCI and Institutional Review Board standards—for identifying and following consenting patients post-operatively to collect data. The funding also provides for hiring two technicians in the Department of Pathology who work with the operating rooms at Christiana and Wilmington hospitals to obtain the biospecimens.

“The project takes the collaboration of research nurses, surgeons, and the Pathology Department and OR staff at both Christiana and Wilmington hospitals,” Dr. Petrelli says. “They are all outstanding individuals who make this project work.”

Workers at the Graham Cancer Center began collecting specimens for this groundbreaking project in March 2009.

In the beginning, the initiative involved only three types of tumors: brain (glioblastoma multiforme), ovary (serous cystadenocarcinoma) and lung (squamous cell carcinoma).

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Patient visitation guidelines changed to protect against spread of flu

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ffective Wednesday, Nov. 4, Christiana Care joined other Delaware hospitals in enforcing new visitation guidelines to protect patients, their loved ones and health care workers from both seasonal and H1N1 flu.

The new restrictions limits Christiana and Wilmington hospital visitors to persons age 16 and older. Children and teens younger than 16 are most likely to get the H1N1 infection and remain contagious longer than adults.

These restrictions apply to hospital areas such as patient rooms, therapy areas and outpatient service areas.

Visitors limited to two at a time We also are limiting the number of visitors allowed in a patient’s room at one time to two.

To help our colleagues manage and communicate the new guidelines, additional Patient and Visitor Greeters will staff the main lobbies. Large billboards, other signage and other handouts will help inform visitors. While we will encourage our visitors to abide by our new guidelines, staff should use common sense in enforcing them. Please do not call Security to enforce the new guidelines. The nurse manager or nurse coordinator can decide exceptions.

“As a safety first organization, our priority is to do all we can to adhere to the highest standards of infection control,” says Marci Drees, M.D., Christiana Care’s Infection Control officer. “We are doing this in order to keep our patients healthy and to keep our health care workers healthy. With H1N1, children are most likely to

spread illness and keeping them out of the hospital will help stop the virus from entering the building.”

Christiana Care continues to urge people who are sick with fever, headache, cough, chills, sore throat, unusual tiredness, runny nose, diarrhea, body aches or vomiting not to visit patients at the hospital because those symptoms may be due to the flu. This is especially important in the maternity floors and neonatal intensive care unit.

Many states nationwide are implementing temporary visitation guidelines as a result of increasing concern over containing the spread of both seasonal and H1N1 flu. Please note that additional modifications to Christiana Care’s visitor policy could occur rapidly and without notice, depending on the situation.

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TOBACCO USE, CONTINUED

circulation improves, former smokers will find they are breathing deeply and huffing and puffing much less. Six to nine months out, an ex-smoker will marvel at not having had a cold this season.

And, after a year without cigarettes, former smokers reach an important milestone. A person who has chosen not to light up will have cut his or her risk of heart attack to half that of a smoker.

To learn more about the Tobacco Cessation Initiative, please click on the link in the health quadrant on HR Online, or call Employee Health at 302-733-1878.

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These three were chosen by the NCI because the prognosis for patients with these types of tumors is very poor and the likelihood of obtaining high-quality specimens is good.

Today, all types of colorectal and breast tumors along with adenocarcinoma of the lung are included.

James Robb, M.D., FACH, consulting pathologist to the NCI and Office of Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research, has high praise for Christiana Care after a site visit to the Graham Cancer Center in October.

“I can’t say enough about the Christiana NCCCP-TCGA team,” Dr. Robb says. “[They are] excellent, energetic and committed.”

Mobile entertainment unit takes kids’ minds off radiation treatment at Helen F. Graham Cancer Center Dr. Strasser first came in contact with Starlight at when he was training at Children’s Hospital in Boston. Starlight was a source of enjoyment for patients there, so he contacted the Los Angeles-based Starlight Foundation to bring a fun center to Christiana Care, where cancer patients from A.I. du Pont Hospital for Children receive radiation treatment. The foundation helps seriously ill children cope with fear, pain and isolation of treatment through entertainment, education and family activities.

Radiation oncologist Jon F. Strasser, M.D., and patient Noxah Palomo, compete on the mobile entertainment unit Wii station provided by Starlight children’s foundation at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center. ids with cancer face difficult challenges, especially so for those of tender years.

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player and Nintendo Wii gaming system.

The new Starlight Fun Center at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center is helping young children and teens to forget about their treatment and focus on Mario and Luigi—or a Disney flick.

“It’s on wheels, so we can easily move it from the waiting room to any exam room,” says Jacqueline Squillace, R.N. “All the games are preloaded, so it’s extremely user friendly.”

“Cancer is a sort of grownup disease,” says Jon Strasser, M.D., medical director, Pediatric Radiation Oncology.

“This is helping kids to enjoy their childhood through this difficult time.”

The mobile entertainment unit contains an LCD television, DVD 4

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Fun on wheels

Each year, 50-70 children from infancy to age 18 undergo various forms of outpatient radiation therapy at the center, typically receiving daily treatments over a period of two to seven weeks.

The Starlight center is part of an ongoing effort to make the radiation oncology program at the Graham Cancer Center more kid-friendly. Already, Squillace has brought in children’s books and laptops donated to the program to help young patients keep their minds off their illnesses while waiting for treatment.

Dr. Strasser, who sometimes plays along with the youngsters, says the Starlight center was an instant hit.

“In fact, it can be hard to get them to leave the department,” he jokes. “And some are coming in early for treatment.”

Dr. Petrelli shares cancer success story at national conference

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t the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Annual Clinical Conference in Chicago last month, Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America endowed medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, gave the Commission on Cancer Keynote Address. He told colleagues that Christiana Care’s cancer program development, along with statewide cancer control, underlies major improvements transforming Delaware’s cancer profile.

increased from 14 percent in 2004 to 26 percent in 2008, substantially higher than the national average of 3 percent.

Christiana Care’s Community Clinical Oncology Program plays a critical role in enrolling patients in clinical trials of new drugs and treatments for every major type of cancer.

Increased funding Funding from the National Institutes of Health is up sixSome excellent results achieved by the fold in the state, from $5 million in 1995 to $30 million in combined efforts of the Graham 2008. Increased funding is Cancer Center and the State of enabling doctors and scientists Delaware include: to work together through the n Cancer mortality rates and the Center for Translational adult smoking rate in Delaware are Cancer Research, developed dropping twice as fast as the national by the Helen F. Graham average. In 2007, for the first time, Cancer Center at Christiana Delaware’s smoking rate fell below Care, A.I. DuPont Hospital for the national average.

Children, the Delaware n Delaware has gone from first to Biotechnology Institute and eighth in the incidence of cancer, and the University of Delaware. from the highest rate in the nation to Funding has also helped 11th in cancer deaths, according to the establish the Tissue American Cancer Society.

Procurement Center at the Graham Cancer Center for translational cann Thanks to a state program that pays for breast, cervical, colorectal and cer research. (See related story, p. 2). prostate tests, more people are being Delaware is making great strides in diagnosed in early stages, extending genetic counseling and gene testing and saving lives. as well, Dr. Petrelli told the national conference. Since 2002, three full-time n Increased access to screening is helping to save lives in minority com- genetic counselors have been hired by the Cancer Center and have built a munities. Cancer rates among blacks high-risk family cancer registry of are declining three times faster than more than 60,000 individuals. for whites. The colorectal cancer screening rate for blacks is 25 percent Sponsored by the Commission on higher than the national average.

Cancer of the American College of Overall, our colorectal screening rate Surgeons, Dr. Petrelli’s lecture, was is first in the United States. titled “A community cancer center program: Getting to the next level.” n NCI accrual to clinical trials

Three earn recognition for excellence with PEEPS Injury Prevention Awards

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hree safety-minded colleagues received Injury Prevention Awards Oct. 21 for their leadership in Christiana Care’s performance and safe patient handling program (PEEPS).

“The PEEPS program not only prevents an untold number of injuries by educating staff, it also provides a forum where our team shares ideas to constantly improve safe patient handling practices and performance,” says Carys Price, director, Employee Injury Prevention/PEEPS Program.

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Fred Ryan, PCT on SCCC/2A ,

spearheaded an initiative to create and initiate the use of a unit-specific mobility card for the SCCC. At last year’s PEEPS workshop, Ryan presented a new technique for using limb slings to support the lower extremities in combination with the bed sling when dealing with very tall patients.

Ryan also helps educate the SCCC staff on using of the bilateral turning sling and led the presentation of his unit for the American Nurses Association visit last year.

Duane Griffin, PCT on 5B, has provided outstanding contributions and safe patient handling leadership since the PEEPS program started on his unit. He attends every PEEPS team meeting on his unit and actively looks for new members to add to the team.

Griffin’s invaluable assistance with collecting data for the Focus on Excellence Award competition entry contributed to the successful completion of the project.

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Melissa Craig, RN, of 6A (ACE Unit) received an award for her initiative to develop and produce a colorful, illustrated presentation to share the relevant information with her unit. Craig’s outstanding work in PowerPoint has since educate employees about safe patient handling on other units. n

From left, PEEPS Injury Prevention Program Award winners Duane Griffin, PCT, Melissa Craig, RN, and Fred Ryan, PCT.

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Joint Commission primary stroke survey is Nov. 10-11 Christiana Care has been preparing for a Joint Commission site survey to get certification for primary stroke care.

To achieve this disease-specific certification, a disease management program must undergo an extensive, onsite evaluation by a Joint Commission surveyor.

Our on-site survey Nov. 10 and 11 will focus on inpatient units at both Wilmington and Christiana hospitals.

Certification requirements address three areas: Compliance with consensus-based national standards and safety goals.

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Effective use of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care.

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Organized approach to performance measurement and improvement activities.

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We can anticipate patient tracers on the nursing units and diagnostic areas where we provide care to stroke patients, as well as system tracers to include the use of data, competency and credentialing.

Our surveyor is Kathleen Ostrowski, RN, BSN, MPA, CNRN. She has held several leadership positions in health care, including service line manager for neuroscience at the Methodist Hospitals in Indiana. Her clinical background is in critical care areas of neuroscience, cardiac and trauma. She has been a surveyor since 2005.

Lab panel changeover goes live Nov. 11

American College of Healthcare Executives honors two from Christiana Care

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n Nov. 11, Christiana Care will officially make the switch over to lab panels approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Changing to CMS-approved lab panels, or groupings of tests pertaining to common conditions, will make more effective use of the lab, promote patient safety and streamline government reimbursement for tests.

The panels are designed to support inpatient testing that is medically necessary.

Change also supports CPOE The change also supports the Computerized Physician Order Entry system that will be rolled out at Wilmington Hospital in January and at Christiana Hospital in spring 2010.

“The conversion to the use of the CMS Disease Specific Panels in the patient environment supports medical necessity guidelines and efficient laboratory utilization, and prepares the clinical staff for the evidence-based order sets that have been built for CPOE,” says Cheryl Katz, MBA, MT (ASCP), vice president, Pathology and Lab Services.

Pocket cards distributed Pocket cards illustrating the change have been distributed to doctors and nurses. After the go-live date, written orders for some non-CMS lab panels will default to a CMS-approved panel.

Some will result in a call to the physician for clarification.

Christiana Care President and CEO Bob Laskowski, M.D., left, and Interim Manager of Physician Relations Michael Cinkala, right, received ACHE Regent’s awards presented by Lynn Jones, senior vice president at Christiana Care, the Delaware ACHE Regent.

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obert J. Laskowski, M.D., MBA, president and CEO of Christiana Care Health System and Michael Cinkala, interim manager of Physician Relations at Christiana Care, each received a Regent’s Award from the Delaware chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) at the Delaware Healthcare Forum in Dover, Del., on Oct. 27.

Dr. Laskowski received the SeniorLevel Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award and Cinkala the Early Career Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award.

Regent’s awards recognize health care professionals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of health care management excellence and the achievement of the goals of ACHE. Lynn Jones, senior vice president at Christiana Care and ACHE Regent in Delaware, presented the awards.

Dr. Laskowski’s award recognizes his leadership and commitment to the health and well-being of people of Delaware and the region.

“Since being named president and CEO in 2003, Bob has made a great impact at Christiana Care,” said Jones.

“I have personally seen the quality of care that Christiana Care provides and the level of commitment to the community we serve steadily increase. He is positioning Christiana Care well to provide for the health care needs of our community in the years to come.”

Cinkala received his award for bringing more networking and educational events to health care management professionals in the state. He also developed an outreach plan to increase awareness of ACHE and professional development opportunities to health care administration students.

ACHE is an international professional society of 30,000 health care executives who lead our nation’s hospitals, health care systems and other health care organizations. ACHE is known for its journal, the Journal of Healthcare Management, and magazine, Healthcare Executive, as well as research and career development and public policy programs.

Christiana Care exercise specialists can help you make the most of your workout

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lisa Carrozza and Joe Novack, exercise specialists, are dedicated to helping Christiana Care employees stay fit.

They work at on-site fitness centers, offering guidance and encouragement to people who want to get in shape and maintain a healthy exercise routine.

“I’m committed to helping people find fitness,” says Carrozza, who works on the Christiana campus. “It’s what I like best about my job.”

Novack, who is on the Wilmington campus, enjoys working with employees to develop fitness programs they can stick with to achieve their fitness goals.

Each also has been motivated by a

Joe Novack counts reps and advises John Fields of Environmental Services during his workout.

personal experience.

Carrozza’s father died of a heart attack when he was only 55.

Novack lost his father and older brother to cardiovascular disease.

Educational backgrounds Carrozza earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education at West Chester University. Before coming to the fitness center, she worked in the cardiac rehab program at Springside and with chronic pain patients at the Eugene du Pont Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute (PMRI).

Alisa Carrozza, left, gives Nicole Shaw, RN, some workout tips in the Christiana Hospital Fitness Center.

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EXERCISE

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Novack holds a bachelor’s degree in health behavior science with a concentration on fitness management from the University of Delaware. Before coming on board at PMRI he was a personal trainer where he worked for nine years with patients with chronic diseases.

According to the latest joint American Heart Association/ American College of Sports Medicine guidelines, healthy adults ages 18–65 should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week.

To maximize opportunities for employees to work out, the fitness centers are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There also are regularly scheduled group classes in aerobics, pilates, yoga and other options. Christiana Care offers an annual $100 reimbursement to workers who sign up for the fitness center.

“We work with people individually to create a physical activity schedule that is tailored to their interests,” Carrozza says.

Office foursome builds commitment to fitness, finds strength in numbers

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roup energy is a powerful force.

Take it from four Trauma staff members who work out together at the Christiana Hospital fitness center.

Most days, the women encourage, support—and occasionally push—one another to exercise each day.

“If you have the ability to exercise during your work breaks, especially for staff who have a sit-down job, your mind will be re-energized and most likely produce better than sitting idle for your entire shift,” Pirrung says.

They say working out is more fun when it includes spending time with caring colleagues.

Working together, each of the women has achieved a personal fitness goal:

The fab four, Zona Alexander, Carla Enslin, Jennie Maris and Jen Oldham, all work in the Trauma Department.

“When one of us needs motivating, there”s always someone to encourage us to go work out,” Enslin says. “We take notice of and compliment one another on our accomplishments.”

Their managers, Joan Pirrung and Pam Woods, encourage the staff to exercise during lunch breaks to reduce stress and increase energy levels, to benefit both the individual and the team.

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Maris lost 30 pounds.

Alexander shed 34 pounds and found a consistent fitness program she can stick with.

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Oldham is back to the same dress size she wore before she had her baby.

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Enslin lost 10 pounds before her son”s wedding in May—and is keeping it off.

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“I’ve enjoyed seeing these colleagues and friends encouraging each other to stick to their exercise routine, and now they even like to exercise, which they once viewed as work,” Pirrung says.

If Carrozza or Novack aren’t personally available to answer a question, they will respond by e-mail.

“We can get back to people very quickly with answers about their program,” Novack says.

To learn more, call the Christiana fitness center at 733-3925 or the Wilmington center at 428-6252.

Trauma staff administrative assistants (from left) Jennifer Oldham, Carla Enslin and Zona Alexander, and Data Collection Specialist Jennie Maris.

A journey to health and fitness begins with the first step Wilmington Campus, 4286252.)

Healthy, balanced diet What—and how much— you eat not only affects your waistline, it influences your mood, energy and stress level.

regularly scheduled tests and exams.

That includes knowing your numbers, such as your average blood pressure and cholesterol count.

For your own sake, take the time to make appointments as often as your health care providers recommend.

So minimize foods that are high in fat, sodium, sugar and cholesterol.

That means saying “no” to French fries and “yes” to green salad (with low-fat dressing). You can get lots of great information on nutritious eatjourney of a thousand miles ing and the four food groups at begins with a single step.”

—Ancient Chinese proverb www.mypyramind.gov.

Limit your alcohol intake to no more When you think of your state of wellness, don’t fret if you’re starting small. than one drink a day. And drink plenty of water. The Institute of Consider the various steps you can take to improve your body. Then, start Medicine recommends that men quaff working to improve yourself, one limb three liters (or 13 eight-ounce glasses) of water each day; women should at a time, until you reach your goal. drink nine glasses a day.

Here are four simple basics that can (To contact Weight Watchers at Work, help you to establish strong roots in call 327-5555.) healthy living: Get enough rest Exercise to keep fit

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That doesn’t mean signing up for a marathon that is two months away.

Set realistic goals. If you don’t already exercise on a regular basis, start with baby steps. Walk for 30 minutes, three times a week.

Regular physical activity is a big help in losing weight—and in keeping those pounds off. Exercise also helps our brains, whisking away cobwebs of worry and reducing our stress level.

(You can learn more about exercise at the Employee Fitness Centers: Christiana Campus, 733-3925 and 10

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Most grownups need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. But many of us don’t get adequate rest because we are on the go, dashing to work, running errands, chasing dreams.

Getting enough shut-eye is important because it helps us to function better during our waking hours. Well-rested people are more alert and less stressed.

Get regular exams and screenings Your doctor and dentist can help to prevent small problems from growing into big health concerns through

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f it’s weight you want to lose, what’s a better way to get started than an onsite program where you work?

Weight Watchers at Work meets Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in 5E85.

Check out these details: No weekly fees as with off-site meetings.

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Up to $100 is reimbursable through your flexible spending account.

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If you miss an At Work meeting, you can attend a meeting in the community at no extra cost.

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The program costs $155.35 for 13 weeks of meetings, and that includes eight weeks of an online subscription to eTools—a $13-a-month value.

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The online subscription provides daily tips and ideas, a weight tracker with progress charts, a points tracker, recipes, restaurant guides and many support groups/forums.

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For complete Weight Watchers at Work information, contact Debbie Breen in HR, 327-5555.

Recycling program launches at Wilmington Hospital mental stewardship initiative.

Representatives from Antos Environmental are distributing recycling containers throughout the hospital and are available to review the The new program is part of our environprogram with employees.

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ow you can recycle paper, plastic bottles, glass and metal cans in designated containers at Wilmington Hosital.

Formulary Update

Transformation Rewards Program needs your involvement

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ur progress in meeting the goals of the Transformation Rewards Program (TRP) continues to be mixed, but encouraging.

Many departments are implementing changes to transform the way we deliver care and achieve our Focus on Excellence goals.

The two key indicators of our success are financial strength and patient satisfaction. When we reach specific goals in these two areas, all eligible employees receive a bonus payment from $250 up to $1,200.

Financially, we are succeeding.

Operating gain exceeds budget by $7 million fiscal year to date. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we have exceeded our minimum threshold of $4 million.

At this pace, we can potentially hit our target of $8 million for the fiscal year.

This will require everyone to remain financially vigilant, since we do not know the impact health care reform or

the flu season will have on Christiana Care.

Patient satisfaction is below threshold At the same time, as of the end of August, our average patient satisfaction score is 75 percent—below the minimum threshold of 76 percent.

TRP bases the patient satisfaction score on the HCAPHS question “Likelihood to recommend the hospital.”

Our greatest opportunities for patient satisfaction improvement fall under communication and hospital environment. We can boost our overall efforts to deliver the best patient experience and ultimately affect a patient’s likelihood to recommend Christiana Care by:

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n Explaining processes and procedures in a way that our patients can understand, and listening to understand our patients’ needs and concerns. n Keeping the area around our patients’ rooms quiet at night. n

Picking up and discarding trash.

n Notifying housekeeping/facilities if an area or equipment requires service. They depend on us to be their eyes and ears.

Remember, it’s the cumulative results at the end of the fiscal year that will n Saying “hello” to people in the trigger a payout, and we need to be hallways. When patients see staff smiling and greeting others, the envi- successful in both the patient satisfacronment seems warmer and friendlier. tion and financial measures. n

Helping visitors who appear lost.

Focus on Excellence Judges study their assigned entries at the 2009 Focus on Excellence Awards exhibit at the Wilmington Hospital Conference Center.

Winners in 11 categories, plus the popular People’s Choice Award winner, will be announced at an awards ceremony on Nov. 12.

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n Communicating in a polite and pleasant tone. It’s not what you say, but how you say it that influences the Christiana Care experience for our patients and their families.

A Chestnut Run Federal Credit Union representative is available at Christiana Hospital in the West End Cafe on Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., to help employees with opening new accounts, applying for loans, changing payroll deductions and other needs. A representative also visits Wilmington Hospital on the first Wednesday of every month from noon-2 p.m., available by the elevators near the cafeteria.

For more information on the credit union, go to www.chestnutrunfcu.org, call 302-999-3193 or e-mail member services@chestnutrunfcu.org.

Upcoming events The popular Celebrating Women's Health Lecture Series events held at the John H. Ammon Medical Education Center will also be broadcast live at the Smyrna Health & Wellness Center. This month's lecture is "The Healing Power of Letting Go" on Tuesday, Nov. 10, featuring Margaret Keenan, Ph.D. Attendees will learn about the psychological aspects of health and illness at this free video lecture event. Register online at www.christianacare.org/lectures.

2009 Wilmington Walk for Life & Breath is Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, with regis-

tration open at 8:30 a.m. For information, call 302-655-7258.

care centers. The book fairs will be open:

The next topic in Respiratory Care’s COPD Lecture Series is “COPD and Alpha 1 Antitrypsin,” Tuesday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-noon. Albert Rizzo, M.D., will discuss treatment options. Testing for Alpha 1 will be done at this session in Room 1100, Christiana Hospital. Call Debbie Wood, 733-2562, to register.

In Room 1100, Christiana Hospital:

Christiana Care Volunteers’ annual Reading is Fun Book Fairs are a great opportunity to buy books at a discounted price as holiday gifts for everyone from the newest grandchild to that special teacher. A portion of the proceeds from the book fairs will help such volunteer programs as the Video Doctor Program, NetLink and the adult day

Support the United Way of Delaware

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nited Way of Delaware is a leader that funds programs which confront the many pervasive issues facing our community and finds solutions to overcome them. Underneath everything we are and all that we do, we are all one people.

When we lend a hand to help one person who is suffering, we have a positive influence on the condition of all. The broad range of United Way-funded programs and services helps strengthen our community.

Your generosity benefits your coworkers, neighbors, friends and perhaps even your family members throughout the state. By investing in the community today, you’ll ensure that life-changing programs are available for someone in need tomorrow.

If you have not responded, there is still time. Please log in to the portals, click on the Unite Way Campaign link and make your gift today.

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Nov. 8, 3-8 p.m.

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Nov. 9, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Nov. 10, 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.

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On the 1st Floor at VNA, One Reads Way: Friday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Office of Quality and Patient Safety invites Christiana Care leadership, departmental chairs, staff and other colleagues and clinicians to join the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s 21st Annual National Forum on Quality Improvement in Health Care Satellite Conference, Dec. 8-9, via satellite at Christiana Hospital, Room 1100 and the Wilmington Conference Center. This conference is free to all employees. This real-time broadcast from Orlando will include four keynote sessions, plus four mini keynote sessions. For more information or registration, contact Jean Davis at (302) 7332462 or jeadavis@christianacare.org.

For more information on the forum, visit www.ihi.org/IHI/. n

The Trauma Program will host its 3rd Annual Holiday Mocktail Festivities Dec. 8 during lunch breaks in the cafeteria at Christiana Hospital.

Collaborating with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, the goal is to raise awareness of the hazards of impaired driving while promoting tips for responsible holiday party hosting. That includes recipes for delicious non-alcoholic beverages. Join the Trauma staff for “mocktails,” snacks and holiday glee.

Magnet Nursing video and fair drew scores of viewers

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The Magnet Nursing video, which features 261 staff members from 25 units and departments, can be viewed on the portals?

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Christiana Care received notice in September from the American Nurses�

Credentialing Center (ANCC) that our Magnet application passed review by the Magnet survey team with a score of excellence.

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The ANCC appraisers are at Christiana Care this week. During their four-day visit, the appraisers validate the presence of excellence in nursing throughout the organization, confirming what they read in our application.

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The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice as measured against rigorous national standards.

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Fewer than 6.2 percent of U.S. hospitals achieve Magnet designation.

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Dec. 4 memorial service planned for Christiana Care employees

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memorial service for all Christiana Care employees who have died since the last memorial service will be held on Friday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. in room 1100 at Christiana Hospital.

Please join us as we remember our friends and colleagues.

The following is a list of Christiana Care employees who have died since November 2007. If there are any omissions, please inform Chaplain Tim Rodden, trodden@christianacare.org or 302-733-1227.

Angela Barnett, Breast Center Joseph Barsky, M.D., M-D Staff Louisa Batman, M.D., M-D Staff Marion Boyle, Anesthesiology

Esther Campbell, Environmental Services Lynette Conner, Respiratory Care Robert Dickerson, M.D., M-D Staff Lana Dugan, Operating Room George Eriksen Jr., M.D., M-D Staff Carl Glassman, M.D., M-D Staff Murriel Hammond, HIMS Audrey Hargan, Payroll Richard Kahlbaugh, M.D., M-D Staff Gladys Kessell, Food & Nutrition Services Margaret Lardear, Family and Community Medicine John Levinson, M.D., M-D Staff Jacquie Lewinson, Case Management Muriel Loper, Sterile Processing

Garrett Lyons Sr., D.D.S., M-D Staff Karen McQueston, Nursing Arnold Mittelman, M.D., M-D Staff Francis Muldoon, Nursing Michael Pasquale, M.D., M-D Staff Heather Parlier, Admitting Services Megan Perry, Human Resources David Platt, M.D., M-D Staff Ethel F. Platt, M.D., M-D Staff Judith Porter, Finance Paul Potocki, Pharmacy John Reinhard, M.D., M-D Staff Frank Tartaglio Jr., Maintenance Bambi L. Taylor, M.D., M-D Staff James Thompson, D.D.S., M-D Staff Ralph Tomases, D.D.S., M-D Staff Robert Weaver, D.O., M-D Staff

Community Health and Education Manager Nora Katurakes honored Nora C. Katurakes, RN, MSN, OCN, manager, Community Health Outreach and Education for the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, received a 2009 Wilmington Award Oct. 7. The annual awards recognize and honor outstanding accomplishments of Wilmington citizens in health science, community service, education, the arts and 11 other areas.

Cafeterias to accept Visa/Mastercard On Nov. 11, the Food and Nutrition Department is rolling out new cash registers that will accept credit cards and enable customers to purchase gift cards. Look for the added convenience starting Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the West End CafĂŠ, ECafe and Lakeview CafĂŠ (located at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center) on Christiana Hospital campus and at Wilmington campus on Thursday. Nov. 12.

Pictured, from left, are Mayor James Baker, Katurakes and City Council President Norman Griffiths.

Plantings promise riotous spring color at Wilmington campus

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he Wilmington campus transformation project is more than bricks and mortar.

There are tens of thousands of plants to consider as well.

This fall, Chamberlain Street has become a promenade, widened and landscaped for a three-season planting experience.

Plantings include zelkova trees and Ice Folly, Mount Hood and Spring Pride Fortune Daffodils with liriope and plumbago ground cover.

Garage No. 1 (closest to the hospital) now offers free parking for patients and visitors. Walkers stepping onto the promenade finds wider sidewalks and border plantings that separate people from traffic and already is improving the feel of the campus.

Along Chamberlain Street, landscapers install 4,000 daffodil bulbs for an explosion of spring color.