Volume Volume 2325 Number Number XX6 Month March XX, 21, 201X 2014
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
} Sonya Wood (left), of Staffing for All Seasons, and Cara Brindley, of Women’s Health, help promote the Ask Me 3 patient education program.
PATIENT SAFETY: ALWAYS A PRIORITY Keeping our patients, families, and staff safe is an ongoing process at HUP. This year’s Patient Safety Awareness Fair highlighted many of those safety measures, some initiated just in the past year.
inpatients off units in the case of emergency. “These are what NYU Langone Medical Center used to help evacuate patients during Hurricane Sandy,” said Jeff Henne, Corporate Safety specialist.
For example, Safety Management’s new evacuation sled — which can move over any surface — will help move critically ill
While no one can predict when workplace violence will occur, training workers to protect themselves helps keep injury to a minimum. A demonstration by Noah Brophy of Founders 12 showed how the UPHS Management of Aggressive Behavior program helps to safely de-escalate a situation.
INSIDE Annual Health Fairs are Coming ...............................2 Get Your Praise On! .................3 Got a Ticket to Ride... and Penn Medicine CAREs ......3
Another table at the fair focused on bar code medication administration, which uses electronic scanning to verify a medication. At HUP, this is the last of several safety steps in place to ensure that the right medication is going to the right patient. The pilot program on Founders 12 “had great results,”
said Karen D’Agostino, BSN, so plans to expand to all patient units are in place. What is my main problem? What do I need to do? Why is it important for me to do this? These questions are part of the Ask Me 3 patient education program designed to encourage patients to become active members of their health care team and promote improved health outcomes. During National Patient Safety Awareness Week, liners on patient meal trays helped spread the word about this new initiative as well as information regarding myPennMedicine, our patients’ direct access to their health record. “The place mats are a great example of how we creatively share info with patients,” said Jill Huzinec, director of Patient Safety. (continued on page 2)
Perelman School of Medicine Ranks in Top Five .....................4
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PATIENT SAFETY POSTER CONTEST
} HUP’s new evacuation sled (to move inpatients in case of an emergency) and a demonstration of bar code medication administration were two safety initiatives highlighted at this year’s fair.
A new addition for the 2014 National Patient Safety Awareness Week challenged staff on patient-care units to create posters focusing on patient safety, to educate staff and families. “Many nurses cannot leave the bedside to participate in the Safety Fair so we decided to do activities on the units,” said Jill Huzinec, director of Patient Safety. Posters were rated on visual appearance, creativity, content value for the audience, and effectiveness in communicating the safety message.
(continued from page 1)
Other new safety measures highlighted during the Fair included:
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The use of capnography in interventional radiology as an early indicator that a patient under conscious sedation is not breathing deeply enough or has stopped breathing.
Tied for the top award for the best patient/family poster were Founders 12 and Silverstein 12. Winning first place for the best staff poster was Founders 10-11. Founders 12 claimed second place.
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A standardization of colors of patient “alert” bracelets (eg, fall risk, latex allergy, etc.) throughout UPHS hospitals so all care providers can immediately recognize the precaution. The standard correlates to the state’s official colors so there is no variation when patients are transferred into the Health System.
To view all patient unit poster submissions, go to http://uphsxnet.uphs.upenn.edu/ceqi and click on “2014 National Patient Safety Awareness Week” and then the link under “Poster Contest.”
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An alarm safety initiative (a National Patient Safety Goal) to help prevent staff from becoming “desensitized” to the many medical equipment alarms on inpatient units.
“National Patient Safety Week raises awareness of our many safety initiatives,” Huzinec said. “Employees can learn about safety initiatives in other departments that they can put in use on their own unit or department.” To learn more about the Patient Safety Fair demonstrations, posters, and handouts — and to see more photos — go to http://uphsxnet.uphs.upenn. edu/ceqi and click on “2014 National Patient Safety Awareness Week.”
Annual Health Fairs are Coming! Open enrollment starts Monday, April 14, and the annual UPHS health fairs are just around the corner! At the health fair, you can learn more about our Healthy Rewards program and your medical and other health benefits, get a biometric screening, and be entered into raffles to win prizes! Health fairs will take place throughout the Health System, including:
• Wednesday, April 2, on the Ravdin Mezzanine, from 10am to 2pm. • Tuesday April 8, at 1500 Market Street in the Kahunatorium, from 10am to 2pm. • Thursday April 10, at 3001 Market Street, in Suite 310 training rooms A & B, from 11am to 2pm. Look for more information about Open Enrollment coming to you at the end of March.
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Stand Up, Sing Along and
Get Your Praise On! For nearly 20 years, Gospelrama has been an important part of HUP’s Black History Month celebration. That’s no surprise. As staff chaplain Madeline Dawson noted during her welcoming remarks, “What we offer can bring comfort and joy and lift the spirits.”
} Performers at this year’s Gospelrama included the Heavenly Angels Praise Dancers and Madeline Dawson.
And that it did. With Brother Marcus of Praise 103.9 FM serving as MC and keeping the program moving, the audience was treated to gospel songs, interpretive dance and rap provided by HUP’s staff, friends and family members. “I thank all those who have helped keep Gospelrama alive for all these years,” said Al Black, COO of the hospital. “And I thank all of you for sharing your gifts of hope and praise with us.”
A big thank-you also goes to members of Pastoral Care and to Tamika Patton-Watkins of Administration who worked together to make this year’s celebration happen. Keeping up the pace was the Penn Inspirations Band (Bryant Pugh, Ben Polk, and Cedric Napolean). The delicious after-show refreshments were courtesy of Morrison’s Caterers and Pastoral Care.
To see a slideshow of Gospelrama photos, go to http://news.pennmedicine.org/ inside/hupdate/.
Got a Ticket to Ride...
and Penn Medicine CAREs Margaret Rummel, BSN, MHA, OCN, oncology nurse navigator, serves as a catalyst for many patients seeking life-saving care at the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC). She and her colleagues in Patient and Family Services help them overcome barriers to necessary medical treatment, such as problems with transportation and lodging, and financial and insurance concerns. “We treat patients from a wide geographic area who often cannot commute or need lodging while they’re here,” said Rummel. Indeed, some patients — like those undergoing bone marrow transplants — can be in the area for several months. Others, such as those with head and neck cancer, could require six or seven weeks of radiation treatment at the ACC, five or six days a week. For many of these patients whose health or financial state prevents them from getting to their appointments, Penn Rides: Transportation
Assistance for ACC Patients at Hope Lodge provides a crucial connection to their cancer care. The initiative, funded by a Penn Medicine CAREs grant, pays for cab or train fare for some patients who would not be able to reach their appointment otherwise. Hope Lodge, which includes 38 rooms for patients and their caregivers, offers a volunteer-run van with very limited hours — making the Penn Medicine CAREs funding valuable when no alternative is available. Against the physical, emotional, and financial toll of cancer, Rummel and other navigators see the program as one less thing for patients to worry about. “It is a supplement to the processes we have in place to keep our patients safe and getting the care they need,” said Rummel. “We’re all a team in this. We want to make sure our patients get the best possible outcomes and make their experience the best it can be.”
S PennMedicine.org/Community Do you volunteer your time to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve? If so, your organization might be eligible for one of the Penn Medicine CAREs grants, which are awarded quarterly. To apply, click on “CARES— Community Outreach” on the left bar of the Intranet home page and go to “CAREs Grant.” The deadline for the next grant is June 1.
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U.S. News Again Ranks Penn Medical School in
University City Accommodations
Top Five The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked #4 in the nation this year by U.S. News & World Report in its annual survey of researchoriented medical schools. This year marks the School of Medicine’s 17th consecutive year ranking in the nation’s top five medical schools. We also ranked #13 in the rankings of Primary Care schools. The Perelman School of Medicine also ranked among the nation’s top medical schools in four areas of specialty training: Pediatrics (#1), Drug/Alcohol Abuse (#4), Women’s Health (#5), and Internal Medicine (#5). According to the survey results, the medical schools earning a top-5 ranking for research, in order, are: Harvard University, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of CaliforniaSan Francisco and Perelman tied at #4. The complete survey results as well as the methodology used can be found at USNews.com.
CELEBRATING National Doctors’ Day On National Doctors’ Day, we recognize the contribution and dedication of our physicians. In appreciation of all they do, HUP will celebrate National Doctors’ Day on Friday, March 28, providing them with morning beverages and a small gift at the following locations:
• Upper atrium of the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. • Ravdin Mezzanine. • Directly across from the Spruce Street Café on Founders 2.
As part of the plan to expand HUP’s inpatient services to the area now occupied by Penn Tower, faculty and staff in the facility are being relocated to other spaces on campus. Effective later this month, we will be closing the hotel’s remaining accommodations for patients, families, and employees, on the 17th and 18th floors. Penn Medicine thanks the hotel staff for their many years of professional and courteous service. To help patients and families find other nearby overnight accommodations, please refer them to http://www. pennmedicine.org/hospital-university-pennsylvania/, under “Visitor Information.”
Ergonomics Can Help! Do you sit at a computer for most or part of your day? Poor ergonomics (a badly designed work environment) can contribute to fatigue, headaches, and musculoskeletal injuries. To learn how you can improve your workstation ergonomically, check out the new Employee Injury Prevention webpage at http://uphsxnet.uphs.upenn.edu/safety/ empinjuryprev/. Be sure to watch the step-by-step video and checklist on the website about setting up your workstation to improve comfort and efficiency. You’ll also benefit from taking frequent stretch breaks throughout the day. Click on “Get Up and Stretch Pamphlet” on the site to see the many effective stretches you can do at work. The next time you get up to grab that cup of coffee, do a few stretches for a real pick-me-up!
HUPdate
Helping People ALL THE TIME Providing a satisfying patient — and family — experience is a priority at HUP. Thank you to all employees who go out of their way to make this happen. And congratulations to the following employees who were picked as winners in November’s Helping People All the Time raffle: Judith Wilkins . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Brennan . . . . . . . . Zakia Beyah . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheryl Brown . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Carter . . . . . . . . . . Mary Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brooke Brady . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Cappetti . . . . . . . . . . Darryl Johnson. . . . . . . . . . Gary Pantalone . . . . . . . . . Ki Joung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sam Schad . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Security Security Patient Accounts Admissions Perioperative Nursing CCU Ravdin 9 Dulles 6 Materials Management Materials Management Ravdin 6 Rhoads 7
Lila Colleluori . . . . . . . . . . . Holland Robinson . . . . . . . William Lawrence . . . . . . Allen Torrance . . . . . . . . . . Nina Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Natalie Long . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicole Thomas. . . . . . . . . . Luciano Russo . . . . . . . . . . Jeanne Papa . . . . . . . . . . . Edward King . . . . . . . . . . . . Erin Dolan . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rhoads 7 Rhoads 7 Radiology Radiology Radiology Radiology Radiology Maintenance Ravdin 6 Security Ravdin 6
EDITORIAL STAFF Sally Sapega Editor and Photographer Abby Ernst Designer
ADMINISTRATION Susan E. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Holly Auer Director of Communications CONTACT HUPDATE AT: 3535 Market Street, Mezzanine Philadelphia, PA 19104 phone: 215.662.4488 fax: 215.349.8312 email: sally.sapega@uphs.upenn.edu HUPdate is published biweekly for HUP employees. Access HUPdate online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/hupdate.