PresbyBulletin

Volume 7 Issue 20 October 5, 2012

PRESBYbulletin Penn Presbyterian Medical Center

Presby’s First

ECO-STAR

Join the 2012 Penn Medicine Heart Walk Team

Make a heart healthy decision! Walk with the Penn Medicine community to support the American Heart Association in the fight against heart disease and stroke!

The 2012 Philly Heart Walk will take place on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 10am at Citizens Bank Park.

Our group’s challenge this year is to recruit 1800 walkers for the Philadelphia-based walk and raise $130,000 for cardiovascular disease and stroke research. Join a team to help us reach our goal!

In order to receive a Heart Walk t-shirt from Penn Medicine, you must be registered as a walker no later than Friday, October 5th.

To register, or for more information about the heart walk and how you can donate, please see the Presby Bulletin online at http://news.pennmedicine. org/inside/presbybulletin/.

Last month, Penn Presbyterian’s Green Committee recognized the MICU as the first unit to earn ECO-STAR status. The unit was recognized for its leadership and enthusiasm in implementing green initiatives that help reduce costs, cut down on waste, and promote a cleaner environment for our patients, faculty and staff.

“I’m very passionate about ‘green living’ and creating environmentally friendly workspaces. As someone who is concerned about the future and our environment, the ECO-STAR recognition really means a lot,” said Kelly Becker, CNA, and Eco-rep for the MICU. “This is a small step, but it’s an important step. I hope that our recognition will encourage other units to get on board and become ECO-STARS, too.”

Instituted by the Eco-reps earlier this year, the Presby ECO-STAR program encourages all units to embrace “going green.” Presby ECO-STARS invites every unit, floor, office, lab, or interventional area to participate by incorporating simple “go green” initiatives that can be applied to any department throughout the hospital.

“Every time you turn off the lights, every time you put a newspaper in a recycling bin, you help,” said Lise Bauman, RN, chair of the Eco-reps and the ECO-STARS. “The Green Actions we want departments to implement are small, easy steps that, when added together, can make a big difference.”

A big difference is right! Turning off lights, televisions, and unnecessary electrical systems can save thousands of dollars in electrical fees in just a few months! Other efforts, like cardboard recycling, can save up to $500/year. As Becker and MICU Nurse Manager Wendy Rines, RN, BSN, can tell you, all it takes to be a star is a little commitment, and a lot of enthusiasm.

“We started with small things, like posting the eco tips on bulletin boards so people would see them and be reminded about our (continued on back)

To all employees, As you know, this summer was particularly warm with several extended heat waves in June and July. As you are aware UPHS developed a demand response plan/Energy Alert Days to better manage our ever rising electrical costs. I am pleased to inform you that your response to the “Alert Days” was overwhelming and quantifiably resulted in an overall reduction in the Hospitals’ demand to 4.1 megawatts down over five percent when compared to last year. With the hot weather driving up air conditioning use and with a goal to maintain patient care, you were successful in turning off lights and systems enough to result in this demand reduction. The value of the reduction will be approximately $25,000 per year in reduced electrical fees. The impact of your efforts will be reflected in a reduced electrical rate for next summer.

Our notices this summer stated that you can and do make a difference. And you have! Congratulations on your efforts.

Pete Zeitz, Energy Manager

Halloween Drive

The Emergency Department Stewardship Committee is having a Halloween drive to benefit the People’s Emergency Center in West Philadelphia. Please see the Presby Bulletin online (http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/presbybulletin/) for a list of what they need, but anything you can give will help. There will be drop boxes located in the Cupp lobby and in the ED for all donations until Monday, October 22. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact LeighAnn Mazzone, RN, CEN, at leighann.mazzone@uphs.upenn.edu. Thank you on behalf of the ED Stewardship Committee.

July Presby STARS Congratulations to the July 2012 Presby STAR winners, who each received $100 and a certificate recognizing their Presby STAR status.

Nakia Andrews - Nursing Dominque Baker - Security Jennifer Dunne Gavin - Cardiology Manley Davis - Transport Vernice Perry - Nursing

Presby’s First ECO-STAR! (continued from front)

goals,” said Rines. ”The enthusiasm of a few team members was contagious and, before we knew it, the whole unit was on Kelly Becker, CNA and Lise Bauman, RN board. We embraced Presby’s linen initiative, and started talking about our efforts in staff meetings. It really was a fun, collaborative venture across the unit.”

So far, 20 workplaces across the hospital have signed up to participate in the ECO-STAR program. As teams work to implement green actions, points are accumulated. ECO-STAR status is awarded when the team reaches 25 points. For its efforts, members of the Green Committee and Gary Ginsberg, assistant executive director at PPMC, presented the MICU with a certificate recognizing its status as an ECO-STAR unit.

The team also enjoyed a pizza party and cake to celebrate its achievement.

For more information about Green Actions that can make your team ECO-STARS, or how you can become an Eco-rep, please visit http://pennpoint.uphs.upenn.edu/sites/PPMC/green/ default.aspx.

Congratulations to the MICU!

Focus on Lung Cancer Live Webchat 10/12, 1-2PM ET Join the OncoLink team for a webchat to learn about lung cancer.

Go to www. oncolink.org/ webchat to submit questions to our experts in advance, view and participate in the webchat, and read a transcript after the live event. You can also use your (public) Twitter account to participate during the live event (hashtag #oncochat).