Volume 26
Number 2 January 23, 2015
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
A WILLINGNESS TO
STEP UP “I cannot say enough positive things about my hospital stay at Penn.” “I felt I was important to everyone.”
The patient experience at HUP continues to improve, and more and more patients are noticing. “We were always known for our hightech and high-intensity care but now we have also been successfully focusing on the human touch,” said Garry Scheib, HUP’s executive director, at this year’s Patient Advocacy Recognition reception. The turnaround has been a group effort, said Marguerite Kerry, BSN, JD, director of Patient and Regulatory Affairs. Borrowing CPUP’s “Be Someone’s Umbrella” as this year’s advocacy theme, Kerry spoke – and demonstrated – how the ribs, runners and stretchers all have to work together for the umbrella to open and close: “Each of us has to work together for HUP’s ‘umbrella’ to work.” “What I was struck by is the diversity” of this year’s honorees, added Al Black, COO. Not every one wants the ball late in a basketball game for a crucial shot, he said, but “some people on the team are willing to step up. Consistency is important. Keep stepping up.” “I hope you know how much your colleagues appreciate you,” PJ Brennan, MD, CMO and senior VP for the Health System, told this year’s award recipients. “You change the experience of Penn Medicine for our patients and you make us this proud.” (Continued on page 2)
INSIDE PT Parking Garage Closing March 6......................................3 Rhoads 4 Wins First DAISY Team Award...............................3 New Penn Research Center to Investigate Preterm Birth.........3 Musicians on Call: 10 Years and Going Strong......4
1
CONGRATULATIONS
to all of this year’s winners and get a small taste of why they were selected for this honor: (Continued from page 1)
`` Michael Albright, Nursing
“Michael’s experience and knowledge is respected by his nursing coordinator colleagues and the entire nursing team. His relentless style in ensuring resolution promotes true advocacy for our patients and their families.”
`` Simon Banh, Emergency Medicine
“Throughout his tenure in the ED, Simon has consistently demonstrated kind, compassionate patient care. His co-workers frequently comment on Simon’s positive attitude, eagerness to help, and patience…. He is frequently complimented in patient letters and is known as a calm and steady presence.”
`` Briana Buckner, MD Internal Medicine
“Dr. Buckner is an absolutely outstanding physician who is ever committed to placing her patients first. Her recognition is a true reflection of her daily dedication toward service excellence.”
`` Robert Crowley Telecommunications
“Many would agree that Bob is consistently friendly, upbeat and always willing to go the extra mile to assist. As mobile devices have evolved, Bob patiently educates the constant flow of employees who come to him each day for assistance as they integrate mobile technology with patient care.”
`` Antoinette Edwards Radiology
“Antoinette consistently receives compliments from patients and families for her patient-care skills. She ‘gets it’ when it comes to patient- and family-centered care and is recognized as a great asset.”
`` Kelly Foreman Perioperative Services
”Kelly goes above and beyond for patients and with regard to her secretarial responsibilities. Kelly has a calming nature that relaxes the most challenging patients and is extremely friendly. She is a wonderful asset.”
`` Darryl Greer Patient Transport
“Darryl’s focus has always been on our patients. Even as a dispatcher, he has left the dispatch area to transport or help a patient in need and goes above and beyond to ensure his patients are both safe and comfortable.”
`` Darrell Harris Emergency Medicine
“It is very difficult to sum up the attributes that make Darrell a special person. Perhaps his greatest quality is ‘going the extra mile.’ He is proactive and ‘no’ is not in his vocabulary. He greets all with a friendly smile and hello. I can think of no one individual who is more deserving of this honor.”
“From the moment I arrived, I was treated like royalty.” 2
“I was made comfortable in every way possible.” `` Rebecca Hirsh, MD Oncology
“Dr. Hirsh always thinks of the patients first. She is highly respected by her colleagues who have learned that whatever Rebecca says we should do, we do — she has carefully weighed all options and come up with the best plan.”
`` Jesse Keller Environmental Services
“Jesse is an exceptional EVS employee. He always comes to work with a positive attitude ready to tackle the day. He is always willing to help out any way he can and never has any complaints when asked to go out of his way. Jesse is a pleasure to work with!”
`` Kimberly Kellogg, Otorhinolaryngology
“No matter what time of day, Kim is always available to speak with a patient to address concerns. Her dedication to her job and, more important, our patients, is greatly appreciated.”
`` Michael Newcomb, Nursing
“Michael is an inspiring leader who is dedicated and committed to delivery of patient-centered care. He embeds leadership rounding into his daily practice and is a role model for his staff through the positive interactions he has with patients and their families.”
`` Shyamika Rosario Environmental Services
“Shyamika is one of EVS’s most dedicated associates. She continually puts the needs of her patients and the unit staff above her own. She comes to work with a positive attitude, knowing that every moment with a patient potentially impacts their stay.”
`` Joyce Wald, DO Cardiovascular Medicine
“Dr. Wald is widely recognized by patients, nurses, and physicians for her unwavering commitment to advocacy for her patients. Her advocacy has taken many forms, such as offering outpatient treatments to her very sick patients to reduce the need for repeat hospital admissions, to improving the experience while in the hospital. To Joyce, the patient always comes first and she works tirelessly toward this goal.”
SPECIAL RECOGNITION:
`` Michael Kochman, MD Gastroenterology
“Dr. Kochman’s clinical skills are recognized regionally and nationally. This all stems from an intense desire to provide the ideal patient experience. Dr. Kochman treats patients, not diseases!”
PT PARKING GARAGE
CLOSING
MARCH 6!
The Penn Tower Parking Garage will close to employees on Friday, March 6. (It will stay open for patients until Wednesday, March 11). Employees who currently park in that garage are asked to transfer to the University Avenue Garage (Lot #51) immediately to ensure a smooth transition. Employees can obtain pass cards for Lot 51 at one of the following locations:
• Parking Office on the Penn Tower Bridge
Level, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (7:30 am to 4 pm) and Tuesday and Thursday (6 am to 4 pm). • Penn Tower Garage office (7 am to 11 pm), 7 days a week. Employees who return their current Penn Tower Garage Parking card will not be charged the $20.00 fee for the new parking card. To learn more about the closing of the parking garage, go to http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/ employeeselfservice/transportation.html. If you have additional questions or concerns, please speak with your supervisor or email Denise.Mariotti@uphs.upenn.edu.
Award
Rhoads 4 Wins First DAISY TEAM Every year, 12 HUP nurses receive a DAISY award, recognizing their excellent clinical practice as well as extraordinary compassion and caring. Now, Nursing has created the DAISY team annual award to acknowledge a group of nurses who collaborate together to help a patient and/or family member. Out of 44 total nominations received this year, the first winner of this award is the nursing staff on Rhoads 4. According to nomination letters from patients:
• “This group was the most dedicated, energetic and very empathetic to all my needs.”
• “The entire staff showed genuine
compassionate care and concern for me.… I never felt like these nurses were just doing their jobs, they made me feel like they were caring for family.” • “Because these nurses worked as a team, they never dropped the ball with my care. They kept my spirits uplifted.… Just when I needed some comfort, one of these terrific nurses would stop into my room with a warm smile.”
CONGRAT UL AT I O N S to this dedicated group!
NEW PENN RESEARCH CENTER TO INVESTIGATE PRETERM BIRTH Nearly half a million babies are born prematurely each year in this country. Indeed, preterm birth is the most common and serious newborn health problem in this country. Now, thanks to a $10 million investment over the next five years from the March of Dimes, investigators in the Penn Prematurity Research Center will focus on decreasing that number by discovering the causes of preterm birth and developing new strategies to prevent it.
`` Celebrating the Center’s official launch were (from left): Darwin Walker, retired Philadelphia Eagle and father of a premature baby; Deborah A. Driscoll, MD, chair of OB/GYN; Jennifer L. Howse, PhD, president of the March of Dimes; CEO Ralph W. Muller; and Anne Geddes, internationally renowned baby photographer, who created the photo of the newborn for the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center initiative.
3
10 YEARS AND GOING STRONG! `` Volunteer musician Matt Duke played several songs for Kathryn Sletten.
In 2004, Volunteer Services brought a new program to HUP to help improve the patient experience. Since that time, Musicians on Call has made more than 670 visits to HUP, performing for over 22,000 patients, staff, and family members. Research shows that the connection between music and medicine is strong — it plays a role in reducing anxiety, decreasing blood pressure, and lowering the heart rate.
The program continues in full force today, with a current pool of 57 musicians visiting as many units as possible on Tuesdays and Thursdays (between 5:30 and 8:00 pm). If you’d like to learn more about Musicians on Call — or are interested in becoming a volunteer guide to accompany the musicians to the units — please call 215-662-2576 or email adult.volunteer@uphs.upenn.edu.
EBOLA PREPAREDNESS
««
Musicians on Call:
AT PENN MEDICINE
Preparations for the possibility of caring for a patient with Ebola have been underway for several months at HUP, and we must maintain competency in our ability to care for these patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) recently announced that HUP is part of an elite group of 35 hospitals nationwide – and the only adult hospital in Pennsylvania – capable of safely caring for patients with Ebola. As always, we encourage all staff to continue to check for updates at http://pennpoint. uphs.upenn.edu/sites/ebola/default.aspx. As a reminder, two phone lines are available to assist clinicians and staff around the clock: •C linicians with patient-related questions should call 215-614-0524. A physician will answer and handle calls about screening, isolation and, if necessary, lead arrangements for patient transport to HUP from another entity. •G eneral questions not pertaining to direct patient care can be directed to 215-615-2929.
KUDOS FOR HUP S EC U R ITY
`` HUP Security was named one of the top security organizations in the country! The staff include (from left) Mohamed Fofanah, Shannon Harvey, Amanda Esterly and Trevor Clonts.
Security’s efforts to keep patients, visitors and staff safe throughout HUP, Penn Tower, and the Perelman Center have been nationally recognized by Security 500 magazine, which ranked the department as one of the top 10 security organizations in the health-care sector! The ranking was based on data supplied by the participating enterprises and obtained through public resources and records. And Security does more than just ensure our safety. Over 20 members have signed up to donate blood at the Penn Medicine Blood
4
Donation Center this month, as part of Support Services’ blood drive. Thank you for starting the year off by giving back! Donating blood is easy and convenient. The Center, now located on Ravdin 3 (in the new Apheresis, Infusion, and Blood Donation Center), is open Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm. Schedule an appointment online (pennmedicine.org/give-blood) or just walk in. Please consider donating blood. Join our Security team in helping to save lives!
HUPdate EDITORIAL STAFF Sally Sapega Editor and Photographer Lisa Paxson Graphic 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.