Volume 1
WHAT’Snew
Number 10
July 27, 2012
Pennsylvania Hospital
S E C R E TA RY O F H E A LT H P R E S E N T S E X C E L L E N C E AWA R D T O
SKILLED CARE CENTER `` PA Secretary of Health Dr. Eli. N. Avila, visited PAH, along with Deputy Secretary for Quality Assurance, Anna Marie Sossong and Director for Nursing Home Facilities, Susan Williamson, where they presented an Award of Excellence in Health Care Compliance to Kathy Magnes, SCC Nursing Home Administrator.
ON JULY 10, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Eli. N. Avila visited PAH and the Skilled Care Center (SCC) to present the state’s inaugural “Award for Excellence in Health Care Compliance.” “One of our goals is to change how we demonstrate quality assurance in Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Avila. “In reviewing our role, we realized we were missing positive reinforcement, which led to this award recognizing facilities that have shown excellence in meeting state regulations.” The Department of Health licenses and oversees 713 nursing homes statewide, conducting approximately 5,000 inspections annually, including licensure and certification surveys, follow-up surveys and complaint investigations.
INSIDE New Nursing Network Center Director Named...............................2 PAH Cath Lab Performs First Structural Heart Repair...................2 Muslims Celebrate Holy Month....2 Penn Medicine Hospitals Recognized for Outstanding Performance by U.S. News & World Report ..................................3 What’s Happening..........................4 View Your Paychecks & Manage Employee Records con’t................ 4
Facilities receiving the award were required to have no state citations over the last three calendar years based on annual health survey inspections. All department-licensed nursing homes were eligible for the award and did not need to apply to be considered. PA Secretary of Health Dr. Eli. N. Avila, visited PAH, along with Deputy Secretary for Quality Assurance, Anna Marie Sossong and Director for Nursing Home Facilities, Susan Williamson, where they presented the award to Kathy Magnes, BSN, RN, NA, SCC Nursing Home Administrator, at a ceremony in the Zubrow Auditorium. Afterwards, the Department of Health guests toured the SCC facility on 5 Spruce, including newly renovated rooms and sections currently still under construction.
“For years, Pennsylvania Hospital has taken great pride in maintaining a deficiencyfree skilled nursing facility,” said Magnes. “This achievement has been accomplished through the dedication and devoted care that the skilled care team members provide each and every day and we are honored to have our efforts recognized.”
`` PA Secretary of Health Dr. Eli. N. Avila tours the SCC renovations on 5 Spruce.
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VIEW YOUR PAYCHECKS MANAGE YOUR EMPLOYEE RECORDS ONLINE All throughout the Health System, a new Employee Records & Paychecks web-based tool has been launched that will allow you to make important changes to your employee records online, as well as view electronic versions of your paychecks. This new tool gives you the convenience to access and update your employee records online — from work, or from home.
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> > > PAH CATH LAB > > >
`` Interventional Cardiologist, Cardiac Cath Lab, Dr. Sahil Banka.
Performs First Structural Heart Repair
Angel McCullough Named NEW NURSING NETWORK CENTER DIRECTOR Welcome to Angel McCullough RN, MSN, MBA, CCRN, NE-BC, who has been named Director of the Nursing Network Center (NNC) at Pennsylvania Hospital. Angel comes to PAH from Crozer-Chester Medical Center where she oversaw multiple critical care units. She has a track record of remarkable patient outcomes including units without ventilator associated pneumonia, blood stream infections, and surgical site infections. Angel also brings with her a wealth of skills related to resource management across multiple units, patient progression, and the management of patient perception. Angel received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Chester University and her Master of Business Administration from Easter University. She recently completed her Master of Science in Nursing at LaSalle University. “We believe that Angel’s combination of preparation and experience will make her a tremendous addition to our leadership team,” said Mary Del Guidice, RN, MSN, BS, NE-C, chief nursing officer. “Angel’s arrival is a very important part of the NNC evolution. With her leadership we will be able to put together the key Nursing Network Center elements that support nursing operations. These will include the Nursing Administrative Coordinators, The Bed Management Team, Nursing Safety and Quality Team, and the Schedule Coordinator.” Angel and her team will be under the scope of Clinical Director, Pam Power, MSN, APRN, BC, and will interface with internal and external customers.
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The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory is usually known for opening clogged and blocked arteries with balloons and stents. However, this spring, interventional cardiologist Sahil Banka, MD, and the cath lab team did something new and exciting at Pennsylvania Hospital — they closed a large hole in the heart of a patient without surgery. Such holes in the heart are congenital heart defects that fail to close completely. They are referred to as atrial septal defects (ASDs) and patent foramen ovales (PFOs) and can go undetected into adulthood. Many individuals who are affected can live normal lives and never experience any symptoms. However, once a patient does experience symptoms, treatment is recommended which may include open heart surgery. Thanks to the continuous evolution of medicine and development of new techniques, Dr. Banka received training in percutaneous (literally meaning “done through unbroken skin”) closure of ASDs. With a needle and specialized catheters, Dr. Banka inserted a closure device into the defect and deployed the disks which closed the hole in the patient’s heart. “The case was a success and an exciting time for all of those involved,” said Danielle Heffner, MHA, BBA, director of Cardiology Services. “We would like to congratulate Dr. Sahil Banka and look forward to seeing him do more structural heart procedures here at Pennsylvania Hospital.” “In the past open-heart surgery was the only option for patients with ASD. However, due to advances in technology, percutaneous closure is becoming more common,” said Dr. Banka. “It was a real pleasure and a privilege to be part of the first catheter based ASD closure at Pennsylvania Hospital. We look forward to offering many more structural heart procedures to our patients here in the future.
Muslims Celebrate Holy Month of Ramadan The Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan — which means “the month of mercy” — is celebrated around the globe and began July 20, 2012. During this holy month, Muslims fast during the day for 30 days for the purpose of atonement and humility and to express kindness to others. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars (fundamental religious duties) of Islam. It is a time of self-examination and increased religious devotion. People of Islamic faith are encouraged to read the entire Qur’an (Islamic holy book) during
Ramadan. Some Muslims recite the entire Qur’an by the end of Ramadan through special prayers known as Tarawih, which are held in mosques every night of the month, during which a section of the Qur’an is recited. Ramadan is also a month for acts of charity. Some Islamic centers and organizations actively take part in charity events and activities such as giving basic necessities, including food and clothing, to the homeless or donating school equipment to schools.
Penn Medicine Hospitals
Recognized for Outstanding Performance by U.S. News & World Report
All three Penn Medicine hospitals made the U.S. News & World Report rankings as being among the top ten hospitals in Philadelphia. HUP again topped the list at #1, while Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and Pennsylvania Hospital ranked third and fifth respectively. All three Penn Medicine hospitals also ranked among the top ten hospitals in Pennsylvania. To have all three of our hospitals recognized so highly in this annual survey is a significant accomplishment of which everyone can be proud. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) was once again ranked among the top hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The publication’s annual ranking of hospitals in America lists HUP as one of only 17 hospitals in the nation to be recognized as an “Honor Roll” hospital for its exceptional performance,based on outstanding quality, expertise, technology, and experience. HUP is the only hospital in the Philadelphia region to make the 2012–2013 Honor Roll. This year, U.S. News made significant changes in the methodology used to rank clinical specialties which, in turn, impacts a hospital’s overall position on the Honor Roll. The publication notes that these methodological changes were part of a larger overall effort to make the rankings give more emphasis to objective criteria, such as nurse staffing levels, while still considering the reputational score as determined by a survey of physician specialists.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which consists of 12 months and lasts for about 354 days. The word “Ramadan” is derived from an Arabic word for intense heat, scorched ground and shortness of food and drink. It is considered to be the most holy and blessed month.
PAH Rankings & Recognitions Regional Recognitions: Pennsylvania Hospital is ranked #8 in Pennsylvania and #5 in the Philadelphia metro area. Recognitions by Specialty: Pennsylvania Hospital is nationally
ranked in Orthopedics (#46) and as high-performing in: Diabetes & Endocrinology; Ear, Nose & Throat; Gastroenterology; Geriatrics; Gynecology; Neurology & Neurosurgery; and Urology. Complete rankings as well as their methodology can be found at www.usnews.com/besthospitals.
No ratings or rankings can truly capture the dedication and commitment to outstanding patient care that is demonstrated every day by each member of the Penn Medicine community. Individual and collective contributions enable Penn Medicine to be recognized once again as one of the top health care systems in the nation.
The month of Ramadan traditionally begins with a new moon sighting, marking the start of the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
said to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. This occurred on Laylat AlQadr, one of the last ten nights of the month. Ramadan ends when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted again, marking the new lunar month’s start. Eid-al-Fitr is the Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
Many Muslims (except children, the sick and the elderly) abstain from food, drink, and certain other activities during daylight hours in Ramadan. This is considered as the holiest season in the Islamic year and commemorates the time when the Qu’ran is
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WHAT’S H a p p ening
YOUR RESOURCE FOR EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS T H R O U G H O U T PA H A N D P E N N M E D I C I N E
For complete events listing, please visit What’s New on the Inside Penn Medicine web site at: http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside
AUGUST/ SEPTEMBER August 10
PAH Summer Blood Drive
August 18
Join Penn Medicine/CHOP Team for the LIVESTRONG Challenge Philly
September 7
The 2012 Quality and Patient Safety Awards
September 24
Penn Medicine Annual Fall Golf Outing
September 29-30 Join Team UPHS/PENN for the 32nd Bike MS: City to Shore Ride
September 30
5K for The Institute on Aging and The Memory Mile Walk
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VIEW YOUR PAYCHECKS MANAGE YOUR EMPLOYEE RECORDS ONLINE
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Here are just a few things you can do with Employee Records & Paychecks: »» View and print electronic versions of your paychecks. »» Update your direct deposit bank account information. »» Make changes to your name, address, and emergency contact information. »» To learn more, read the FAQ’s here: http://uphsxnet.uphs.upenn.edu/lawson/ERaP-FAQs.pdf
EDITORIAL STAFF
Additionally, in an effort to increase efficiency and reduce waste, all employees who do not receive “live checks” and receive their pay via direct deposit, will no longer receive hard copy, paper pay stubs effective September 15.
Olivia Fermano Editor and Photographer
The new online paystubs provide information similar to the paper version of your direct deposit or paper paycheck stub including earnings, deductions, current and year-to-date history. Get started today by visiting www.pennmedicine.org/employeeselfservice and login using your Network ID and Password or by accessing the site from the UPHS Homepage. For out of network connectivity, visit PennMedicine.org to access Employee Resources, found in the “Learn More” section. For trouble accessing Employee Records and Paychecks, call the ERP Command Center at 215.823.7737. For questions on how to read the online pay stub, please call Payroll at 267.414.2323 for assistance.
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WHAT’Snew Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications
Pamela Furches Design Graphic Design Barry Ogburn Photography
ADMINISTRATION
Susan E. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs CONTACT WHAT’Snew at: Department of Communications Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19106 phone: 215.829.6799 email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu WHAT’Snew is published biweekly for PAH employees. Access WHAT’Snew online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.