Volume 2, Issue 16 Through Feb. 16, 2009 |
A Surprisingly Bright December UCH's finances remained solid in December, the 18th straight month operations were in the black. But with the economy in crisis, the administration is maintaining a cautious hiring and spending stance. |
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Researchers at UCD's Muscle Performance Laboratory are testing the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulators on recovery from total knee replacement. | |
Better Knee Replacements? Post-op rehab may be the least understood part of a very complex procedure. But physical therapy research on patients at UCH, one of the busiest practices in the region, aims to help patients recover quicker. |
How Are We Doing? Halfway through the fiscal year, the hospital shows improvement in key strategic areas, from the number of ED ambulance divert hours to its operating margin. But questions remain about discharging patients earlier and preventing hospital-acquired conditions. |
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There were cupcakes galore at last week's Magnet celebration, but meatier work lies ahead for the program. | |
A Brief Toast on the Way back to Magnet As it prepped to go for a rare third straight redesignation, UCH paused to celebrates its seventh year as a Magnet hospital for nursing. |
Rushing toward a Med Management Deadline By February 23, the hospital must submit to the Joint Commission plans to correct deficiencies in three key areas. One goal: get the "Q.D." out. |
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Patrons of UCH's Patient Resource Center will soon have the services of a Health Sciences librarian one day a week. | |
Health Librarian in Full Effect at the AOP
Librarians from UCD's Health Sciences Library are about to expand the depth of information available to patients, clinical staff and other visitors to the Patient Resource Center. | |
Coming to a medical campus near you... a medical boom. Despite the sagging economy, a Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority report forecasts employment on and near the Anschutz Medical Campus someday will be greater than that of Colorado's oil and gas industry.
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Care to uninsured at UCH on the rise As the second-largest "safety net" hospital in the area, the hospital is bracing to deliver more uncompensated -- free -- care, even as its own investments are threatened. Meanwhile, looming budget cuts from Colorado Governor Bill Ritter (above), may make the situation even tougher. Photo: Ed Andrieske, Associated Press.
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A quickening cash flow A long-term and deceptively complex effort to get invoices out on time is making progress. The result: millions more dollars in charges now get entered into the system on time every week.
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When will the lab results be back? The question is urgent for everyone. The Clinical Lab's recent process improvements have helped Cancer Center nurses answer with more certainty. The lab's Deb Havens (left) and Lynne Conroy on collaborative changes that have improved patient care.
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Progess toward "employee engagement" slows A recent employee opinion survey found two measures -- working well with other departments and feeling a part of decision making -- had reached a plateau.
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Burn Unit celebrates a decade of excellence Employees, patients, media and other visitors participated as the nationally recognized unit -- the only one in the region verified by the American Burn Association -- observed its fourth ABA reverification. Above: Burn Unit nurse manager Mary Holden.
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Inside the Insider: Joe Patient Goes to the ED Our Everyman appreciated the care he received, but wonders what's up with the thin reading selections, the unrelieved stretches of boredom and, most of all, the indignities of the hospital gown. Plus: our top 10 stories from last issue and your letters.
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"Deathlessness" A newly wed, vivacious UCH oncology pharmacist lost an extraordinarily graceful battle with cancer that turned her from caregiver to patient. Friends remember the things they learned from Bryn Cooper.
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Both sides of the bed rail UCH pharmacist Gerry Barber shares reflections spurred by Bryn Cooper's death.
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Around UCH Our regular round-up of goings on, big and small, in and around the hospital, including medical staff award winners (among them Carolyn Sanders and Steven Ringel, above); "Stepping into Gear"; a heartfelt event; new nursing directors and more.
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