Stapleton March 09 University of Colorado UCHInsider - Anchutz Medical Campus PSCU Animated Gif
Volume 3, Issue 10 * Through November 24, 2009
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HRE Scale
Nearly half of those who responded to the hospital's Health Risk Evaluation survey were overweight, obese or morbidly obese.
Many UCH Employees at Risk, Survey Says 
Nearly half of the more than 700 who took part in the second annual Health Risk Evaluation said they have three or more health risks -- and that was marginally better than last year's report. One possible response: develop a strategic wellness plan.      Go
Fax machines
Chris Ketchum (left) and Dave Severenuk of Information Services are helping to retire the hospital's fax fleet.
UCH Slowly Phasing out Fax Machines 
A new application that lets employees manage fax traffic from their computers has improved efficiency and made operations greener in some departments. But changing allegiances from the tried and true takes time. Go
New Rule Makes
Privacy Breaches
Even More Costly
 
The feds want to make providers go public and pay stiffer penalties for patient privacy violations. Go
Weapons Policy
Samurai rarely generate questions about the hospital's weapons policy, but firearms sometimes do.
No Concealing UCH Weapons Policy 
Unless you're a hospital Security or certified law enforcement officer, leave your gun at home -- even if you have a concealed weapons permit. Go
Cass holland
Biomed equipment tech Cass Holland displays one of his many guitars.
The Musicians of UCH 
There are musicians hidden throughout the hospital, but here are four who have harmonized health care and musicianship.Go
UCH in the News 
Battle over bone marrow; corn crisis; pumped-up study; more. Mentions: Michael Chonchol, James DeGregori, Donald Gilden, Adit Ginde, Frederick Grover, Diana Jalal, Richard Johnson, Choon-Kee Lee, Michael McDermott, Gerard Smits.Go
Alerts
Budget Cuts 2
Recession ending? State budget cuts deliver two more stings to hospital Governor Ritter's new budget-balancing plan would delay and reduce Medicaid payments, even as the number of Medicaid-eligible patients climbs. And ever-deeper cuts to higher ed threaten hiring faculty for clinical services. More
The cuts: what's been hurt so far Lower reimbursements for Medicaid, TriWest outpatient services and Child Health Plan Plus just mean someone else has to cover the costs. "There is a limit to how much we can cost shift," says UCH's director of Managed Care. Even the new "provider fee," coming next spring, won't cover the gap.  More
"The relief valve we were hoping it would be" The early-arriving flu season brought an influx of probably infectious patients to the ED. The solution: open an after-hours "Surge Clinic" in the AOP for three weeks to handle the extra traffic. Results are so far encouraging. But is it affordable? More
Boo Bash
Creatures stalk the hospital! They joined Gumby, Jedi knights and even Napoleon (apparently looking for a little Elba room) at the hospital's fourth annual Boo Bash. Above: a motley crew of creatures in the Birth Center.More
Inside the Insider Commentary: Bruce Schroffel and Angela Lieurance on the big benefits -- and risks -- of communicating, communicating, communicating. Plus: What Your Read, a campus postcard and a Veterans Day thank you. More
Pulmonary Rehab
Pulmonary rehab helps patients swing back at lung disease Sweat and wisecracks fly at the gym, where a former boxer, a Gulf War vet and other patients stride, pedal and lift away in their fight back from lung surgery.  More
"More widespread than cancer and cardiovascular disease combined" Depression doesn't just hurt, it kills, says the CEO of the National Network of Depression Centers, who visited UCD's program this month. Funding a bill now in the U.S. Senate, he says, could help lower the surprisingly large human and economic toll the disorder exacts.More
Not shocking, just frustrating A giant, 10-year study -- done here and at 26 other institutions -- found diet, weight loss and exercise can stave off the onset of type 2 diabetes. The conclusions aren't surprising, but "toxic lifestyles," cultural barriers and economics combine to make change difficult, UCH providers say. More
Turkeys
Around UCH Our regular round-up of goings-on, big and small, in and around the hospital. This issue: flu vaccine influx; Magnet visit on tap; turkey time; holiday book drive; stress-busting; more... More
Dean Krugman's news The latest on what's going on at the School of Medicine. More
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