PSCU 2 022912
  
Volume 6 | Issue 22 | Through May 21, 2013 
 
Fitz March 2013  
 
Eye Ad 1
Nurse Scientist   
 
Best Western
AIP 2 Move Across Bridge   
Smooth move to AIP 2 In the wee hours of May 6, the Neuro ICU departed for its new 24-bed home on the second floor of AIP 2, kicking off an essentially glitch-free move that concluded that afternoon with the Cardiac Progressive Care and Intensive Care units safely ensconced in their respective 12-bed homes on the third floor. The moves come less than two years after the hospital broke ground on the new 12-story tower. More transitions are on tap this month and next. Above: CICU nurses move the first patient across the bridge to the new tower. >>More
Neuro Departure   
Preparation pays off -- again
The quiet transitions the Cardiac units and the Neuro ICU made from AIP 1 to AIP 2 were the result of much staff planning and perspiration. Left: cleanup staff moved into the old Neuro ICU shortly after the early-morning move on May 6. Plus: UCH keeps the Help Wanted sign out as expansion into the new tower continues. >>More
Fixler Chicken    
UCH's chick magnet In this month's Campus Diary: Marketing Director Brad Fixler (right) is a fanatic for feathers and a pretty fair judge of fowl. Inside: we egg him on to cluck about his passion. Plus: process improvement meets grunge rock; a "Get Smart" look-alike; Eye Center staffer fulfills his vision. >>More
EndoBarrier      
Weight-loss surgery in a bag?
A medical device that looks like a grocery produce baggie could offer a weight-loss alternative to gastric bypass surgery. The EndoBarrier (left), now the subject of a clinical trial at the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, is a wisp of plastic placed by endoscope in the upper part of the small intestine. It's shown promise producing outsize results for controlling weight and diabetes. >>More
Maguire Marshall      
TAVR at one year The hospital has performed 42 transaortic valve replacements since launching the program in March 2012, and is part of a clinical trial to test new valves and delivery devices in a broader population of patients with aortic stenosis. Outcomes so far are promising, but a UCH providers caution it's too early to draw firm conclusions about a still-young -- and expensive -- technology. TAVR nurse coordinator Marie Maguire, RN (near right), and quality improvement specialist Kimberly Marshall, RN, follow the patients and their progress.  >>More
Diana Jalal        
Cracking down on CKD
It doesn't command the public attention of cancer or heart disease, but chronic kidney disease has quietly become one of the most voracious consumers of health care dollars -- and patients' lives. At UCH, a small team of renal experts has opened the Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic, offering multidisciplinary care to help patients control the hypertension, diabetes and obesity that is often at the root of CKD. Above: Diana Jalal, MD, is medical director of the half-day clinic. >>More
Brady and Garcia      
Sidebar: "Get your affairs in order." Told to prepare for the worst after being diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease, Vincent Garcia (far right) admits he shut down. But a referral to Advanced Practice Nurse Kate Brady (near right) in the hospital's Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic helped Garcia understand his disease and how to manage it. He's regained kidney function, working with Brady on managing his medications and controlling his weight. "He's the manager," says Brady. "I'm the assistant manager." >>More

Dancer Emcee           
Milestones for swingers?
A normally staid event to honor long-time hospital employees and retirees got an unexpected dash of spice this year from a warbling emcee, a DJ and a few tail-feather shakes from a dancer. Inside: photos, names of honorees. >>More
Janet McIntyre       
Participatory democracy: live and well In This Hospital Life: When UCH process improvement coach Janet McIntyre (right) got a chance for a trip to the nation's capital, she decided she'd see the sights -- like the offices of her representative and both senators. How did she snare one-on-one meetings with their legislative aides? She asked. Plus: "What You Read." >>More

Echo Vogel          
Presidential nods
The President's Awards for the first trimester of 2013 featured an array of honorees united by drives to improve the hospital's services and operations. Endocrinology Clinic referral specialist Echo Vogel (center, flanked by Ambulatory Services Vice President Suzanne Sullivan and President and CEO John Harney) copped the Outstanding Service Award. >>More
Bruce Wellness       
Around UCH A roundup of goings-on, big and small, in and around the hospital. This issue: Screaming for PHA screenings draws UCHealth top brass (right); engagement survey wants to hear from YOU; a "major" promotion at the Eye Center; firefighters offer money to burn; more. >>More

UCH in the news Raising a glass -- and heart risk; Boston bombing leads providers to Aurora; deadly kitchens; wake-up call on sleeping aids; more. Mentions: Michelle Barron; Derek Birznieks; Ross Camidge; Timothy Crombleholme; Teresa Harper; Bryan Haugen; Andrew Monte; Robert Neumann; Teri Schreiner; Robert Vogel; Richard Zane.   >>More
Dean Krugman's news The latest about what's going on at the School of Medicine.   >>More
Check us out on Facebook The latest happenings at UCH are on our Facebook page. >>More
Cloud Computing 
New Email Addresses For All
The hospital will switch to the Exchange Online email cloud platform May 17. The goal: vastly expanded mailbox storage, marking an end to the all-too-familiar "you have exceeded the size limit on your mailbox" messages. The change puts all UCHealth hospitals on the same platform. Meanwhile, email addresses will go standard, too. >>Go

Open Enrollment
May 24 Deadline
   
Systemwide Open Enrollment for Benefits Begins
The plan will cover all University of Colorado Health employees beginning July 1, 2013. Open forums began at UCH May 7; enrollment runs through May 24. System leaders say putting all employees on a single benefits platform improves bargaining power and is more efficient. >>Go

Samantha Weimer Linda Staubli     
  
Frostbite Fix far from a Bust
Clot-busting medications are typically used to help stroke and heart attack patients. But a growing body of literature shows that when they are used properly, they can also help save frozen digits of frostbite victims. UCH Burn Center nurses Samantha Weimer (above left) and Linda Staubli developed a protocol for administering clot-dissolving meds for frostbite. They presented their work last month at the American Burn Assn. annual meeting. >>Go

Mission and Vision       
  
A Mission to Define Vision
Mission and vision statements are often bland scoops of verbal vanilla. After months of input and discussion, UCHealth is getting ready to unveil one it promises is bold and brassy. But first: your chance to help create a "values" statement for the system. >>Go
Girls on the Run      
  
UCH Provides Boost for Band
on the Run
With the help of the Women's Integrated Services in Health (WISH) primary care practice, nearby Park Lane Elementary is getting coaching assistance from "Girls on the Run," an organization that helps young girls improve their health, self-esteem and confidence through regular physical exercise and training. >>Go