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So-so Service Excellence scores could pull down incentive payout Patient satisfaction scores for the third quarter dipped at UCH and other UCHealth hospitals. Without improvement, the scores could reduce the fiscal yar 2013 bonus payout. At UCH, Service Excellence Steering Committee members will huddle next week to develop long-range strategies to improve satisfaction throughout the organization. >>More |
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Sidebar: Pulmonary Medicine gets back to service basics The unit serves a medically complex patient population, and has expansion and hiring challenges. Yet it's boosted its Service Excellence scores by eying patients' social and emotional needs. "Meeting the individual needs of all of our patients is our main focus," says Nurse Manager Kaycee Shiskowsky.Left: a simple employee ID badge symbol raised money for video games for cystic fibrosis patients at the unit for long periods. >>More |
Suit, tie, skateboard In this month's Campus Diary: Data Analytics Manager Lenny Larchick (right) hardly fits the stereotype of a blue jean-clad, pimply-faced skateboarding dude, but he makes his way around campus on his trusty board nearly every day. Plus: the benefits of sucking your kid's pacifier; an anal-retentive employee; and our first campus fashionista feature. >>More |
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Transplant team hits the road to find candidates Recognizing that candidates for kidney and pancreas transplant may have trouble traveling long distances to UCH for an evaluation, the Transplant Center sends a team of providers to four communities in Colorado. "Patients have been incredibly appreciative, and providers are asking for more," says UCH nephrologist Alexander Wiseman, MD, second from near left, with other team members. >>More |
Cancer care meets reality TV The Cancer Center's Thoracic Oncology Director Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, recently received a phone call requesting a second opinion for a patient with lung cancer. Little did he know the help he provided would bring him in touch with the world of reality television. Camidge (second from far right) with patient Hank Baskett, Sr. (far right) and reality stars Hank Baskett III and Kendra Wilkinson. >>More |
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A cold war on esophageal disease UCH is the only hospital in the region to treat damaged or diseased esophageal tissue -- including early-stage cancer -- with short blasts of super-cooled nitrogen. Interventional gastroenterologist Norio Fukami, MD, says the technique offers a safe and less painful alternative to other ablation techniques. >>More |
The leadership incubator In This Hospital Life: The soon-to-move Medical Intensive Care Unit may occupy an obscure space divided by a breezeway in AIP 1 (right), but it's produced an outsized share of the hospital's high-impact nursing leaders. Plus: "What You Read." >>More |
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A tiny ally for glaucoma sufferers The world's smallest implantable device (left) acts like a tiny drain to relieve the intraocular pressure that causes glaucoma. UCH ophthalmologist Leonard Seibold, who has implanted the device in about a half-dozen patients, says the iStent is not a cure, but could help patients reduce their reliance on medications. It's also a painless alternative to laser treatments and conventional surgery. >>More |
Antibodies v. antibodies School of Medicine neurologist Jeffrey Bennett, MD, PhD (right), earned the CU Tech Transfer Office "Inventor of the Year" award for his work on a treatment for a rare disease of the optic nerve and spinal cord. The technology involved developing benign antibodies that block other antibodies that, in turn, trigger the autoimmune response that causes the disease. Bennett and his colleagues have launched a start-up company to perfect and market their discovery. >>More |
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Around UCH Our regular round-up of goings-on, big and small, in and around the hospital. This issue: The Osmonds rock the Marion Downs Hearing Center (left); another Bike to Work Day cycle begins; nurses enter survey season; Burn set to sizzle the links; a gym opening looms; more. >>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 |
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Preparing to Add Badly Needed Beds in AIP 2 |
In a massive expansion and space shuffling, the Medicine Specialties, Oncology and Medical Intensive Care units will all move into gleaming spaces in the new tower June 8, while other units realign in AIP 1 and surge units created to handle heavy volume close. Above: Nurse Manager Mark Yoder, RN, in the new MICU, which increases capacity by seven beds. >>Go |
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Destination: UCH |
The hiring surge spurred by the tower expansion has dramatically increased the number of traveler nurses at UCH. The newcomers have provided valuable support for capacity-challenged units, but they sometimes carry a big price tag. >>Go |
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Move for Money |
University of Colorado Health is set to offer employees who take the Personal Health Assessment an incentive for getting off their duffs. The Be Colorado Move program, which launches July 1, provides a free downloadable smartphone app that tracks and records physical activity. Employees who meet minimum goals can earn an extra $25 a month. >>Go |
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Putting MD-Nurse Relations on the Line |
The 2012 RN survey showed scores measuring "collegial nurse physician relations" fell in the PACU. One big reason: an online tool that physicians love and nurses find frustrating. A new project aims to educate nurses and non-physicians about the tool, which helps schedule attendings and residents on-call, and increase its use. Above: PACU nurse Mary Hurlbert, RN, is helping to lead the effort. >>Go |
UCH in the News |
Scheduling heart failure; the eyes have it; taking the keys from the elderly; more. Mentions: Lisen Axell; Marian Betz; Kevin Everhart; Norio Fukami; David Kao; Nanette Santoro; Leonard Seibold; Joseph Vande Griend. >>Go |
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