Volume 7 | Issue 3 | Through August 13, 2013 
Fitz July 2013   
 
 
 
 
ED Door            

Big changes at the ED It's not just bigger, it's better: volumes, ambulance visits and patient sat scores are up dramatically while wait times are down. But a radically revamped care delivery model has created new challenges for busy staff. >>More 

Derek Birznieks
An unplanned test 
In This Hospital Life: Process Improvement Director Derek Birznieks (left) helped design virtually every aspect of the ED's fast new tracks. But a recent mishap showed him life in the ED from a different perspective. Plus: "What You Read."  >>More
 Extreme Weight Loss              
Wellness Center Gets the Star Treatment The details are hush-hush, but filming for a reality TV show is underway at the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center. >>More
 Community Assessment               
Health care reform hits home
UCH met a little-known requirement of the Affordable Care Act last month when it publicly posted its "Community Health Needs Assessment." Internal Revenue Service audits and fines await non-profit scofflaws. >>More
 BCBS Blue Distinction             
A "Plus" for Spine The hospital is now the only one in the state designated by Blue Cross Blue Shield as a "Blue Distinction Center + for Spine Surgery." The + designation shows the Spine program's clinical expertise, attention to patient safety, and ability to deliver cost-conscious, efficient surgical care. >>More
 data extraction             
The pain of lingering electronic fragmentation
The Diane O'Connor Thompson Breast Center's bid for a top quality designation has been at least partially stymied by difficulties getting data from non-Epic databases and information buried in text. >>More
Epic Experience            
Another kind of "Epic" for cancer survivors University of Colorado Cancer Center employees pitched in to help revive the spirits of adult cancer survivors with kayaking, hiking, fly-fishing and even laughing yoga. Kelly Adams (near right), Cindi Taylor-Moll and Jamie Bachman were among the Cancer Center staff who participated in "Epic Experience." >>More

Patient Theater Shooting             
Around UCH
Happenings here, there and everywhere near the hospital and the Anschutz Medical Campus. This issue: 7/20 shooting victim (far left) returns to UCH; Donor Dash drums up unprecedented support; t-shirt give-away on a mission; Visage Center readies face-saving event; more. >>More
DAISY Suzannah Averill             
Going the extra mile(s) for patients 9 West Pulmonary Unit nurse Suzannah Averill, RN (second from near left) earned a DAISY Award for the compassionate care she provided a seriously ill cystic fibrosis patient -- after her 12-hour shift ended.  >>More

Cahoon 
More than support After Sahra AlSammaraie Cahoon (left) lost her prematurely born four-month-old daughter, she set out to form a group to help moms of preemies ease the feelings of isolation she endured. The Moms Group meets regularly at UCH. "We are offering support, but we're not fixing everything," Cahoon says. >>More
Check us out on Facebook The latest happenings at UCH are on our Facebook page. >>More
Dean Krugman's news Get the scoop on happenings at the School of Medicine. >>More
Applicant Tracking System      
Many Jobs, One App
Coming August 20: a new job applicant tracking system that will, among other things, offer a single portal to view open positions at all of the UCHealth hospitals. Here, it will replace Taleo. >>Go
Campus Art Ceramics       
Beauty by Design
The paintings, ceramics, tempered glass and photographs adorning the walls of AIP make portions of the structure as much art gallery as health care facility. Plenty of thought went into the eye-catching array. >>Go
Soren Schoutlz Epic          
  
Epic Moves North
With help from throughout UCHealth, Poudre Valley Hospital and Medical Center of the Rockies went live with the first phase of their conversion to Epic July 13. Above: IT Vice President for Epic Soren Schoultz connects via Webcam on go-live day. Memorial comes next.   >>Go
David Crawford              
  
Find It, Kill It
Clinicians can freeze, fry, and pulverize tumors in the prostate gland, but success depends on focusing the attack directly on rogue tissue. UCH's E. David Craword, MD, and colleagues say their work shows that 3-D biopsy mapping technology pioneered here is the gold standard for diagnosing the location and size of lesions. >>Go
UCH in the News

Learning from 7/20; comfort food for cancer patients; the war with bacteria; from off the feet to six feet under; more. Mentions: Michelle Barron, Audrey Bergouignan, Tim ByersGregory Everson, Christopher Gelston, Igal Kam, Sean MenoganInigo San MillanLisa Wingrove, Richard Zane.

>>Go