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Volume 8| Issue 8| Through October 28, 2014
 
 
         
      
Country Inn and Suites  
 
UCH, UCHealth heighten Ebola prep News of the first patient diagnosed with the deadly virus at a U.S. hospital -- and the transmission of it to two health care workers caring for the patient -- triggered rounds of intensified planning across the UCHealth system. The plans, still ongoing, aim to protect patients and the people who care for them and streamline decision making and communications. >>More
                                                    
End approaches for a campus fixture The hospital and AIP 2 construction crews committed many resources in 2011 to saving the once-stately blue spruce that stands between the employee parking garage and the tower. Its thinning branches, however, show the tree has succumbed to its biggest foe: age. It will be removed sometime in the next several months. >>More
No laughing matter: nitrous oxide for labor at UCH
The hospital became the first in the state Monday to offer women in labor nitrous oxide to help them through the pain of contractions. It's an alternative to epidurals and narcotic analgesics that is safe for both mother and baby, said Jessica Anderson of the Center for Midwifery (far left). >>More
          
Performance improvement hits the peaks UCHealth will hold its first "Performance Excellence Summit" next month at UCH. Nearly 60 UCHealth staff and faculty submitted projects and ideas for improving quality, safety, and service, says VP of Performance Excellence. A committee will choose the top 12 for presentations Nov. 11. Above: UCH Clinical Nurse Educator Amanda Swedhin, RN, submitted work she is doing to help patients manage their pain.  >>More
Is rooting for sports hazardous to your health? In this month's "Campus Diary": yelling, screaming, throwing things, eating high-fat snacks: a new study shows these game-time standards take a toll on the body. The hospital's Garrett Miller (left) comments on the physical effects of pulling for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. Plus: the wise-saying white board; acronym challenges in Pharmacy; John Harney's "Up" moment; more. Plus: who's new at the hospital. >>More
     
OpenNotes debate not closed OpenNotes, the application that allows patients to use My Health Connection to view the progress notes physicians write during office visits, went live at seven UCH primary care practices in August. But two practices, including UM-Anschutz, declined to participate, amid questioning of the value of the application and anxieties about added time pressures it could impose on already busy physicians. >>More 
One brother's art, another brother's life

In "This Hospital Life": Gino Miles (near left) created the sculpture titled "Aurora" that graces the courtyard between the inpatient towers. But he's also connected to UCH through a blood tie. Plus: "What You Read."

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Around UCH A round-up of goings-on, big and small, in and around the hospital. This issue: Magnet moves on; Pharmacy, PT celebrate; "Goode" news for former UCH CNO (right); 9Health Fair on its way to the hospital; more. >>More
 
UCH in the News Ebola blame game; widening options for birth control; lifesaving decisions in theater shooting; more. Mentions: Jessica Anderson; Michelle Barron; Ross Camidge; Michelle Cardel; Victoria Erickson; Dana Knapp; Stephanie Teal; Wei-Shin Wang; Cristina Wood; Richard Zane. >>More
              
Check out our Facebook page News, views, and stories of inspiration on UCH's Facebook page. Give us a like!. >>More
Dean Krugman's news The latest about what's going on at the School of Medicine. >>More
           
Follow the Insider on Twitter Regular updates on stories and happenings around UCH and UCHealth. >>More

  
                                  
System v. Sepsis

Data show that lowering sepsis mortality rates at UCHealth hospitals could save 120 lives a year. A system-wide initiative is underway to decide on the most effective methods for quickly identifying and treating the condition, which is the nation's leading cause of inpatient deaths. >>Go
                                              
  
Kids Fight back against Cancer with Art
A compelling exhibit in the Cancer Center shows the creative weapons young patients use to battle cancer: masks for radiation treatments turned into expressive works of art. >>Go
                                   
  
What's in a Name?

The hospital and CU School of Medicine parted ways this summer with the Marion Downs Hearing Center. The split doesn't affect clinical services at the hospital, says CU Otolaryngology Chair Herman Jenkins, MD (above). But it raises the question: just how important is a respected name to a clinic's brand?. >>Go
        
Putting a Chill on
Chemo Hair Loss

Losing hair is a difficult physical and emotional side effect of chemotherapy. Super-cooling the scalp with a "Cold Cap," like the one worn by a patient above at the Cancer Center's Infusion Center, can slow the process. >>Go
                                   
  
Winter on Its Way, with Its Discontents

Infection, toxic chemicals, fire hazards -- they all present safety risks at the hospital. Parking lots, too, say injury prevention coordinators with UCHealth. What to look out for this winter. >>Go
       
A Better Mousetrap for Measuring Liver Function

A start-up with roots in the laboratory research of CU Hepatology Section Director Greg Everson, MD (above), has received a patent for technology that could greatly relieve the discomfort of measuring liver function for thousands of patients. >>Go