PSCU Upper Right          PSCU Upper Left  

Volume 8| Issue 12| Through January 6, 2015
 
     
            
Country Inn and Suites  
 
UCHealth makes changes to 2015 incentive plan Employees will still be able to earn an incentive payout. But the plan now bases a much larger percentage of the calculation on system success, and goals for quality and patient satisfaction are set to meet and exceed national standards. >>More
                                                        
A Movember to remember In this month's "Campus Diary": Things got hairy for some UCH providers, like Emergency Medicine chief Richard Zane, MD (right), in their quest to raise awareness of men's health issues. Plus: raise a glass of red wine to cancer-prevention study; Christmas sweaters rule. Plus: welcomes to two new arrivals. >>More
UCH transplant program pioneer moves on
There were some twists and turns along the way, but once Marge Frueh (left) arrived at UCH, she found a home in the Transplant Program -- and helped to transform it during nearly 20 years of service. Frueh retired Dec. 12. >>More
               
What's on your iPod?  Transporters at UCH like Debra Kimmons (right) now carry the mobile devices, not to punch up their favorite songs but to field requests to move patients. The iPods have helped to trim transport times and increase productivity notably in just three months. >>More
The year that was

In "This Hospital Life" (and the last issue of our seventh year): We look back on some of the high points and notable events of a whirlwind 2014. Plus: "What You Read." >>More
           
Blood loss study boosts safety, bolsters bottom line When orthopedic surgeon Craig Hogan, MD, requested a relatively expensive drug, tranexamic acid, to reduce blood loss during joint replacement procedures, Pharmacy hesitated. But it approved an in-house study that showed the drug reduces the number of procedures that require expensive and risky blood transfusions. >>More
A sharp showing for the JC
A Joint Commission surveyor had high praise for the Clinical Lab's fast-growing point-of-care testing program after a five-day site visit early this month. The program earned another two-year accreditation. Left: team members Beverly Dutcher, Sandra McMillan, Carolyn Swartz, and Melanie Mackercher with Clinical Lab Medical Director Ron Lepoff, MD. >>More
             
Marvelous mentors Professional Resources honored the top preceptors for the fourth quarter of 2014 -- the nurses and other providers who devote time to orienting and teaching nurse grads and others new to UCH. Right: Didi Robertson, RN, of the Outpatient Infusion Center, was one of nine honorees.  >>More
East meets West in nursing visit Laura Rosenthal (left), a nurse practitioner (NP) and professor with the CU College of Nursing, traveled more than 7,000 recently for a packed schedule of presentations, talks and panel discussions with NPs at two hospitals in Taiwan. But Rosenthal found the distance between the NP professions here and there is defined by more than geography. Plus: Rosenthal earns top professional award. >>More
              
Around UCH Our round-up of goings-on, big and small, in and out of the hospital. This issue: Farewell to the stately spruce; rarified air for respiratory leader (right); FasTracks traffic slowdown on the way; new ED on tap for UCHealth North; more.  >>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
See You Next Year
This is the last issue of the Insider for 2014. We'll take a break for the holidays and be back Jan. 7.
       
Joint Commission Gives Preliminary Nod to UCH

After a thorough five-day triennial survey, the hospital is poised to earn another three-year accreditation from the Joint Commission, pending a final report. Work lies ahead to meet a list of requirements for improvement that promises to be longer than in previous years. >>Go
                                        
Hospital Fall Rate Takes Record Tumble

More than a half decade of determined effort to reduce the rate of unassisted patient falls reached another milestone in November: the lowest figure in the hospital's history. Above: Orthopedics nurse Kelly Rozsa is one of the Falls Champions who has helped build a culture of safety in the inpatient units. >>Go
                                        
  
Rieber Continues Career Climb at Memorial

Dan Rieber (above), who made his mark during five years as director of finance and controller at UCH, reached a personal goal with his recent appointment as permanent chief financial officer at Memorial Hospital. Rieber, who served 11 months as interim CFO, was instrumental in Memorial's recent financial turnaround. >>Go
                                                   
  
Periop Wages Battle
of the Bundle
Intent on reducing surgical-site infection rates, Perioperative Services teamed with providers across the hospital to tweak an already successful prevention bundle for joint surgeries and implement it for neuro/spine and OB/Gyn procedures. The effort is helping to transform patient care. Above: some of the team members. From left: Carolyn Dietrich, Jennifer Jessen and Nicole Babu of Periop; Chris Olson of Infection Control. >>Go
              
Drifting into Patient Care

In our latest "Provider Portrait": 15 years ago, UCH orthopedic surgeon Jonathan Bravman, MD (above), was spending his time spinning his (bike) wheels. The experience -- and various odd jobs -- helped to drive his interest in medicine. >>Go
               
UCH in the News

Second-hand smoke, first-rate risk; breathing easier on concussion care; pumping the brakes on pot benefits; mental health funding boost. Mentions: Michelle Barron; Kevin Chapman; Beth Anne Fisher; Rene Gonzales; Kim Heidenreich; Edward Hendrick; Christopher Lieu; Benjamin Miller; Dana Steidtmann; William Vandivier. >>Go