Inside Penn Medicine

Digital Edition of HUPdate - 12/9/2016

Paul Foster — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 12:30:43 -0500

Click here of the digital edition of HUPdate.

A Thanksgiving to Remember

Sally Sapega — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:30:02 -0500

Spending a holiday in the hospital is hard for both patients and their loved ones, but, thanks to the HEADstrong Foundation, Thanksgiving on HUP’s oncology floors – Rhoads 3,6, and 7, and Dulles 6 – became a more cheerful (and especially well-fed) place.

Nick Colleluori, a young man who battled non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the Abramson Cancer Center, created HEADstrong to raise awareness of the disease and help other cancer patients. Before he died in 2006, he made his family promise to bring his vision to fruition. A decade later, his family has more than kept its promise. The HEADstrong Foundation has raised over $9 million to help support more than 13,500 patients through grants for treatment expenses and for cancer research.

The annual Thanksgiving visit to HUP is a tribute to Nick, said his mother, Cheryl, who is president of the Foundation. “It was his favorite holiday,” she said. Colleluori family members and more than 30 HEADstrong volunteers set up banquet tables in each floor’s conference room and covered them with fall decorations and homemade cards that elementary school children created for patients.

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Snacks, Stories and Games: Putting the Fun Back in Summer

Sally Sapega — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:28:15 -0500

When Laura Carter, patient service associate for Penn Medicine Cherry Hill, worked in the trauma unit at Cooper Hospital, she saw many victims of violence. She vividly remembers one, a young man who had been shot eight times but, miraculously, recovered. “Before he was discharged, he told me that he’d get his life together this time. He said ‘I don’t want this to happen again.’” Months later, he returned to the ER, but this time no one could save his life. “I knew then that I wanted to help – give these kids a way to escape the violence in Camden,” she said. “I had to do something.”

Growing up in Philadelphia, she recalled enjoying free lunches and free recreation activities during the summer. “They don’t have that in Camden. Kids have nothing to do. A lot are in the houses by themselves.” That’s when she came up with Setfree Urban Outreach, a fun and safe way for underprivileged children in Camden to spend Saturdays during the summer. “I simple wrote down what I wanted to do and then I made it happen!” she said. She created and distributed flyers in several Camden neighborhoods but didn’t think many kids would show. That first summer 250 kids and parents came.

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Local Students Get a Glimpse of Working in Medicine

Sally Sapega — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:24:21 -0500

Last month, several middle school students from Quba Institute, an Islamic school in West Philadelphia, visited Rhoads 7 to learn about health-care careers. “Our goal was to expose students from underserved communities to career opportunities in medicine,” said Lily A. Arya, MD, of OB/GYN, who helped organize the visit. During a workshop held in the unit conference room, the students participated in hands-on activities (including suturing and hand washing) and spoke with nurses, residents, fellows and medical students about working in health care. In addition, Sakinah Wade, RNC MNN, BSN, of Women’s Health, made a presentation on multiculturalism.

Though students did not visit clinical areas because of infection control policies, “the principal of Quba Institute thought that the visit would have a deep and lasting impact on her students,” Arya said. “The enthusiasm of the young doctors and nursing staff who participated and their genuine pleasure in 'giving back' to the community was impressive!”

The visit also included a stop at Penn’s Biomedical Library where students learned how 3D printing is used in medical research and saw a specially designed tray to hold tiny zebrafish and models of a femur showing the spongy tissue.

Photo caption: Lily A. Arya, MD, shows students from the Quba Institute how to suture during their visit to Rhoads 7.

Above and Beyond Heroes

Sally Sapega — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:19:20 -0500

The Above and Beyond Award recognizes HUP employees who have a meaningful and positive impact on patients and colleagues by consistently acting with respect, leading by example, and inspiring others around them to emulate their impeccable professionalism in our work environment. Five HUP employees were chosen as award recipients for the Fall 2016 quarter:

Shaleeta Mills, CNA, on Silverstein 7, was the assigned CNA for a patient who required a 1:1 for suicide precautions and was also recently postpartum with an infant in the Intensive Care Nursery . The patient was feeling ready to give up breast pumping, was feeling depressed about her milk production and was very disheartened until she met Shaleeta who stepped in right at a crucial moment and gave her the inspiration she needed to not give up. She even took the time to create a pumping schedule for the patient.

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2016 Philadelphia Heart Walk – THANK YOU!

Sally Sapega — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:17:29 -0500

At this year’s #PhillyHeartWalk, Penn Medicine was the number one fundraising company and health system, with over $270,000 raised and over 1900 registered walkers. Not only did we beat both our overall fundraising goal and our walker recruitment goal for the 2016 Heart Walk, but the Penn team also raised more money and recruited more walkers than ever before. The HUP-CPUP team alone boasted more than 500 walkers and raised nearly $66,000!

The funds we all worked so hard to raise go directly into cardiovascular research and education – and Penn Medicine is awarded more research dollars than any other hospital or health system in the region.

Thank you for your support of the American Heart Association. It was wonderful to see so many employees, friends and family join our fight against heart disease and stroke.

Save the Date: The Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show

Sally Sapega — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:16:30 -0500

The 2017 Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show will be held on Friday, April 21, through Sunday, April 23. This year’s show will benefit Penn Medicine’s Department of Radiation and Oncology. The money raised will help support the department’s Quality of Life Program, which was created to improve its waiting areas, making patients’ first encounter on the journey of healing a transformative and holistic experience by providing a place of calm, community, optimism, inspiration, and support.

The Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show is an exciting opportunity to experience history through a world of extraordinary treasures. With more than 60 distinguished exhibitors presenting exceptional handcrafted items and art from the Colonial to the Mid-20th Century eras. Mark your calendars to see why the Philadelphia Show has been called one of the finest of its kind for over 50 years.

More details are available here.

Penn Travel Medical Insurance Free through International SOS

Sally Sapega — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:15:15 -0500

All Penn and UPHS employees traveling on Penn-affiliated trips abroad are members of International SOS (ISOS). This membership includes 24/7 medical and security consultation, hospital referrals, emergency evacuation assistance and travel medical insurance. In order to receive notification of ISOS membership, a summary of benefits and a link to download your ISOS member card, please register your roundtrip flight itinerary in Penn’s Global Activities Registry.

More information on International SOS and how to register your travel can be found on Penn’s International Travel Guidance or by contacting Jaime Molyneux, director of International Risk Management.

Digital Edition of HUPdate - 11/23/2016

Paul Foster — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 12:01:49 -0500

Click here for the digital edition of HUPdate.

HUP Celebrates Patient Advocate Award Winners!

Sally Sapega — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:45:55 -0500

“Talented, innovative, bringing excellence to everything they do. Trusted, respected, valued. Welcoming and comforting”

These were just some of the glowing adjectives Carolyn Jackson, COO, read in the narratives describing this year’s winners of the HUP Patient Advocacy Recognition Awards. “And the word ‘always,’” she added. “These are things they do every day. It is in the fabric of who they are.”

This year’s winners reflect HUP at its best. They consistently succeed at making the patient experience a great one. And it’s making a difference. “With your help, patient satisfaction is at all-time record highs,” said Garry Scheib, CEO of the hospital, at this year’s Recognition Ceremony. “Our quality and patient outcomes are improving every year, thanks to team efforts led by our awardees.”

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Strike Heroism

Sally Sapega — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:39:31 -0500

The weeklong SEPTA transit workers' union strike earlier this month threw a wrench into the lives of thousands of daily commuters. Many discovered the “joys” of early morning walks to work. Others turned to coworkers – or neighbors or friends – to drive in together. HUP employees did whatever was needed to get to the hospital to care for patients and make sure the daily operations continued uninterrupted. Below are just a few examples of the efforts staff took to make it to and from work.

Food and Nutrition Services employee Donte Cooks walked from 41st and Girard every day he was scheduled to work and helped out over the weekend when he was scheduled off. Sandra Williams, a friendly face at Au Bon Pain, walked from 53rd St – over two miles – to be at HUP for her 5am shift. And Dave Johnson walked over two and a half hours on his daily trek to HUP, which included picking up his kids and then dropping them off at school!

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Honoring Our Veterans of Care

Sally Sapega — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:33:48 -0500

Penn Medicine honored and thanked the more than 300 dedicated men and women who have served our nation — and are now part of the extended family of Penn Medicine. William Schwab, MD, of Surgery; Carrie Sims, MD, of Surgery; Jeremy Cannon, MD of Trauma; and Michael Duncan, president and CEO of Chester County Hospital all spoke of their experiences in the military and its impact on their lives. “The experience lives with you quietly forever,” Schwab said.

“What I saw in Iraq changed my life,” Cannon said.

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Bringing Back The “Good Catch!” Program

Sally Sapega — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:32:23 -0500

The Good Catch program was created to improve patient safety by publicly recognizing outpatient staff who proactively identify potential process issues, report them in Penn Medicine Safety Net, help resolve the issues, and share the lessons learned across the organization.

Help us recognize those who promote a culture of safety and prevent harm to patients. Click here to learn more about the Good Catch program and nominate a person or team.

The Good Catch Committee will evaluate all submissions and present awards on a quarterly basis, beginning in December 2016. Click here for additional questions.

Parents and Teens Learn the Way to Safety

Sally Sapega — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:27:11 -0500

Distracted driving is responsible for more than 3,000 deaths and over 400,000 injuries per year. We all know it’s dangerous but how many of us have been that person drifting into the other lane because we were doing something else when we should have had our attention focused squarely on the road?

“Today, there are twice as many drivers actively using handheld electronic devices while driving as there were five years ago. Not surprisingly, crashes directly related to cellphone use while driving increased by 38 percent during same time period. This is not about increasing awareness of the risks – everyone already knows it’s dangerous,” said M. Kit Delgado, MD, MS, of Emergency Medicine and Epidemiology.

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Come Hear the Sounds of Music

Sally Sapega — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:25:21 -0500

Plan to attend the first concert of the Penn Medicine Symphony Orchestra, comprising members of HUP’s staff as well as students from the Perelman School of Medicine. The concert will feature Mozart’s overture to The Marriage of Figaro, Rossini’s overture to The Barber of Seville, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. It will take place on Sunday, December 11, at 2 pm in Irvine Auditorium. Admission is free and it's open to the public.

Holiday Outreach?

Sally Sapega — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 10:24:15 -0500

Is your department or area planning to do some holiday outreach in the community? We'd love to share the story of your efforts to brighten this season for others. Please email information about the outreach and photos to the editor.

Thank you!

Digital Edition of HUPdate - 11/11/2016

Paul Foster — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 12:50:15 -0500

Click here for the digital edition of HUPdate.

A Helping Hand … and Much More

Sally Sapega — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 11:06:35 -0500

Nurses are responsible for direct patient care on a unit – but a bevy of supplies and equipment help them to ensure the very best outcomes for patients. This is where support associates come in, serving as an “extra set of hands” on busy patient care units. Their work includes stocking supplies, but reaches far beyond that behind-the-scenes task. They’re each an integral part of the unit’s clinical team, supporting patient care on many levels.

“Everything you do helps us deliver quality care on the unit,” said Regina Cunningham, PhD, RN, SVP and chief nursing executive for UPHS, at this year’s Support Associate Recognition Day.

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PM Experience Week: Thank You For All You Do!

Sally Sapega — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 10:51:17 -0500

Every day staff work hard to deliver high-quality patient care. During last month’s Penn Medicine Experience Week, HUP showed its appreciation, going all out to celebrate its employees. “Everyone contributes to the patient experience,” said Tonita Chapman, director of HUP Admissions. “We really are changing lives … even by just smiling at a patient.”

The celebration started on Monday morning with leaders handing out “Changing Lives” candy bars to employees arriving for work and ended on another sweet note on Friday, with an ice cream social. Leaders -- wearing “soda jerk hats”-- scooped out ice cream to more than 800 employees, staff and residents! The week also included aromatherapy hand massages, fitness/wellness tips, and Donate Life organ registration. And employees received “Changing Lives” blankets.

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Books Through Bars: Educating and Raising Awareness

Sally Sapega — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 10:37:56 -0500

Books Through Bars helps a population that society rarely thinks about – those who are incarcerated. Each week the organization distributes hundreds of free books and educational materials to prisoners in Pennsylvania and several surrounding states. Last year alone, Books Through Bars mailed over 24,000 books. It also works hard to raise awareness and a better understanding of this population.

“These individuals want to pursue opportunities to improve their life,” said Greg Richter, a senior medical communications officer who has volunteered for the organization for the past two and a half years. “It’s good for the individuals and it’s good for all of society.”

Richter explained that Books Through Bars sends books in response to letters from prisoners. “Some request specific titles while others write about topics they like,” he said. Generally, each prisoner receives from two to five books. Richter also donates brown paper bags from supermarkets, which are used to wrap the books. To save even more money, they’re shipped at bookseller rates.

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Horton Receives Case Management Award

Sally Sapega — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 10:35:18 -0500

Congratulations to Crystal Horton, RN, BSN, Clinical Resource coordinator of Clinical Resource Management & Social Work who received the department’s first annual Nurse Case Management Service Excellence Award.

According to coworkers on Rhoads 4, Horton is a staunch and proactive patient advocate. She has coordinated free transcontinental air ambulance transportation to reunite a patient with her family and was able to secure rent control for a disabled patient by petitioning the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

“Her knowledge of discharge planning and utilization reviews is exemplary. She is an excellent teacher and a resource for all case managers.… She has an infectious energy,” said one person

Added another, “Her overall experience, knowledge, and commitment demonstrate the highest internal standards and devotion to hard work so valued among nurses in the case management profession.”

What's Up at HUP?

Sally Sapega — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 10:32:13 -0500

Do you have an annual Thanksgiving Day tradition?

Helena Conn of General Medicine

When my nephews were little, after dinner when they were bored, I’d take them to the local Wawa and 7-11 to buy bags of junk and slurpies. Now they’re in their 30s and we all jump in the car and still do it!

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2016 Employee Flu Campaign Ending Soon!

Sally Sapega — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 10:28:40 -0500

Over the past seven years, more than 98 percent of HUP and UPHS employees have been vaccinated for seasonal influenza. Getting the flu vaccine reduces the risk of illness for our staff and helps keep our patients, colleagues, and families safe and healthy. Penn Medicine has been recognized by the State of Pennsylvania for this key patient safety initiative. The 2016 Penn Medicine Employee Flu Campaign is an opportunity to continue our achievements. All staff must be vaccinated by November 23, 2016.

Vaccine for staff and attending physicians is still available from designated nurses in most inpatient units and many practices. In addition, flu vaccine is available 7:30 am to 5 pm from Occupational Health nurses on Ravdin 2. To ensure minimal waiting times and rapid documentation, bring your bar-coded Influenza Vaccine consent form, available on the UPHS Homepage link. Egg-free vaccine is available for egg-allergic employees. High dose vaccine is available for staff 65 and older. If you choose to be vaccinated outside UPHS this year, please send your documentation to HUP Occupational Medicine with a copy of your bar-coded form to make sure you get timely credit. Documentation of outside vaccines can also be emailed as a PDF.