MEDICAL CENTER STAFF ADVISORY COUNCIL

MEDICAL CENTER STAFF ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
December 17, 2003

ATTENDEES: Linda Campbell, Jan Cotton, Angela Durham, Bettie Ferguson, Jan Gressman, Tom Jeffries, Joann Jenkings, Cindy Johnson, Lisa Leuellen, Carol Linginfelter, Angie Paulk, Judy Privett, Linda Reeder, Barbara Sammons, Janet Staley, Marcell Troupe, Rita Warren

GUESTS: Dean Steven Gabbe, Marilyn Dubree, Lisa Wagahoff.:

CALL TO ORDER: President Staley called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm. November Minutes were approved.

PRESENTATION: Brad Awalt – Health Plus Exercise & Facility Manager
Go for the Gold Initiative.
The confidential Health Risk Assessment (HRA) is a great way to get started making healthy lifestyle choices. Research shows that people who engage in healthy lifestyle practices need fewer medical services. Healthcare costs are rising at 20% annually and as an employer, one of Vanderbilt’s goals is to seek ways to reduce the growth of our healthcare premiums. The Go For The Gold Incentives Program assists in achieving this goal by encouraging and rewarding Vanderbilt faculty and staff who engage in healthy lifestyle choices.
The institutions had a goal of receiving 9300 responses by way of completing Health Risk Appraisal. 10,350 people actually submitted appraisal !

To gain Silver Medal level - take action towards good healthy lifestyles. See Silver Level on the website for links to ways to achieve the Silver. Print out silver rating worksheet. You can make copies of it from website. The interactive form will not be ready to go online until late May, 2004.

There are 9 wellness categories with 4 actions choices for each category – only 1 activity per category is required for credit. Employees need to participate in 5 or more actions to qualify for silver. Make a plan based on your previous health risk assessment.

You may access your previous assessment using the “Go for the Gold” site.

Privacy policy on health information – all information is held confidential. Aggregate data will be utilized for statistical analysis, but all Protected Health Information will be confidential.

Complete Health Risk Assessment every 12 months. Note: An employee cannot submit a new HRA until at least 6 mos after the previous one.

This plan is very comprehensive and the projected ROI (Return On Investment) is that for every dollar spent it yields three dollars in savings.

Questions? Go to www.vanderbilt.edu/goforthegold or email onlinehra@vanderbilt.edu

PRESENTATION: James Shmerling – CEO Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital

At the time of the meeting there were less than 25 days to go before inpatient portion of
VHC is opened.

Although it is better to see it in person, Mr. Shmerling presented a slide show with pictures of the new impressive Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

January 9th is the target date to open the facility.

Throughout November 2003, facility training and orientation took place.

On December 26th, the non essential items are slated to be moved.

The day before opening, the essential items move begins.

On opening day
7am Services begin – emergency, perioperative, nursing units, clinical and non-clinical areas.
11am – Champ the mascot leads the move
11am-6pm – Move patients

Statistics – The numbers:
• 206 inpatient beds 8 floors + basement = 616,785 square feet
• Patient rooms on the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th floors
• All Private rooms -319 square feet each. Currently semi private rooms cause problems boys/girls age incompatibilities.
• 17 elevators including special supply and service areas elevators
• Emergency Department is larger than the current one.
• The quantity of cable lines used would reach from Nashville to D.C.
• The hospital is equipped for 12 operating rooms, currently will staff 10 and eventually have 16 Operating rooms.

The 4th floor bridge will be used only for staff and patient transport back and forth.

Only the inpatient hospital portion is opening initially. Outpatient Clinics will hopefully open in Oct 2004.

Floor Themes – all animals and plants – themes help individuals know where they are, or need to be.

A lot of thought was given to light and sound. Lots of natural light.

Family support rooms – for quiet times.

Medical tubing/intervenous lines/monitor lines are housed in cabinets and come down to bed, so it is not so intimidating to children and parents.

Myths:
VCH is freestanding and independent – no, we share one provider number and we are one medical center

VCH is a level I trauma center – Although a helipad is expected, VUH provides trauma services for pediatric patients and older emergency pts.

VCH is not opening any more med/surg beds so we won’t have enough room. Actually, VCH is opening more beds and will manage patient flow according to procedure.

Family Centered Care
One Team
Continuous improvement
Unique environment
Service Excellence

Theme – Getting Children Well on their way.

When can we come to visit ? State inspectors still here but nothing significant. Once we have occupancy, we can give tours.

A council representative made the comment that attention to parents is greatly appreciated.

Food options:
Hospital cafeteria, Suzy’s and Subway open the day the hospital opens.
Pizza Bell and Taco Bell are expected to open shortly afterward.
Ice cream or yogurt shop by March.

Funding for VCH is comprised of: 1/3 from existing funds, 1/3 bond issues, 1/3 philanthropy. The outpatient tower is pending completion because the philanthropy is not available right now to develop the project.

Bill Heard has supplied a van to shuttle folks from MCE & MAB to VCH

Old Business - none

New Business - none

Most committees have not convened recently

Employee Assistance – meets every Monday to review applications.
32 families signed up for holiday hardship assistance. Adopt a family project. Great team building for a dept to do, per Janet Staley

Jim Shmerling – commented about Janet’s great presentation to the Medical Center Board. The council is well represented by Janet !

Joey Qualls is leaving Vanderbilt. We will function without a 2nd VP since tailgate facilitating is over for this year and no rules in the bylaws address replacing the 2nd VP.

The meeting was adjourned at 3pm.

Next Meeting will be January 21, 2004 – Chancellor Gordon Gee will make a presentation to the council.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Campbell
Substitute Secretary