The SMCSR MD Dispatch

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October 19, 2009 Edition

The Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa Online Physician News Blog

SMCSR Average Daily Census - Month To Date: 59.0 - Year To Date: 61.3

Welcome!

Welcome to the inaugural edition of MD Dispatch, the SMCSR physicians' news blog. Issue updates include practice alerts, new Medical Staff appointments, policy changes, patient safety and quality, best practices, Sutter Health and regional news. We're excited about "going green" with this online communiqué. If you haven't done so already, please provide your e-mail address for future issue notifications. Your feedback is encouraged and appreciated.
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New CAO

Mike Purvis was named Chief Administrative Officer at SMCSR, effective September 28. Mike has more than 20 years experience leading both urban and rural non-profit hospitals. His expertise includes patient safety and quality service initiatives, cultivation of strong physician relationships, financial performance improvement, community relations, and strategic planning for expanding market share. Feel free to make an introduction by dropping by Mike's office or give him a call at 576-4203 (his e-mail address is PurvisML@sutterhealth.org).

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Election of Officers

The Nominating Committee submitted the following slate of candidates. Active Medical Staff members may vote for one candidate for Chief of Staff-Elect and two candidates for Member-at-Large. Ballots will be mailed to Active Medical Staff members.

Chief of Staff-Elect: D. Gregory Hopkins, M.D.
Member-at-Large: Patrick S. Coleman, M.D. and David J. Soto, M.D.

Proposed Bylaws Revisions

Revisions are proposed in compliance with accreditation standards of The Joint Commission and SB 1325. In addition, new categories for Telemedicine and Office Based Staff have been developed. The Office Based category is for members who wish to maintain membership, but do not meet the requirements for maintaining clinical privileges. With the addition of Hospitalist Services, many physicians have converted to outpatient-based practices and referral of inpatients to Hospitalists. Ballots will be mailed to Active Medical Staff members. View the proposed Bylaws Revisions.

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Satisfaction Survey In Progress

SMCSR physicans are encouraged to participate in the 2009 Press Ganey Medical Staff Satisfaction Survey ending November 12. Surveys and PIN numbers were mailed last month. Your candid feedback is important - individual response(s) remain anonymous. Only aggregate data will be presented. For additional information contact Sylvia Duarte at DuarteS2@sutterhealth.org.

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RRMG Now Providing DIS

Redwood Regional Medical Group (RRMG) is our new Radiology Service Provider. The group is well known in Sonoma County for excellent patient care and quality services. Dr. Scott Booth is the on site Medical Director and Radiation Safety Officer. Films are also read locally by RRMG during the day and a night time tele-radiology service offers preliminary reads. All final reads are completed by RRMG physicians. Reports continue to be available through the PACS system. The Radiologist on site may be reached at 576-4490.
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Medical Staff Conduct

The Joint Commission issued a Sentinel Event Alert regarding Behaviors That Undermine a Culture of Safety. In response to the alert, our Medical Staff Conduct Policy was revised to ensure optimum patient care by promoting a safe, cooperative and professional health care environment. View revised policy.

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Lab Improvement

The Lab is continuing to address process issues with the outsourcing of Microbiology to Sutter Health Shared Lab. STAT Gram Stains are performed at SMCSR when ordered by the physician. If the physician does not order the specimen to be performed STAT, the specimen is sent to Sutter Shared Lab for processing. Once the specimen has been sent to the Sutter Shared Lab, SMCSR cannot perform a Gram Stain, but will phone the Sutter Shared Lab to change the specimen priority to STAT, if physician requests.
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Stroke Program

The telemedicine robot connecting SMCSR to the CPMC Neurologists has been installed in the Emergency Department (ED). Physicians, pharmacists and nursing staff have attended a class by Dr. Tong, CPMC Vascular Neurologist. Policy/procedures and physician order sets for the care and treatment of Ischemic CVA patients are in place. For further information, contact Misi Nagle at NagleM@sutterhealth.org.

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Preventing UTI

Studies have shown that 40% of all Hospital Acquired Infections are Urinary Tract Infections. At least 80% of these are caused by indwelling urethral catheters. SMCSR has developed an improved process to help prevent unncessary urinary catheterization and reduce hospital UTI, including the purchase of a new bladder scanner. See the updated SMCSR UTI prevention tips.

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Culture of Safety

A Culture of Safety survey was conducted in September and the results analyzed. Opportunity for improvement was identified with communication during patient transfers, shift changes and exchange of information across hospital units. The staff is being reeducated in the use of SBAR for patient communications. Additionally, observation audits will be performed to assess staff competency and provide further 1:1 education.
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Faxing Medical Records

The sensitive information contained in health records may be transmitted via fax when delivery through the regular mail will not meet the requesters' or senders' needs, such as for patient care or other legitimate urgent need' see HIPAA Tips.

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Save The Date

The Annual Medical Staff Meeting will be held at the Vintners Inn/John Ash & Co. (Santa Rosa) on Wednesday, December 9 at 6:00 pm. Watch for your personal invitation.
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West Bay Region

Dr. Martin Brotman, President of Sutter Health's West Bay Region has issued a newsletter about regionalization. Topics covered include our guiding principles, regional structure and affiliate snapshots/news. View the inaugural issue of the President's Update Newsletter.

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West Bay CMO Message

Sutter West Bay Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Toni Brayer, shares her specific plans and philosophies. Sutter Health aims to be the preferred place for physicians to treat their patients and for patients to experience the most up-to-date care and service. Read Dr. Brayer's Special Message to Physicians.

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Your Feedback

The MD Dispatch is your online Medical Staff communiqué. Let us know if there is specific information you would like included in future issues. E-mail your suggestions to Sylvia Duarte.

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Robert R. Wright, MD
Chief of Staff

William D. Carroll, MD
Chief of Staff-Elect

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