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Vol. 64, Issue 2
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March/April 2014
At Greenville Health
System (GHS), we
provide the right care
at the right time and in
the right place.
More than 600 GHS “Epic Subject Matter Experts” attended Validation Sessions in March. These employees, identified by their managers as being the most
knowledgeable about workflow in their areas, provide input that ensures the right Epic components are selected to meet GHS needs.
EpiCenter: Why Epic?
“Validation Sessions were
extremely informative and
interactive. It was exciting
to see the possibilities of
Epic EMR as well as the
engagement of staff from
across the hospital system.
I believe this will generate
excitement among staff as
they go back to their areas
and tell others what they
experienced.”
—Rhonda Stubbs, MSN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Medicine Nursing
In March, GHS’ EpiCenter Team released a light-hearted
video to introduce themselves to Epic and Greenville
Health System. In the video, anchor and EpiCenter
Analyst Steven Boos asked a great question about GHS’
decision to go-live on Epic: “Why? Why? WHY?”
Until now, you may have heard some very broad
answers to that question. For example, Epic is a system
that improves patient care by reducing duplication,
streamlining processes and providing more integrated
care. How? What makes Epic the electronic medical
record (EMR) and billing system of choice for GHS?
Here are several key reasons why our leadership has
selected Epic and launched the EpiCenter initiative:
Our Total Health philosophy: GHS delivers
comprehensive coordinated care, which requires that
all providers have access to patient information from
all sites. Epic will enable clinicians to compile and use
patient data in a meaningful way that presents the
patient’s health “story.”
Widely used, proven system: Epic has won numerous
industry awards. It regularly tops the list of EMR systems
in surveys and is used by the Cleveland Clinic, Allina,
Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic and other major health
systems.
Industry best practices: Epic doesn’t re-invent the wheel.
Its “Foundation System” contains flow sheets, order sets
and documentation templates based on lessons learned
from previous healthcare organizations.
As a result, GHS needs less customization—and that
means reduced costs and an accelerated timeline. GHS
also will benefit from Epic’s experience with previous client
implementations.
Quick transformation: Epic is assisting to transform
GHS’ workflow as quickly as possible without jeopardizing
success. Early workflow decisions are made by key users
during Validation Sessions.
The scope and timeline help everyone involved stay actively
engaged. Thus, each phase can be completed in a timely
manner so that GHS can more quickly realize benefits.
Streamlined processes: One system, one login! Epic
encourages reduced duplication of logins, information and
orders. For instance, duplicate orders will decrease because
GHS staff can see the care that a patient received at other
facilities and physicians can confirm which tests and exams
have been ordered.
Feedback: The biggest factor for go-live success is people—
not software. The EpiCenter team engages a wide mix of
people in each phase of Epic implementation. Feedback
from physicians and staff from departments and practice
offices across GHS is vital to the initiative’s success.
Patient access: Epic provides many tools that encourage
patient engagement. For instance, MyKiosk streamlines
registration and check-in, while MyChart lets patients
access their accounts online.
For these reasons and more, EpiCenter team members
meant what they said in their introductory video—they
are excited to bring Epic to GHS!
For more information and to watch the video, visit the
EpiCenter website at www.epicenter.ghsnet.ghs.org. Together We Serve • National Healthcare Week
May 11-17 • See back page
L
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Riordan Report
Expectations Exceeded!
In my last report, I discussed how important the annual
Employee Opinion Survey is to supporting our mission
to improve constantly. Each year, we use your feedback to
increase efficiencies and guide decisions at the system level
and within individual departments. Today, I am pleased to
present some amazing results.
Our annual
survey is one
method we use to
gain your views,
and I appreciate
your candor.
Green Light for People Pillar
This is the second year that we have connected survey
participation to our People Pillar. Workforce commitment
remains vital to GHS and continues to be closely monitored.
Engaging as many employees as possible, however, provides
a broader spectrum of ideas.
Our 2014 goal was 87% participation by GHS employees,
residents and closely aligned physicians. I am pleased
to announce that we exceeded this goal with a 90.3%
participation rate! That’s a small percentage increase from
last year; however, 1,294 more employees completed the
survey.
For the second consecutive year, Patewood Memorial
Campus achieved 99% participation. North Greenville
Hospital reached 98% and Greenville Memorial Hospital
89%—record highs for both campuses. This participation
reaffirms my belief that you see value in engaging in the
survey process.
A Committed Workforce
Workforce Commitment is an area in which I am very
interested. Last year, I was impressed when we reached the
81st percentile of the National Health Care Average. This
year, I am blown away—we placed in the 91st percentile, the
second-highest ranking since we began using this system.
To put it in perspective, referencing a database of more
than 1.5 million other healthcare workers nationwide, GHS
employees are more highly committed than nine of every
10 hospitals/health system workers taking this survey.
Quick Takes
While commitment is not connected directly to our Pillar
Goals, GHS initiatives will not succeed without your
support. Transforming health care through partnerships,
quality improvements, Total Health initiatives and system
integration requires a committed workforce. These results
tell me that we will be successful in achieving our vision to
transform health care.
Lots More Information
The Employee Opinion Survey provides many data
resources. Digging into the data reveals your perspective
on a wide range of topics and issues—both strengths and
opportunities for improvement.
Senior management will review information at the system
level; over the coming weeks, you’ll have a chance to do
the same with your department-specific data. These results
can help all of us develop action plans to address selected
issues identified through the survey.
Your feedback is valuable and is considered as decisions
are made, even when final decisions might be difficult.
Our values statement reads Together we serve with
integrity, respect, trust and openness. I see your decision to
share your thoughts through this survey as one way you’ve
chosen to connect to the values that we embrace.
This issue of The View includes several articles about
quality and excellence. Without your feedback, many of
these achievements and initiatives would not have been
successful. Our annual survey is one method we use to
gain your views, and I appreciate your candor. Thank you!
Michael C. Riordan
President and CEO
Leadership Profile
Jeffrey Gerac, MD, UMG Inpatient Med-Peds, Lead Physician, EpiCenter
Janet Thompson, Director, EpiCenter
Jeffrey Gerac, MD
Hometown:
Lafayette, La.
How he unwinds:
family time,
hiking and camping
Janet Thompson
Hometown:
Simpsonville, S.C.
Little-known fact:
One of eight children
How she unwinds:
gardening and hiking
Janet Thompson and Dr. Jeff Gerac bring a wealth of
experience to their respective roles as director and
lead physician for the EpiCenter initiative. Thompson’s
background includes an integration initiative for a
large health system in California. At GHS, she has led
service line support and served as liaison in initiating
affiliations with regional hospitals, playing a major role in
incorporating Laurens County Medical Campus into
the system.
As an Internal Medicine-Pediatrics specialist, Dr. Gerac
works for both the Pediatrics and Medicine departments
as a hospitalist serving Greenville and Greer Memorial
hospitals. He was lead physician for Soarian CPOE
(computerized physician order entry). While CPOE
added functionality, the system remained fragmented,
contributing to duplicated work, tests and—most
important—safety issues for patients. “Transitioning GHS
to a solid, integrated system has become a major priority
for me,” he said.
Q. What has impressed you about feedback from
physicians and staff so far regarding this initiative?
Dr. Gerac: The incredible amount of involvement and
interest; more than 600 staff and dozens of doctors have
participated. Everyone was very complimentary of the
Epic team’s preparation, knowledge and professionalism.
Thompson: The appreciation expressed from physicians
and clinicians on being part of establishing the foundation
of their EMR has been impressive. The feedback from
those who participated in the first round of Validation
Sessions has been very positive.
Q. What has impressed you about the GHS staff who
have taken on extra responsibilities to take part in
EpiCenter?
Dr. Gerac: The excitement and eagerness to make this
change is energizing. There is a broad range of experience
and expertise from various hospital systems, departments
and backgrounds.
Thompson: Many projects compete for people’s time and
attention. The number of doctors, executives, and staff
who have taken the time out of their busy schedules and
the level of excitement has been impressive.
Q. Why is EpiCenter important to you?
Dr. Gerac: Our first and foremost goal is to improve
patient safety. A single, integrated system used by all
clinicians caring for the patient should translate into
improved efficiency and satisfaction for our clinicians,
cost savings for GHS, and improved quality and
outcomes for our patients.
Thompson: EpiCenter will help GHS transform the health
care it delivers to the community. It will give GHS the
tools we need to develop a more aligned partnership with
our patients.
L eadi n gthe
W a y
GHS Launches Nation’s First Rare Tumor Center
In March, GHS announced the opening of a Rare Tumor
Center—the nation’s first center dedicated exclusively
to treating and researching rare cancers. This ambitious
initiative reflects GHS’ commitment to collaboration,
research and academic medicine.
The center is expected to attract patients from throughout
the U.S. and already has sparked a $1 million gift and
a strategic alliance with national molecular-medicine
leader Foundation Medicine. Molecular profiling allows
physicians to more precisely target cancer based on each
cancer’s unique genomic signature and is at the leading
edge of personalized medicine.
The $1 million gift
by Jerry and Harriet
Dempsey marks the
largest individual gift
ever given to the GHS
Cancer Institute.
Dempsey, former
CEO and president of
several Fortune 500
companies, also is
the former chairman
of the GHS Board of
Trustees.
Jerry and Harriet Dempsey
Rare tumors affect one in five patients with cancer. These
patients typically do not have standardized treatments
because their individual cancers, which can affect as few as
150 people, are poorly understood.
“Patients with rare cancers
are at a tremendous
disadvantage,” said W. Jeffery
Edenfield, MD, medical
director of GHS’ Institute
for Translational Oncology
Research (ITOR) and the
catalyst behind the new center.
“Clinical trials aren’t routinely
available for these types of
cancer, and the treatments are
W. Jeffery Edenfield, MD
often based on observational
use of medications, which are less reliable than evidencebased approaches,” explained Dr. Edenfield.
Companies such as Foundation Medicine and Selah
Genomics, which operates the Selah Clinical Genomics
Center at ITOR, draw on the power of molecular
and genomics medicine to translate revolutionary
breakthroughs in cancer research into routine clinical
care—and clues that could ultimately speed life-extending
answers for patients. GHS’ strategic alliance with these
companies will result in improved guidelines for the
treatment of rare tumors along with a growing cancer
databank that could be used by researchers worldwide.
GHS, like most nationally ranked cancer programs, has
clinical research studies for the nation’s most common
malignancies such as cancers of the breast, lung, colon and
prostate. What’s been missing nationally is a program that
offers patients a standardized approach for uncommon
tumors that have no evidence-based data for management
and no clinical trials to address their treatment.
“We’re creating something in
Greenville that exists only as
pieces elsewhere,” noted Larry
Gluck, MD, medical director
of the GHS Cancer Institute.
“What our teams of physicians
and scientists learn here not
only will impact rare tumor
research but also may
provide answers to other
cancer issues.”
ITOR
GHS’ Institute for Translational
Oncology Research focuses
on translational research
and personalized medicine.
ITOR works with industry and
academic partners to bring
molecular diagnostics and
new medication trials to the
Upstate.
50+ Pharmaceutical and
biotechnology partners
Larry Gluck, MD
“We’re creating something in Greenville that
exists only as pieces elsewhere.”
30 Cancer trials at any given
time in ITOR’s Phase 1 Clinical
Research Unit
16 First-in-human trials
— Larry Gluck, MD,
medical director, GHS Cancer Institute
“I’ve seen up close the transformative work
being done by GHS and absolutely believe
this investment will have great returns to our
community.”
Rare tumors
affect 20 percent
of patients with
cancer.
— Jerry Dempsey, former president,
GHS Board of Trustees, and benefactor of the
Rare Tumor Center
Quality Circle
Medication Error & Patient Safety
The Institute of Medicine estimates that one medication
error per hospitalized patient occurs each day in the
U.S.; about 1.5 million preventable adverse drug events
occur every year; and 7,000 deaths occur annually from
medication error.
Medication error can occur anywhere within the
healthcare system: hospitals, clinics, surgery centers,
doctors’ offices, nursing homes, pharmacies and
patients’ homes. The best way to prevent errors is to give
medication administration your complete attention and
follow the Six Rights:
1. Right individual
2. Right medication
3. Right dose
4. Right time
5. Right route
6. Right documentation
Everyone involved
in medication use is
responsible to work
as a team to minimize
patient harm from
adverse drug events.
The GHS Medication
Performance
Improvement (PI) Team
includes physicians,
nurses, pharmacists,
and staff from Quality
Management and
Project Management. Their first task is to evaluate current
systems or reports to monitor the quality and safety of
GHS’ medication administration process. Other tasks
include developing a system-wide communication plan for
sharing positive results and lessons learned.
Direct
comments or
concerns for the
Medication PI
Team to Lynn
Ethridge at
455-7040 or
Michelle Julian
at 455-7051.
S E R V I C E
E X C E L L E N C E
GHS’ Commitment to Excellence uses evidencebased leadership practices to help reach our
goals for continued success. Each star in
the logo represents a pillar—People,
Service, Quality, Growth, Finance or
Academics. Pillars help us think about
and organize the work we do at GHS.
Commitment to Excellence builds on our
strong foundation of service excellence
and patient- and family-centered care.
“Hardwiring” these practices throughout our
team will make GHS an even better place to work,
practice medicine and receive care.
Stellar Service
March Stellar Stars
Kris Barends, NP, Center for Pediatric Medicine,
exemplifies the COMPASSION Standard “Offer support
and demonstrate teamwork.” Recently, Barends was asked
to check in on a family. She saw that the baby was in
crisis, quickly stabilized him, called Pediatric ICU and
arranged for emergency transport. She remained calm and
supportive, reassuring the infant’s parent and helping the
care team.
Debbie Ingram, RN, Pediatric Palliative Care/NICU,
comforted the mother of a dying infant. Ingram took time
to bathe the child before the family arrived to hold him.
The mother knew that her infant was very sick, but having
him cleaned before the family came in made him seem
“more like a normal baby.” The family also commented on
Ingram’s compassion when the infant died.
Sterling Simpson, MD, Pediatric Pulmonology, made a
house call during the holidays to assist a dying patient.
Dr. Simpson knew the patient wanted to die at home. He
also knew that transport to a hospital would cause much
discomfort. He drove to the patient’s home, reassured the
family about the plan of care and made sure the patient
was as comfortable as possible.
April Stellar Stars
Katheryn Isham, MD, Resident III/OB/GYN,
was recognized by a former student intern for her
thoroughness. Dr. Isham made sure the intern had
meaningful work and was treated respectfully as a team
member. She also helped her prepare for a medical school
interview. The student wrote that Dr. Isham’s coaching
played a big role in the interview’s success; the student has
since been accepted to medical school.
Benson “Ben” Quattlebaum, RN, CVICU/GMH, was
recognized for demonstrating all 10 GHS COMPASSION
Standards. A patient’s spouse described how Quattlebaum
exemplified each standard. She concluded with these
words: “We want him to be recognized as an employee
representing GHS and the nursing profession who exceeds
the COMPASSION Standards of Behavior!”
Jason Strickland, Maintenance Mechanic/Community
Facilities Engineering, was commended by an elderly man
worried that a flat tire would make him late to a doctor’s
appointment. Strickland saw the man was anxious and
calmly said, “Let me take care of that for you,” and changed
the tire. Later that day, the man called GHS Human
Resources to recognize Strickland for his compassion.
Volunteers of the Month
Martha Beth Sturgis is is the
Volunteer of the Month for March.
Sturgis serves in the ICU Waiting
Room at Greenville Memorial
Hospital where she graciously assists
families, visitors and staff. A GHS
volunteer since 1977, she has served
as president of the GMMC Auxiliary
and chair of the Auxiliary Executive Committee. Previous
recognitions include Volunteer of the Month and the
Malcolm P. Niven Award for outstanding service.
Donna Foster is the Volunteer of the
Month for April. Three mornings
each week she brings sunshine to
The Cottages at Brushy Creek with
her beautiful smile, enthusiasm
and willingness to help others. She
performs clerical duties, greets and
directs visitors and family members,
and transports residents to activities. The gifts of her love
and talent make a big difference at The Cottages.
Standard of the Month
Lead by Example: Maintain Clean
and Quiet Surroundings
GHS’ Environmental Services staff has a huge
responsibility in maintaining our facilities. They represent
GHS every day in all of our facilities. Their work is
integral to the quality and safety of patient care.
This month’s standard, maintain clean and quiet
surroundings, is about more than keeping our facilities
clean, pointed out Warren Huff, manager for EVS at
Greenville Memorial Hospital. “It’s how each of us
demonstrates compassion in caring for the patients we
serve and taking ownership in the place where we work,”
he said.
Huff never underestimates the impact of leading by
example. Managers play an important role, he added,
noting that well-kept units often reflect a manager’s
personal commitment to this standard.
You don’t have to be a manager to be a leader. If you see
trash on the floor, pick it up. If you see a spill, clean it—or
ask someone to notify housekeeping. Spills are fall risks.
No matter how you take responsibility, whether grabbing
a paper towel or asking for help, you reflect GHS’
commitment to safety.
“When people see you pick up trash or wipe around the
sink in the restroom after washing your hands, they are
likely to follow suit,” he stated.
Huff frequently reminds his staff that a quiet environment
is necessary for healing. Yet, it is common to receive
patient satisfaction survey comments about hallway noise
disturbing patients’ rest. EVS and Nursing work together
to lower noise levels, especially at night.
Practicing cleanliness, keeping our voices low and
limiting personal conversations, no matter where we
work, demonstrate compassion and respect for those
around us.
S E R V I C E
E X C E L L E N C E
Kudos
Debbie Pizzeck, RN, Vascular Access Team/GMH,
received the DAISY award for her superior skill and
exceptional bedside manner, both of which calm and
reassure patients. Pizzeck constantly seeks to improve
processes and, ultimately, patient care. She takes problems
and makes them teaching moments for preventing future
occurrences.
Kerry McKenzie, coordinator,
Obesity Prevention/Children’s
Advocacy, was a presenter at the
YMCA 2013 national conference.
Her presentation, “Got Skills?
Quantity and Quality Physical
Activity in Early Childhood,”
supported the inclusion of teaching
and practicing fundamental
motor skills in reducing obesity,
specifically in childcare centers
in underserved communities.
Children’s Advocacy works with area elementary schools
in promoting healthy eating and exercise through its
Choosy Rx program.
Hillcrest Memorial Hospital (HMH) has been granted
renewal of accreditation by the American Society for
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Bariatric
Surgery Center of Excellence program.
Christine Marsh, Marshall I. Pickens Hospital; Julie
Ogorzalek, GMMC/Administration, and Cheryl Duerr,
GMH/Radiology, have earned Certified Administrative
Professional (CAP) status. Awarded by the International
Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP),
this designation is achieved by completing educational
requirements and passing a comprehensive exam. All
three are members of the GHS IAAP chapter, participate
in community service and have decades of experience as
administrative professionals. For more information on
the GHS chapter or CAP, email Linda Baumbach, CAP, at
[email protected].
Awarded for three years, this recognition acknowledges
commitment to providing quality improvement and
patient safety for those undergoing bariatric surgery. As an
accredited center of excellence, HMH demonstrates that
it meets the needs of these patients by providing multidisciplinary, high-quality, patient-centered care.
Creighton Likes III, MD,
MS, UMG Reproductive
Endocrinology, received
Honorable Mention in Studer
Fire Starter Publishing’s “Hero
in a White Coat Contest.”
Recipients are nominated
by patients and families in
appreciation for the vital role
a physician played in
their care.
Dr. Likes was nominated by a patient who is a GHS
employee. Her nomination emphasized his calm,
thorough explanation of her care and attentiveness to her
comfort from diagnosis through recovery.
(l-r) Christine Marsh, Julie Ogorzalek and Cheryl Duerr.
She also described his compassion when their paths
crossed after her return to work: “Each time he stopped
to talk with me, he touched me on the shoulder and
asked how I was feeling. More important, he embraced
the healing power of appropriate touch.” She added, “He
inspired me to live out the GHS COMPASSION Standards
that should be representative of all medical professionals.”
Performance Improvement Spring Training
In March and April 2013, 19 staff from across the system completed four days
of performance improvement training in Change Acceleration Process and
Work-Out methodologies.
These participants then applied the training to projects that improved
processes ranging from communication during handoffs between the GMH
Emergency Trauma Center and inpatient units, census management at
GMH, patient fall rates, pressure ulcer rates, appropriate use of the GMH
nursery, nursing unit council effectiveness, and RCP outpatient referral and
scheduling.
Front row (l-r): Chris Carino, Nikki Stafford, Jennifer Franklin, Terri Negron, Hope Schofield, Sue Bethel,
Holly Hutchins. Back row (l-r): Marcia Safran, Anita DeWeese, Anne Greer, Jan Smith, Kaley Steele,
Kristen Hauck and Jeff Garris, MD.
Far right: Greg Rusnak, executive vice president and chief operating officer, was on hand to congratulate
the class. Not pictured: Lorri Wade, Angie Durham, Lynn Collins, Cynthia Ellenburg and Jamey Hill.
Kerry McKenzie (right) from GHS
Children’s Advocacy demonstrates the
“fun” in teaching fundamental motor skills
at the YMCA 2013 national conference.
A R O U N D
T H E
S Y S T E M
Neither Sleet Nor Snow …
Inclement weather couldn’t keep GHS employees from
providing excellent care during some of winter 2014’s
worst days:
Twenty-five GHS employees
representing Security, Facilities
and Nursing volunteered
during a drive-through flu shot
clinic at Patewood Memorial
Hospital. Despite sub-freezing
temperatures, 125 people
received vaccinations.
During the February snowstorm, many employees worked
extra shifts or spent two nights in makeshift dorms.
NGH staff (l-r) Kati Atkins, RN; Lindsay Trotter, phlebotomist; Vanessa
Baker, RRT; and Holly Trotter, PCT, came prepared to sleep over—with
matching nightgowns, no less! Patients enjoyed their fun spirit.
Serving the Community
Alexander Fernandez, admission counselor, Patient
Access/GMH, was among GHS Emergency Trauma
Center staff on hand during
last year’s “Matricula
Consular,” a community
event assisting members of
the Latino community. GHS
was presenting sponsor for
Health Zone, which provided
education and information on
health services in the Upstate.
Winning Big for Kidney Foundation
Four GHS physicians made a double impact for the
National Kidney Foundation (NKF). As Team Thornblade,
they won the South Carolina NKF Golf Classic last fall.
Their scores qualified them to compete at the NKF’s Golf
Classic finals in Pebble Beach, California, where they won
their division! The NKF Golf Classic is considered the
premier amateur golf charity event.
GMH Central Sterile staff members
maintain a cheerful sense of humor.
Good Catch Awards
Congratulations to the following for receiving the Good
Catch Award for First Quarter 2014. The Good Catch
Program recognizes individuals and teams who report
near misses or events that could potentially cause a
patient harm. To nominate a Good Catch or for more
information, contact Kristen Hauck, MSN, RN, AHAPSLF, Risk Manager, at 455-4639 or [email protected].
Respiratory Care Staff and Drs. Catherine Chang,
Armin Meyer and L. James Cochrane Jr./GMH
Along with Drs. Chang, Meyer and Cochrane,
respiratory therapists noted over several weeks that a new
endotracheal (breathing) tube tended to kink after only a
few days, resulting in patients being under-ventilated.
The View’s New Home
at ghs.org
You now can access The View
at ghs.org from the Employee
Access Page.
• Go to www.ghs.org.
• Click Employee Access in
the top right corner of the
home page
• Click the link to The View.
The View also is available
online on GHSnet at http://
ghsnet.ghs.org/View/
TheView-Current.pdf.
The View continues to be
mailed to homes of employees
who have not opted out of
receiving home mailing on
eNet. To opt out, go to eNet:
1.Click Home Mailing Options
in the left column
2. Select No in the box next
to The View Employee
Newsletter
3. Click Update
The Employee Access page
on ghs.org is your portal to
eNet, Microsoft Outlook
Web Exchange and other
applications.
After reviewing the staff ’s report on these events,
Respiratory Care Services managers contacted the
tube’s manufacturer. An inquiry revealed that changes
made during production had weakened the tubing. The
manufacturer issued a national recall for the product. As
a result, this team’s efforts prevented harm to patients at
GHS and in hospitals nationwide.
Congratulations to Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas orthopaedists
(l-r) Paul Siffri, Doug Wyland, Keith Lonergan and W. Franklin Sease Jr.!
March for Babies Helps GHS Families
The Greenville Chapter March of Dimes’ annual March for
Babies takes place April 26. Contributions go to support
families right here in Greenville. GHS employee Lynn
(Joyce) Davis, who works at Roger C. Peace Hospital,
knows firsthand how much that support means.
In 2011, her twin grandsons, Kobe and Kaeleb Davis, were
born 10 weeks early. At about 3 lbs. each, both needed
resuscitation following their transfer to GHS’ Bryan NICU.
“They were fighters,” said Lynn of the twins, who went
home eight weeks after their birth.
Cassandra Vaughn, Materials Services/NGH
While restocking an Omnicell cabinet, Vaughn noticed
an extra central line tray in the cabinet. Realizing that
meant a patient was charged for a tray that wasn’t used,
she notified her supervisor who then pulled transaction
reports and asked nursing staff to find out which patient’s
account needed to be credited. Vaughn’s proactive
measures prevented a $584 billing error.
Beverly Harris, GHS Outpatient Radiology
Following a non-urgent Saturday scan, Harris reviewed
a patient’s images before discharge and saw an area that
showed possible complications from another disease
process. Typically, Saturday scans are not reviewed until
the following Monday, but Harris called the radiologist
on-call and asked him to review the scan that day.
The radiologist interpreted the images and notified the
referring physician so that the patient could receive
appropriate and timely treatment. Harris is congratulated
for recognizing the pathology and taking initiative to
follow through.
“We are grateful to the GHS NICU staff for their excellent
care and also for the educational tools that helped us take
care of our little ones,” wrote Lynn (pictured above).
But their fight wasn’t over yet. Both had tiny brain bleeds
that developed into periventricular leukomalacia, a type
of brain injury. As a result, Kobe developed cerebal palsy.
Both require ongoing
physical, speech and
occupational therapy.
Today, Kobe and Kaeleb
are active 2-year-olds,
and the Davis clan is the
Ambassador Family for
the Greenville Chapter
March of Dimes’ March for Babies. Support them at
http://www.marchforbabies.org/Jocelyn49. See back page
for more information.
A R O U N D
T H E
S Y S T E M
Reflections of Excellence
Unit Meetings Focus on Quality
Nursing units at GHS are incorporating an additional approach to improve
quality efforts across the continuum—Unit-specific Quality Circle meetings now
occur quarterly. A core group including the unit director, nurse manager, CNS/
CNE and staff nurse unit council chairperson meet with a risk manager, clinical
researcher, quality analyst, infection preventionist and organizational coach.
The group reviews unit quality data and then analyzes contributing factors for
metrics not meeting benchmarks. Members work together to modify/amend
quality plans and align system resources. These plans also incorporate physician
engagement.
This approach has resulted in upward trending in unit/hospital quality
metrics, enhanced engagement of unit staff and building of relationships for
resources and support.
During this fiscal year, 70+ meetings already have taken place with affirmative
feedback about working collaboratively. We are especially pleased to have the
staff RN unit council chairperson’s input at the meetings supporting quality at
the bedside.
Sue Bethel, MSN, RN, manager of Clinical Research, and Jan Smith, MSN, RN, Professional Practice coordinator, contributed this article.
March Service Anniversaries
50 Years
Joyce Baldwin
40 Years
Carrie Lewis
35 Years
Vanessa Fisher-Golden
Tamala Gilstrap
Eleanor Johnson
Vera Singleton
Cecelia Taylor
Joyce White
30 Years
Denise Campbell
Diane Dice
Sharon Ellis
Mary Finley
Wanda Foster
Cynthia Fulbright
Teresa Powell
Anita Sledge
Cathy White
25 Years
Tina Fowler
Allison Hiott
Margaret Jewell
Catherine Osika-
Landreth
20 Years
Robin Bell
Lori Godbee
Donna Lee
Lisa Burton
Julie Camp
Nancy Choi
Jodi Claypool
Crystal Defoe
Nekeisha Dial
Patricia Dillard
Pamela Dillashaw
Gail Durham
Nigel Estrellado
Juan Fernandez
Patricia Fuller
Concetta Gardziola
Rita Gonzales
Vincent Green
Orlando Ibanez
Sheryl Irby
Stacey Jewell
Joyce Kay
Bambi Lark
Karlie Lee
Michael Lollis-Sheriff
Christine Marsh
John McBurney
Tammy Morse
Kimberly Moyer
Penny Newton
Huong-Thuy Nguyen
Sherry Nolte
Margaret O’Harra
Jennifer Ohly
Ricardo Pedrotti
Annette Penland
Amy Perry
Margaret Phillips
Jennifer Raltz
Samantha Rampey
Kathryn Riley
Julie Sams
Christine Scharf
Adam Schendel
Tracy Sherman
Lisa Skinner
Amy Snipes
Rut Soto
Erica Thompson
Amy Ward
Kinetra Ware
Ivy Whiting
Lisa Wimpey
Donald Wiper III
Melinda Kasko
Teresa Kinard
Debbie Laird
Deborah Liberty
Elizabeth Lopez
James Mack
Teresa Stancil
Debbie Tilton
Joseph Veal
Laurel Wanner
5 Years
Audra Adams
Renee Alexander
Sherri Berendsen
Runita Boyd
Patricia Brewster
Kelcie Brunson
Krista Callerame
Allison Carman
Jessica Clark
Amanda Clemmons
Joseph Colbert
Diane Coley
Danette Crawford
Lee Dailey
Timothy Dalbey
Shekia Davis
Megan Godfrey
Larry Haney
Joe Holliday
Thomas Jarecky
Brent Johnson
Donna Kelley
Evonia Kennedy
Kristen Lauffer
Colleen Lodato
Colleen McGuire
Rachel Montjoy
Robin O’Connell
Nancy Peed
Sarah Pierce
Julie Pope
Luz Restrepo
John Rhinehart
Tara Ross
Lisa Rowley
Cara Ruffman
Rachel Shah
Takina Sligh
Kesly Soram
Jessica Johnson, UMG/
PBO, for her father,
Jimmy Stovall.
Heather Mayer, LCMH/
Nsg Admin, for her
grandfather, Laverne
Harnist.
Tammy Saucier, HMH/
ETC, for her father.
Tracena Tarrant, PMC/
Rad, for her spouse,
Bennett Tarrant Jr.,
Jan. 12.
15 Years
April Bailey
Patricia Barton
Debra Bishop
Sophia Charles-Irby
Eugene Cox
Deborah Farrell
Linda Irby
Margo Konopacke
Margaret Liebel
Joyce McCall
Taylor Newton
Georgia Oliver
Lisa Pender
Nathaniel Pendergrass
Yvonne Prince
Tonya Robinson
Linda Starkes
Amber Towne
10 Years
Dawn Brenneman
Kristinia Brooks
Grazyna Charowska
Richard Collot
Donna Darnell
Teresa Davis DeWease
Julius Earle
Fances Epperly
James Foster
Carolyn Foster
Rhonda Hardgrave
Elizabeth Henderson
Cassandra Kay
Rebecca King
Matriva Knuckles
Virginia Landreth
Kenneth Lyda
Margie Mayes
Nate Normand
Thomas Oliver
Bhavini Patel
Karla Payne
Angela Rogers
Linda Rusonis
Keisha Stewart
Nancy Taylor
15 Years
Kimberly Amos
Fredericka Babb
Amanda Colquitt
Rebecca Cooper
David Counts
Jayne Crumb
Hope Dendy
Tracy Holloway
Delores Johnson
Jana McAlister
Andrew McDonald
Stephanie O’Dell
Paula Pate
Larry Puls
Rosa Rector
Melissa Saxon
Justine Smith
Robin Steinbrecher
Rodney Tate
Jayne Crumb, Corp/
Fin Cnslng, for her
daughter, Jan. 27.
Family and friends of
Michael Hackman,
NGH/LTACH, on his
death Jan. 18.
5 Years
Mary Adkins
Tina Allen
Kristen Ammay
Ariel Appleby
Taryn Atkins
Vanessa Baker
Mercedes Beauvais
Diane Brink
Jessica Bruce
April Service Anniversaries
45 Years
Jerry Brown
Emma Faye Pruitt
40 Years
Curtis Duckett
Kaye Reynolds
Phyllis Webb
35 Years
Joanne Carlton
30 Years
Cynthia Mace
Wilma Myers
Congratulations
Congratulations to these
employees celebrating
births and marriages:
25 Years
Tammy Belcher
Rhonda Bryant
Paula Ervin
Maxine Garnett
Deborah Gelzleichter
Peggy Hearon
Nancy Ledford
Dava McCarter
Midge Orszak
20 Years
Janet Kuykendall
Delores Mason
Sheila Powell
Sandra Williams
Lorrie Bennefield, Corp/
Rev Cycle Integrity &
Trng, for her father,
Bobby Higgins, Feb. 18.
Kelvin Black, GMH/
Dietary, for his father,
Feb. 14.
Denise Cunningham,
Greer Mem/Recov Rm,
for her father, Morris
Cunningham, Feb. 26.
John Boseman, Clin
Integrat/Call Ctr, for his
father, Jan. 15.
Misty Dillard, GMH/
Nsg Execs, for her
grandfather.
Sheila Bowens, Cancer
Inst-Grove/Lab-Genl,
for her mother-in-law,
Shirley Arnold.
Sharron Dunning, Clin
Integrat/Qual Mgmt,
for her father-in-law,
Feb. 10.
Ashley Inks, UMG/
Endo, for son Liam Ray,
Feb. 4.
Dawn Bryson, Ortho/
Admin & Genl, for her
mother.
Sympathies
Wally Burnett, Corp/
Network Svcs, for his
father-in-law, Thomas
Henderson, Feb. 9.
Cathy Edmisten, Corp/
Amb Fin Apps, for her
father-in-law, Fred
Edmisten, Feb. 28.
Stephanie Arrowood,
UMG/Riverside FPMaxwell Pte and Marty
Arrowood, GMH/OR
Pharm, for daughter
Amelia Grace, Dec. 12.
Kirkland Ahern-Jones,
Corp/Bus Intel, for
daughter Bonner Claire
and son Cole Benjamin,
Feb. 11.
Our deepest sympathies
to these employees on the
death of their loved ones:
Jamie Adair, Corp/PRLCMH, for her sister,
Candace Bates-Quinn,
March 5.
Cynthia Barksdale,
PMC/Central Sterile,
for her brother, Kelvin
Barksdale, Feb. 14.
Linda Baumbach,
GMH/Nsg Execs, for
her mother, Lena Mae
Beard.
Michelle Burroughs,
Cancer Inst-Easley, for
her grandmother.
Alma Robinson, UMG/
Endo, for her sister,
Laverne Fuller, Feb. 21.
Missi Gilbert, GMH/
Med Renal Nsg, for her
mother.
Marie Gray, Corp/
Amy Chandler, GMH/
NICU, for her mother-in- Hlth Info Mgmt, for her
law, Frances Chandler,
father-in-law.
Jan. 16.
Tanya Gray, The
Cottages, for her
Dondra Childs, UMG/
Phys Recruit, for her
father-in-law, Dennis
grandmother, Laura
Gray, Jan. 28.
Boyd, Feb. 19.
10 Years
Renee Bacon
Harold Blanks
Ruth Brown
Sharon Conover
Sandy Dees
Michael Duffey
Anna Fridy
Julie Gentry
Steve Hunt
Tracee Johnson
Randy Harriger, Corp/
System Mat Transport,
for his mother, Bonnie
Johnson, March 10.
Lisa Johnson, Cancer
Inst-Faris for her fatherin-law, Henry Johnson,
Jan. 30.
Louise Kellough, UMG/
Roberta Harriger, SHCC- Phys Recruit, for
her spouse, Richard
Greer, for her motherin-law, Bonnie Johnson, Kellough, Feb. 2.
March 10.
Teresa Kinard, LCMH/
ETC, for her father,
Christine Hartman,
GMH/Surg Pre-Assess, Roosevelt Kinard Sr.,
Jan. 9.
for her mother, Millie
Drennon, Dec. 26.
Luther Langley, PMC/
EVS, for his mother-inHolly Hutchins, Clin
Integrat/Qual Mgmt, for law, Jan. 25.
her mother-in-law.
Jennifer Ledford, Cross
Debra Hyneck, Greer/
Crk/Cardio Diag, for her
father, Donnie Bryant,
Admin, for her father,
Jim Robert Falconer,
March 22.
Jan. 21.
Ethel Logan, GMH/GI
Stacey Jewell, Clin
Lab, for her mother-inIntegrat/Call Ctr, for her law, Janie Mae Logan,
father, Michael Jewell,
Jan. 19.
Jan. 4.
Sharon Lukas, GMH/
Jan Johnson, The
CV & Mon Surg, for her
father, Feb. 15.
Cottages/Vintage Nsg
Svcs, for her mother,
Feb. 28.
April Martin, UMG/
Phys Recruit, for her
father, Carl Bills Sr.,
Feb. 21.
Danny Moranz, PMC/
Anesth, for his father,
Jan. 28.
Sherry Sexton, Greer/
Dietary, for her mother,
Ruth Ellen Thompson,
Dec. 22.
Pam Shelton, PMC/
Pam Page, UMG/Admin, Central Sterile, for her
brother, Kelvin Barksdale,
for her grandfather.
Feb. 14.
Dimple Patel, GMH/Lab,
for her father, Mathurdas Kimberly Sherbert,
Corp/PAS, for her
Patel, Nov. 30.
father-in-law, Norman
Sherbert, Jan. 6.
David Pickett, GMH/
MRI, for his mother,
Deborah Simmons,
Helen Pickett, Jan. 26.
PMC/SHCC, for
her sister.
Ruby Pittman, UMG
Gastro, for her brother,
Barbara Smith, PMH/
Bill Graham, Feb. 17.
EVS, for her brother,
Feb. 2.
Martinez Pizarro,
Upstate Pharm-Greer,
for his stepson, Zekeius Janice Stewart, Corp/
Hlth Info Mgmt, for her
Sullivan, Feb. 17.
mother-in-law, Leila
Kimberly Revis, LMCH/ Stewart.
PAS, for her brother-inlaw, Larry Motte, Jan. 13. Shonda Strickland,
GMH/Vasc Svcs, for
her mother, Lanette
Mandy Rollins, Surg
Strickland, Dec. 22.
Ortho Clinic, for her
father, Larry Rollins.
Terri Tabur, Corp/IS
Project Mgmt, for her
Lisa Rowley, Greer
father-in-law.
Mem/GI Lab, for her
brother, Glen Brown,
Feb. 18.
Phyllis Watson, UMG/
PBO, for her spouse,
Robert Watson, Feb. 13.
Angela Weaver, UMR/
Cross Creek, for her
father-in-law, Gary
Weaver, Jan. 11.
Family and friends
of Joe Williams, Mat
Distrib Ctr, on his death
March 3.
Cindy Youssef, Acad
Devlpmnt, for her
grandmother, Samria
Shnoda, Jan. 18.
Nessim Youssef, GMH/
Pharm, for his motherin-law, Samria Shnoda,
Jan. 18.
Sonia Youssef, GMH/
Lab-Phlebot, for her
mother, Samria Shnoda,
Jan. 18.
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
The
GREENVILLE SC
PERMIT NO. 842
Greenville Health System
701 Grove Road
Greenville, SC 29605-5601
Vol. 64, Issue 2
March/April 2014
To report news, call 455-NEWS
or email [email protected].
Fax: 455-7841
Meredith McGinnis, editor
GHS Creative Services, graphic design
Connect with us. Learn what’s going on at GHS.
facebook.com/greenvillehealthsystem
twitter.com/ghs_org
youtube.com/ghsbroadcast
Please Recycle
© Greenville Health System, April 2014
14-21363929
Upcoming Events
March for Babies
April 26—Greenville
Technical College,
Greenville, 8 a.m.
Register at www.
marchofdimes.com/
southcarolina/events.
Simpsonville Mud Mania (rain or shine)
April 26—Heritage Park, Simpsonville, 8 a.m.
Hillcrest Memorial Hospital (HMH) presents
this family-friendly mud run and obstacle event.
Register at www.ghs.org/mudmania.
Best Chance Network Screening
April 30—HMH. Uninsured women ages 4064 who meet certain income guidelines can
receive free clinical breast exams, pelvic exams,
Pap smears and mammograms. HMH, North
Greenville Hospital and GHS Outpatient
Radiology (formerly Greenville Radiology) are
Best Chance Network sites. Call 656-3076.
National Healthcare Week • May 11-17
Together We Serve
GHS Swamp Rabbit 5K Run/Walk (rain or shine)
May 2—Gateway Park, Travelers Rest, 6:30 p.m.
Register at ghs.org/swamprabbit5K ($6 through
April 24, then $11). Includes T-shirt; go to red
tent for 25 HealthTrack™ credits.
Employee of the Year Announcement
May 12—Skarupa Community Rm., GMH, 2 p.m.
Ice Cream Party
May 13—Ice cream bars and fruit bars at all
campuses from 2:30-4 p.m.
Employees’ Day Meal
May 15—1-3 a.m. (third shift), 11 a.m.-1:30
p.m. (first shift), 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. (second shift).
Current ID badge required.
May 5-16, GHS employees, retirees and
volunteers may join the Life Center® or PATH
with no initiation fee! Call 455-4231. New
members will be eligible to win great prizes! Life
Center new member prize drawings will take
place weekday mornings May 13-19 as follows:
5/13—Garmin Forerunner; 5/14—30-minute
Massage Therapy session; 5/15—Resting
Metabolic Rate & Nutritional Consultation; May
19—Polar Heart Rate Monitor (final drawing).
Save the Date
National Bike Challenge, May 1-Sept. 30
Competitive cyclists and weekend cruisers alike
can join in this fun challenge to promote bike
safety awareness. Watch the WHAG or visit
https://nationalbikechallenge.org.
Aloft, May 23-26
GHS sponsors this annual festival featuring
hot air balloons, national and local bands,
amusement rides and healthy activities for all
ages. Learn more at www.aloft.org.
Sewing Guild Supports
Children’s Hospital
Meals on Wheels Sweethearts
Community Connections
Research Team Awarded
Finalist Status
A Clemson University team made up of
bioengineering and business administration
students—as well as GHS surgical oncologist Brian
McKinley, MD—was awarded finalist status in a
challenge to accelerate commercialization and spur
entrepreneurship. The team created a business
plan for an Institute for Biological Interfaces
of Engineering (IBIOE) invention at Clemson
that provides a new approach to breast tissue
regeneration following breast cancer surgery, which
may change the way doctors treat the disease.
Other team members include Michael Gara,
technology director, Clemson Biomedical
Engineering Innovation Campus at GHS Patewood
Medical Campus, and David Orr, co-founder of
KIYATEC Inc., which has labs within the Institute
for Translational Oncology Research (ITOR)
Clinical Research Unit at the GHS Cancer institute.
The Upstate Chapter of the American Sewing Guild recently held
a fundraiser, with all proceeds ($535) going to Children’s Hospital.
The group also makes child-friendly surgery caps and blankets for
Children’s Hospital.
GHS was well represented at the Meals on Wheels
Sweetheart Ball in February. Several employees
volunteer with Meals on Wheels. Patewood and
Greer Memorial hospitals both have a team that
share a route. Beverly
Haines, president,
Patewood Medical
Campus, serves on the
organization’s board
of directors.
Kerrie Roberson, RN, CNE,
Patewood Memorial Hospital,
and spouse Eric Roberson,
EpiCenter team, enjoy a night
out at the Meals on Wheels
Sweetheart Ball.