Reports from the Task Forces

OPERATIONS/SURGERY

-         OR study completed by CVMC staff and the consultants.

-         The Surgery Committee received a presentation of the study results and have agreed to a June 13, 2005 start date.

OPERATIONS/INTERNAL MEDICINE & FAMILY MEDICINE

-         Discussion was held regarding bed availability.

-         The Committee agreed to begin working with management on this issue.

-         The Committee asked Elvia Foulke and Dr. Baron to begin discussions and work together on this problem.

-         It was noted that much of the actual work on this project would have to wait until after the October JCAHO survey.

OPERATIONS/NURSING

-         Dr. Galleno reported on the results of the employee satisfaction survey.

-         There was an approximate 40% response rate on this survey.

-         There has been an overall improvement in employee satisfaction since the last survey 2 years ago.

-         Dr. Lin reported that his task force is working on new forms, telephone standards and improvements in Meditech to reduce unnecessary or wrong phone calls to doctors.

ORDER SETS

-         Dr. Herrera stated that he and his task force are reviewing order sets for acute MI, community-acquired pneumonia and congestive heart failure.  This will be completed in June, or early July at the latest.

-         The centralized admissions survey has been developed and will be sent out to the Medical Staff shortly.

-         If the surveys return with a majority of the physician responses indicating support for centralized admissions, this Committee will help facilitate and support the change.

FINANCIAL/EDUCATION

-         Dr. Ching reported that the Education Committee continues to incorporate performance improvement and patient safety into their medical education program.

OPEN FORUM

-         A comment was made regarding the oncologists’ reluctance to participate in the Community/Oncology task force because only 2 physicians were selected to organize the project.

-         Drs. Choctaw and Baron have talked with and met with the other oncologists. The Strategic Planning Committee will ensure that the project remains inclusive.

-         The Committee agreed to work collaboratively with the PI staff, nursing and other hospital staff involved in evidence-based medicine.