The Newsletter of Yale-New Haven Hospital

THE
BULLETIN
November 20, 2014 • Volume 37 • No. 21
The Newsletter of Yale-New Haven Hospital
PTO cash-in election deadline is Dec. 12
Considering or planning on cashing in PTO hours? This
fall, you have two options – a special 2014 one-time cashin and the regular cash-in for 2015. Here are important tips
and reminders:
Pledge Today on
Employee Self Service
Campaign Ends on Dec. 5.
•
The deadline for electing either or both cash-in options is Dec. 12, 2014. Under IRS regulations, you
may not change your PTO cash-in election after it
has been made.
•
For this year only, you can elect to participate in a
special 2014 one-time cash-in of PTO hours available in your bank at the time of election, even if you
already elected cash-in for 2014. Be sure to take into
account scheduled or the potential for unscheduled
PTO time off for the remainder of 2014. Monetary
payout of the special one-time cash-in will occur
in the Dec. 31, 2014 paycheck. Accrued but unused
PTO that you do not cash in during 2014 will be carried over to 2015, but can only be used for time off.
•
You can elect to participate in regular cash-in for
2015, meaning you will cash in time in 2015 that you
earn during that same year. You can elect cash-in “on
request” (you elect a specific number of PTO hours
to cash in when you want during 2015, as long as
you have accrued sufficient PTO hours in 2015). Or
you can elect “per pay” cash-in (you elect to cash in
a specific, fixed number of hours in 25 pay periods
during 2015, beginning with the second paycheck on
Jan. 29, 2015).
•
The maximum hours you can cash in differ for the
special 2014 one-time cash-in and the regular 2015
cash-in, although both are based on years of service.
Check the PTO fact sheet on Employee Self Service
(ESS) for your maximum hours.
•
Any PTO elected for cash-in during this election
period – for both the special one-time cash-in and
the regular 2015 cash-in – will be taxed at the IRS
Supplemental Wage Rate in compliance with IRS
rules; all taxes (federal, state, Social Security and
Medicare) on the cash-in will total about 40 percent.
•
Maximum PTO accruals will change to 1x annual
accrual (from 1.5x) as of Jan. 1, 2017, for employees
who have less than 15 years of service or less than
40 days annual accrual as of Dec. 31, 2016. If this
pertains to you and you have a high PTO balance,
consider PTO cash-in as a way to reduce your bank.
As of Jan. 1, 2017, you will lose any PTO accrued
above the 1x maximum level.
•
Employees with 15 or more years of service or at
40 days annual accrual as of Dec. 31, 2016, will be
grandfathered at the 1.5x maximum annual accrual
level. Hospital of Saint Raphael and Grimes Center
employees who joined YNHHS as part of the 2012
acquisition will have their Saint Raphael or Grimes
Center service recognized for this provision.
•
Use the PTO calculator (on ESS, under the Benefits
tab) to project your time-off needs for 2015.
For more information, refer to the home mailing you
received earlier this month, read the PTO fact sheet on ESS
or contact the Benefits Department, 688-2401.
Patient Experience Conference shines light on needs of patients and healthcare providers
It was a year of firsts for the 2014 Patient Experience Conference Oct. 30. Employees shattered attendance records, as a crowd of 1,000 from Yale New Haven
Health System gathered at Webster Bank Arena, Bridgeport, for a day-long focus
on patient-centered care. Also, for the first time in the conference’s 14 years,
teams from YNHHS submitted project abstracts for the poster presentation.
Greeting the audience, Marna Borgstrom, president and CEO of YNHHS,
commented on the wealth of information shared through team projects. “With
the ever-changing healthcare landscape we need strategies that are innovative
and well grounded, that demonstrate both compassionate care and being
patient centered,” Borgstrom said. She encouraged staff to visit the 68 poster
presentations and “prepare to be inspired and energized.”
Abstract topics ranged from discharge phone calls to end-of-life care, quiet
campaigns to communications, patient access to peer recognition. The best practice project from YNHH was awarded to “Securing Patient Valuables;” honorable
mention went to “Opening a New Unit: Transforming the Patient Experience.”
The future is ours to shape
As master of ceremonies, Frank Corvino, Greenwich Hospital president and
CEO, summarized the year’s accomplishments. “High-tech and high-touch” tools
generated oohs and aahs from the audience when shown how technology can
enhance the patient experience through bedside use of tablets, text messaging
services and interactive kiosks.
A panel of healthcare professionals from each delivery network discussed the
challenges they’ve faced as providers and patients. Panelists were Judy Badia,
RN, Greenwich Hospital; Rockman Ferrigno, MD, chairman, Emergency
Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital; Miriam Smith, medical assistant, Northeast
Northeast Medical Group CEO Robert Nordgren, MD, (right) presented awards to YNHH’s
winning teams at the Patient Experience Conference. Best practice went to “Securing Patient
Valuables.” The multi-disciplinary team included staff from Protective Services, Nursing, Patient
Services, Patient Relations, Environmental Services, Patient Transport and Operations Support. They
developed “Pink is Valuable,” a process to eliminate the potential loss of patient valuables. Since
May, the incidence of lost belongings has decreased 56 percent and the expense to replace them has
been cut in half.
Medical Group; and Diane Viveiros, LCSW, Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Headlining the conference were two inspirational speakers, Allison Massari
and Bertice Berry, PhD. Massari recounted her survival after two horrific car
accidents. She credited the seemingly simple acts of kindness that made a
difference in her recovery.
“Sometimes it only takes one person, one moment, one look to change a
Continued on page 3
Caregivers’ celebration highlights hard
work – and some play
YNHH: An excellent place for nurses
The Park Street auditorium was packed for a Nov. 10 celebration to honor patient care associates,
clinical technicians, emergency department technical assistants, medical assistants, technical associates and radiology care assistants. The event included a play in which staff demonstrated the right (and
wrong) ways to handle situations involving patient safety and care quality. Rhonda Lesane (left), clinical
technician, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Raphael Campus, and LaToya Williams (center), clinical
technician, Daily Operations Pool, SRC, attended to “patient” Sandra Howell-Gordon, learning and
development consultant.
The Connecticut Nurses’ Association recently presented YNHH with its Excellence in
the Workplace Award, which recognizes workplaces that promote professional autonomy, control over nursing practice and/or an enhanced work environment for nurses.
Accepting the award Oct. 21 were (l-r): Marin Karsmarski, RN, Danielle Huseman, RN,
Debra Dellamonica, RN, Katrien Derycke-Chapman, RN, Sue Fitzsimons, RN, PhD,
senior vice president, Patient Services, Carol Salerno, RN, Jennifer Schobert, RN, Alethea
Henry, RN, and Cory Kroon, RN.
Great Catch winners help YNHH become a high reliability organization
Congratulations to the August Great Catch winners, who used HRO safety behaviors to protect patients.
Saint Raphael Campus
York Street Campus
Pharmacist Lauren Bendel, PharmD, used validate and verify to check the appropriateness of
an insulin order. The patient had a documented
past medical history of diabetes, but Bendel did
not see insulin on the patient’s home medication
list. She used ARCC (Ask a question; Request a
change; Communicate a concern; use Chain of
command) to raise her concerns with the patient’s
provider, and the situation was safely resolved.
Tracy Fusco, RN, Pediatric Respiratory Care and
Neurosciences (WP 7), practiced a questioning
attitude and paid attention to detail as she was
admitting a patient. After noticing a weight
discrepancy in the patient’s medical record, she
re-weighed the patient and entered the correct
number in Epic. Fusco’s great catch led to changes
in how pediatric patients’ weights are documented
hospital-wide.
Newsbriefs
Tree lightings kick off YNHH holiday season
Hanukkah celebrations begin Dec. 16
The Yale-New Haven Hospital Auxiliary invites employees, patients and the
community to attend the annual Holiday Tree Lightings Wednesday, Dec. 3. Richard
D’Aquila, YNHH president, and Michael Holmes, senior vice president, will each
be joined by a Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital patient for these symbolic
kick-offs of the holiday season. Holmes will host the event from noon - 12:30 pm
in the main lobby of the Saint Raphael Campus; D’Aquila will host the event from
4 - 4:30 pm at the York Street campus in the Hunter Courtyard, corner of York
and Cedar streets. Guests are asked to consider bringing an unwrapped toy for the
Auxiliary’s Toy Closet program.
Spiritual Care invites employees, patients and visitors to attend the Hanukkah
candle lightings at 4:30 pm each day from Tuesday, Dec. 16 through Tuesday,
Dec. 23 in the York Street Atrium and the main entrance lobby at the Saint
Raphael Campus.
Transforming Healthcare Grand Rounds Dec. 9
Employees are invited to Transforming Healthcare Grand Rounds, 5 - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, Dec. 9, Fitkin Auditorium. The speaker is Gary Procop, MD, MS, professor of pathology; chair, Molecular Pathology; section head, Molecular Microbiology;
and director, Parasitology and Mycology Laboratories, Cleveland Clinic. The talk
is part of a series designed to help employees and physicians enhance their clinical
leadership by learning from national and international experts on improvement
science. Registration is not required. For information, contact Marcia Johnson,
688-8475, or marcia.johnson@ynhh.org.
Updated Code of Conduct available
The Office of Privacy and Corporate Compliance (OPCC) has updated Yale
New Haven Health System’s Code of Conduct brochure, which guides employees
in ethical business behavior and decision-making and includes an overview of
system policies. Topics include: mission, vision and values; why YNHHS has a Code
of Conduct; the Corporate Compliance program; compliance topics, cases and
examples; and how to report an issue. Visit the OPCC on the YNHHS intranet
to download a copy, or call 688-8416.
3-D mammography, breast ultrasound in North Haven
The hospital is now offering 3-D mammography and breast ultrasound at the
North Haven Medical Center, 6 Devine St. Also called breast tomosynthesis, 3-D
mammography can improve detection of abnormalities, reduce false positives and
eliminate the need for return visits for additional images. Breast imaging services
are available 8 am - 5pm Monday through Friday. To schedule an appointment, call
688-1010. A physician requisition form is required and most major insurance plans
are accepted.
n
Hospital marks milestones in Yale-New Haven-Saint Raphael’s integration
As Dannielle Stone, RN, knows, a lot can happen in two
years.
Other recent milestones in the Yale-New Haven-Saint Raphael’s integration include:
A nurse on the Orthopedics unit (EP 7-7) at the York
Street Campus, she also began working on the new Musculoskeletal Center Unit at the Saint Raphael Campus in
February. The unit on Verdi 4 North brought together staff
from the YSC and other units at the SRC.
• Continued integration of both campus’
medical staffs and standardization of policies and procedures to create a single standard of care across both campuses.
• A new nursing shared governance structure, in
which nurses from both campuses serve on hospital-wide councils and cluster councils for different service lines.
“It’s been an amazing transition. Everybody on the SRC
has been so welcoming,” Stone said. “Even though we came
from different places, staff on the new unit have collaborated to bring the values from each campus together.”
• Implementation of Epic and Allscripts bed scheduling.
The Musculoskeletal Center Unit is one example of
integration efforts that began in earnest in 2012, when YaleNew Haven and the Hospital of Saint Raphael officially
became one. While work to bring together the staff, clinical
services, programs and two cultures from Saint Raphael’s
and Yale-New Haven will continue, the hospital has marked
some significant milestones in the past two years.
The new Musculoskeletal Center is part of a dualcampus integration of clinical services that includes the
Oct. 20 opening of the Center for Restorative Care for
Older Adults on Verdi 4 West and the move of elective
spine surgeries to the SRC starting in January 2015.
• The spring merger of both campus’ Volunteer Services departments to create one program with more than 2,400 volunteers.
The new Musculoskeletal Center Unit at the Saint Raphael
Campus brought together staff members from the York
Street Campus and other SRC units, including (l-r): Liza
Future integration plans include providing comprehensive stroke care, gastrointestinal surgeries, heart failure care Iamunno, RN, Brooke Gouveia, RN, and Dannielle Stone,
RN.
and other specialty services at the SRC. Open-heart surgeries have been moved to the York Street Campus, which has
expanded surgical intensive care capacity.
More changes are coming at both campuses, said Michael Holmes, senior
vice president, Operations, and chief integration officer, Saint Raphael Campus.
“One of our goals is to minimize travel between the two campuses for physicians and staff,” Holmes said. “Consolidating specialty care in one location helps
clinicians work more efficiently and is more convenient for patients, who can
receive comprehensive care on a unit specifically designed for their particular
condition.”
• Expansion of off-shift executive (OSE)
coverage, so that for every overnight shift, each campus has an OSE to ensure a
consistent, positive experience for patients
and families, and an off-shift nurse leader
who manages clinical concerns.
• The integration of both campus’ auxiliaries Oct. 1, 2014.
• Representation from both campuses on the Mutual Respect Committee.
• Expansion of successful programs and
activities to both campuses, including open forums; the $2 bill program recognizing exemplary service; the Home Ownership Made Easier program, which helps
employees purchase homes; and WorkSMART, through which employees
submit ideas about how to reduce waste, save money and increase the hospital’s
sustainability efforts.
“We can be proud of these accomplishments and look forward to more,”
Holmes said. “Integration takes time, and a significant effort by many people
throughout the organization, but the rewards are substantial, as we combine the
best of both institutions to create an even stronger hospital.”
Patient experience conference • Continued from page 1
Update on YNHHS/Tenet partnership
In February, Yale New Haven Health System reached a partnership agreement
with Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare that creates a comprehensive care delivery
network in the region. Through the partnership:
Honorable mention went to “Opening a New Unit: Transforming the Patient Experience,” which
looked at building a culture of empathetic, patient-focused care while hardwiring best practices on
the Verdi 4 North Musculoskeletal unit. The team represented Patient Services, Nursing, Patient
Experience, Musculoskeletal Administration, Spine Center and Simulation Center/Institute for
Excellence.
person’s life,” Massari said. “You have an awesome responsibility to help people
here. For the time when no one said thank you, or for the difficult patient or
family that you helped any way, on behalf of all those people I say thank you.”
Berry used humor, often bringing the audience to tears, poking fun at herself
and healthcare. She underscored the need to provide compassionate care to
people when they aren’t at their best and to offer compassionate support to each
other. “You are all healers,” she said. “If you’re at the patient’s bedside, you are
a healer. If you’re working in any capacity that supports the people who are at
the bedside, you’re a healer. You make a difference.”
•
YNHHS and its delivery networks will retain their not-for-profit status
and independence
•
Tenet will bring much-needed capital to community hospitals that have
been looking for corporate support
•
YNHHS will support access to and the delivery of clinical support
services
Backed by the financial and clinical strength of the partnership, Tenet entered into agreements to acquire five hospitals in Connecticut: Waterbury, Saint
Mary’s, Bristol, Manchester Memorial and Rockville General. In Connecticut,
acquisition is subject to regulatory review by the Office of the Attorney General,
which is responsible for reviewing proposed acquisitions of nonprofit hospitals
by for-profit entities. These reviews are also conducted with the Department of
Public Health, Office of Health Care Access (OHCA).
Four of the five hospitals have already submitted certificate of need applications, as required, and two have conducted hearings before state regulators
on the proposed acquisitions, which would require the hospitals to convert to
for-profit organizations. Bristol Hospital will shortly submit its certificate of
need application to the state. Waterbury and Saint Mary’s hospitals are farther along in the process, with a decision from the state about their conversion
anticipated by the end of the year. A separate anti-trust review will take place,
conducted by the Attorney General’s office.
“The regulatory process is very detailed and designed to ensure that the people
of Connecticut have access to quality health care,” said Gayle Capozzalo,
YNHHS executive vice president, strategy and system development. “We
believe that through our partnership with Tenet, we support that mission of
accessible, patient-centered care that is also cost-effective and value-based.”
November 20, 2014 • Volume 37 • No. 21
Newsmakers
Editor: Nancy Martin
Next issues: December 11, January 8
Designer: Tracy Cole
Copy deadlines: November 21, December 26
Contributors: Tracey Hammill, Myra Stanley, Submit story ideas to Nancy Martin,
Cindy von Beren, Cynthia Whitcomb
688-7015, or to nancy.martin@ynhh.org.
Photography: Michelle Caramanello,
Kelly Jensen
Elizabeth Vinson has been promoted to director, Corporate
Contracting, for Yale New Haven Health System. In her new
role, she will be responsible for corporate contracting, project
management and growing network member relationships
(currently Bristol Hospital and Eastern Connecticut Health
Network). She also will manage YNHHS’ responsibilities as a
member of the Northeast Purchasing Coalition. Vinson was
most recently associate director, Corporate Contracting. She
joined YNHHS in 2009 as a senior contract specialist, Corporate Contracting, after
holding management positions with Bristol Consulting Group, The Advisory Board,
Neoforma, Inc., Stamford Health System and Catholic Health Initiatives. A graduate
of the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and management, Vinson received her executive master of business administration from the
University of New Haven.
The Bulletin is available at www.ynhh.org/bulletin.
Honoring those who serve
In Memoriam
s
MaryEllen Smith, RN
MaryEllen Smith, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, York Street Campus,
died on Aug. 19 at the age of 70. She joined the staff of
Yale-New Haven Hospital on Aug. 14, 1989.
On Veterans Day Nov. 11, YNHH held special appreciation events on both campuses to recognize
employees who are past or current active, reserve or guard service members. Among those attending a lunch at the Saint Raphael Campus were (l-r): Mark Burke, Protective Services; Curtis Boyd and
Larry Vanterpool, Environmental Services; Pamela Sledge, Daycare Center; and Johnnie Presswood,
Protective Services.
United Way contributions help many people, many ways
There is still time to contribute to the 2015 United Way campaign at Yale-New
Haven, which ends Dec. 5. YNHH and its employees have been long-time
supporters of United Way, which funds local service agencies and programs to
help children and families throughout the 12-town Greater New Haven region.
YNHH’s Diamond Hare, PCA, Nursing Resource Pool, can vouch first-hand
for how United Way agencies help individuals. Since graduating from high school
four years ago, Hare rarely worked fewer than 90 hours a week in two to three
different part-time jobs. She also volunteered in the hospital’s Daycare Center,
Pediatric Surgery Center and Volunteer Services office.
Her dream was to work as a nurse at YNHH, but despite CNA certification and
classes in phlebotomy, her career goal seemed out of reach.
Last fall Hare connected with a United Way-funded agency called STRIVENew Haven, Inc., a workforce development program which helps Greater New
Haven residents secure employment through preparation, training and placement.
“Over a four-year time frame, I submitted hundreds of applications to Yale-New
Haven,” said Hare. “I applied for just about anything that was open, but the job
market has been really tough. STRIVE helped me open up to be a different
person and taught me important skills. They pushed me to realize what I
wanted to achieve and strive to reach my potential.”
Now Hare and her mother, also a YNHH PCA, are enrolled in nursing school
and on track to graduate from Gateway Community College in 2017.
“Not everyone is as lucky as we are, and it’s our obligation to give back,” Hare
said. “Anyone can be in that predicament, and if we give from our hearts, others
can be connected to the resources they need to improve their circumstances, too.
They’ll know that we care and we are here to help.”
Diamond Hare, third from left, credits United Way for helping her on the way to becoming a
registered nurse at YNHH. To give back, she is working on this year’s YNHH United Way
committee. Other committee members include (l-r): campaign chairpersons Andrew Orefice,
program coordinator, Community and Government Relations; Lynda Pasquarella, executive
secretary, Administration; Anna Navratil, development operations manager, United Way of
Greater New Haven and campaign chair Kathleen Bruenn, manager, Laboratory Medicine.
“This is just one of many success stories that demonstrate how employee
contributions are helping families and strengthening our communities,” said Jay
Morris, vice president and executive director of Yale New Haven Health System’s
Institute for Excellence and administrative chairman of the YNHH United Way
campaign. “Many other successes are possible because of the caring spirit of
YNHH employees.”
For this year’s campaign, employees with new United Way pledges of $100 or
more per year, about $4 per pay period, as well as existing donors who increase
their contributions by $100 or more, will be entered in a drawing for iPad Minis.
“Diamond and her mom are perfect examples of how when employees give,
we help our own staff. It’s one big community,” said Michael Holmes, senior
vice president, Operations, and chief integration officer, also a United Way board
member and administrator for the YNHH campaign. “Please consider contributing to this year’s campaign or increasing your current contribution.”
• Pledge through Employee Self Service. (If you are currently a donor and do
not make any changes, your pledge remains the same.) Donate through pay-
roll deduction or print the form to make a one-time donation. Donations will be effective Jan. 1, 2015.
• Complete a form and pay with cash, check or major credit card at one of the information fairs during the campaign.
Employees may contribute in different ways: