Halloween was a fun day for our patients and volunteers.

NOVEMBER 2011 ISSUE
Jelly Bean, Giggles & Frank dress in clown for a skit
Myla in the Halloween Contest-Skit
Volunteers worked the fishing hole on Halloween day at Children's Hospital.
Bill Thomas & Joy Hardy
Linda Henry & NBC 13’s Bettina Boateng
Halloween was a fun day for our patients and volunteers.
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In the Spotlight!
JOHN OUR HERO!
Hooray for John Millhouse one of our Greeters! John had come in on one of his usual days expecting to help
others with directions, to escort to different locations within the hospital, and just be a smiling face to greet our
patients, families, and visitors as they entered Children’s of Alabama. Little did he know a few hours later he
would be saving a child’s life! John had completed some of his morning duties and was sitting close to the
information desk in the lobby of the hospital. John was watching as this grandfather fell asleep in the lobby.
His grandchild was with him and playing around. The child being a typical toddler decided to go to the stairs
and proceeded to climb. To his horror, the grandfather was asleep and John knew he had to take action fast to
prevent the child from being severely injured. John alerted the Child Life services staff that was standing close
by. They were able to rescue the child and safely return the child to the grandfather.
THANK YOU so much John for your observation and fast actions!!
During October, the I M A (Institute of Management Accountants) sponsored Parents Night Out. Our
own volunteers Judy Davenport, Linda Wolf and Debbie Sartino (Members of IMA) served
the food from O' Charley's to some 65 parents and guests. The Clowns did a super job playing
bingo and awarding prizes furnished by the I M A. Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsor that helped
make this a fun evening for families in Children's Hospital.
2
Children’s Harbor Fundraiser held at the Ball park in Hoover
It was a joy working beside each of you during the Pig Iron. Wanda said it was a huge success for the Harbor again this
year. Words cannot express how wonderful it was for every person that had signed up, to show up enthusiastic and ready
to work. Bob (Mr. Priss), Roger (Mr. Hootie Doodle) and Peggy (Mrs. Whiskers) were such a big help to us clowns.
(what a blessing to have supportive spouses) :0) To each one of you that had a part in this wonderful event, A GREAT
BIG THANKS !!!!
Joyfully, I am
Jelly Bean
Above and Beyond!
Hey all!
Just wanted to brag on our Denise today. She’s GREAT always but today she had an issue that she was
concerned about and followed through to a good ending!
She came downstairs and asked about a patient but it was not listed as she asked. She asked if we had an
interpreter since the couple had special circumstances, one was deaf and the other was hard of hearing, and I
suggested Patient Relations; they did not have anyone available at the time. The last name was the same as a
patient in SCU so she took this couple to the SCU because they told her that they were to wait on the 3rd floor
for their family. But, she was still concerned about it since the names didn’t exactly match. So we agreed to
check One Day. The clerk was very helpful and recognized the patient name, looked it up and saw that the
patient had an appointment in Clinic 3. Denise was so excited to get to go back to the SCU waiting room and
take the couple back downstairs to Clinic 3!
An excellent example of a greeter going above and beyond!
Bonnie
3
Parents Night Out was sponsored by the AT&T Pioneers and the Women of AT&T
during September in the Bradley Center. About 6o guests enjoyed a good meal, played bingo and
won some great prizes furnished by the AT&T volunteers.
On Monday morning you will find Wayne Sheets and Ken Barclay down at Children's Hospital
as volunteers. Wayne is in the PACU/Recovery Room and Ken is Info Desk/Greeter/interviewer
and anything thing else we can ask because they both never turn us down to volunteer. On Tuesday
and Thursday you can find them at the softball fields in Pelham having a lot of fun playing softball
against each other on different teams. The day this picture was taken Wayne and Ken both
where hitting the ball very well and running hard to make it to first base. Wayne is a catcher and Ken was
playing second base in 100 degree heat. Way to go volunteers because you guys are awesome. You
both are winners. Thank you for your hours and years of volunteering at Children's.
Fun Night at Children's Harbor was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Homewood and Mountain Brook during
September. Thanks for another job well done to help some of the children in the hospital & parents
enjoy a meal and have some fun.
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Fun night at Children's Harbor was a little different this month in that we had the sponsor celebrate
a birthday. Greg Graves turned the big (50) and his family surprised him with a party at Children's Harbor
with our own volunteer Kara Graves(daughter) planning the event. Greg called the bingo and danced and
sang in the karaoke line, after everyone sang happy birthday to him several times. The Graves' family
provided pizza & cupcakes to all the hospital families and patients that attended Fun Night at
Children's Harbor. Thanks for a fun night and Happy Birthday to Greg Graves.
Kiwanis club of Homewood and Mountain Brook sponsored Parents Night Out during July to a large
group of parents & guest. Around 80 meals were served. Thanks Kiwanis and volunteers for making it a fun evening for
the parents of Children's Hospital.
Please help to promote this program for Child Life Services.
GET POINTS FOR THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL’S SUNSHINE SCHOOL ON
YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS
Coke is having a Sweeps for a $25,000 grant and the Sunshine School is part of the program.
It’s listed under Children’s Health System.
Those who participate have to go to: www.MyCokeRewards.com
Find Children’s Health System by placing the 35233 zip code and Highlighting CHS.
Click on DONATE
Register with a password
Enter the codes they find on Coke products.
Bottle caps, inside cases of Coke products, or on the bottom of shrink-wrapped water cases.
5
Children’s of Alabama Recognized for Role in Nation-Wide Infection Control Study
Children’s of Alabama has joined with more than 80 other children’s hospitals across the country in a study that
aims to eradicate central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) in hospitalized children.
Some of the sickest children in pediatric hospitals are treated through what are known as central lines or
catheters inserted into the central circulation. They are used to administer medication and draw blood. In Oct.
2006, the National Association of Children’s Hospital and Related Institutions (NACHRI) launched a quality
improvement collaborative which focused on the prevention of CLABSIs in the pediatric intensive care unit
(PICUs). The collaborative developed evidence-based practice related to insertion practices and maintenance
care of central venous lines.
“With initiation of this collaborative the CLABSI rate dropped significantly from 8 per every 1000 central line
days to 1.2 per every 1000 central line days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit,” said Dr. Margaret Winkler,
medical director of Children’s PICU. “Much of the success in the intensive care unit has been a result of the
strong nurse champions who have been responsible for monitoring and educating all of the staff.” Winkler
added that with the success of the PICU collaborative, teams in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and the
Lowder Bone Marrow Transplant Unit joined the collaborative in Oct. of 2009.
Although Children’s already had an excellent infection control record, its three participating units have lowered
central line infection rates by more than 50 percent, with the PICU recently celebrating an infection-free year.
The ultimate goal among all participating centers is to eliminate CLABSI.
CLABSIs are rare, occurring nationally in less than seven per 1,000 central lines, but they can result in serious
complications and even death. NACHRI estimates 355 deaths and more than 2,900 central line infections have
been prevented since the collaboration began six years ago. Fewer infections have resulted in a savings of more
than $100 million.
“What this project is trying to do is unify efforts so that standard procedures are done across the country in an
attempt to decrease the incidence of infection and to raise awareness, decreasing the chance of infection from
handling”, said Dr. Roger Berkow, professor and vice chair of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. “That
doesn’t mean we were doing it poorly before. It means that now we’re paying more attention to it and learning
from other’s experiences, too.”
Lawrence McAndrews, president and CEO of NACHRI, congratulated Children’s on its efforts, saying,
“Together, children’s hospitals have successfully eliminated $100 million in preventable hospital costs at a time
when legislators are making decisions about critical health care funding. Children’s hospitals are demonstrating
that they are leaders in pioneering quality improvement solutions that not only save money, but most
importantly save lives.”
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Hand in Paw:
Pets Connecting with Kids
They sometimes known as ‘man’s best friend,’ but at Children’s the kids love them just as much! We’re talking
about the Hand in Paw Pet Partners program that allows our valued pets to “connect” with our patients. We are
amazed, but definitely not surprised, by the love and patience of the handlers and the love and patience of the
animals.
Here’s a little more information about this fantastic program:
· HIP makes approximately 300 visits to Children’s each year.
· There are 32 Pet Partner Teams (volunteers with pets) and 5 Therapy Visit Assistants (volunteers without pets)
serving at Children’s.
· Units:
The Amelia Center
Lobby/Inpatient Medical
4 Tower
Clinic 8
PT/OT
Dialysis (by request)
MDA Clinic
Early Intervention (occasional/special visits)
Rheumatology Infusion Center (beginning fall 2011)
· In order to become a Hand in Paw Therapy Team, a handler and his/her pet must go through Hand in Paw’s
training process which lasts approximately four months and includes classes, shadow visits, and supervised
visits in the field. Prior to beginning training with Hand in Paw, handlers and their dogs must complete a basic
obedience class, all pets must be at least one-year-old, and handlers must have owned their pets at least six
months. The final step in the initial training is an evaluation of the Therapy Team, which results in a rating of
pass, not appropriate or not ready. Teams that pass are registered with the Delta Society, an organization that
sets national standards for Animal-Assisted Therapy. Teams must follow strict infection control and risk
management policies at all times, participate in continuing education, and must be re-evaluated every two
years.
· For more information check out the website, www.handinpaw.org
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Doug Dean Named Top Human Resources Executive
Doug Dean (left), vice president of Human Resources, won the Birmingham Business Journal's "Top Human
Resources Executive Award" in the large employer category at their annual luncheon on Sept. 20. Presenting
the award was James Pennington (right) with title sponsor Ogletree Deakins.
The Big Top Clowns presented the hospital a beautiful wagon for the kids & parents to use while at the hospital.
It is painted with all the volunteer clowns of the hospitals picture as well as other cute clown stuff.
Coot the Clown (Larry Davis) did a wonderful job on the wagon, can't wait to see it roll bye with some kids in
it. Thanks clowns great job because the wagon is beautiful.!
Reminder: If you have a change in email, phone
or address, please let a staff member know. We
want to make sure we continue to keep your
record up to date and make sure you’re receiving the latest information
Also, you might notice something different the next time you use the
touch panel to log in. We are in the process of reviewing volunteer
assignments. This includes some minor changes in title. For example:
Patient Pal PNO will now be Parents Night Out Patient Pal.
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What is a Conflict of Interest?
A conflict of interest may occur when our judgment to make a responsible job decision is influenced by potential
financial or personal gain.
A conflict could result when we have a financial, business, or family relationship with a vendor, contractor, or
competitor of COA.
Who has to abide by this policy?
Anyone who conducts business relations with, or for, Children’s of Alabama. This includes all employees, trustees,
volunteers, contractors and non-employees.
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•
•
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What are some examples of possible conflicts of interest I should avoid?
Displaying or distributing campaign material (signs, buttons, clothing, brochures) for political parties or candidates
on COA property
Supporting or representing political parties or candidates and implying a COA affiliation
Accepting gifts from patients, patient families, or vendors
Working or volunteering for another organization, if it is likely to conflict with your COA responsibilities
Soliciting orders, selling products, or distributing literature for sales of products or services for personal gain
during work hours on COA property.
What if I’m not sure if something I’m doing could be a conflict of interest?
Speak with your Supervisor and/or contact the Corporate Compliance Officer at 939-9006
Where can I learn more about this policy?
Please access and read the policy on the home page of the COA Intranet:
Conflict of Interest Policy ADM-G 07
Or, on the Compliance web page (link at bottom of COA home page) under Code of Conduct:
COA Code of Conduct - Compliance Commitment #6
Volunteer Voice is a publication for volunteers of
Children’s Health System.
To submit a story or story idea:
Call: 205.939.9797
Fax: 205.558.2080
E-mail: Howard.Holmes@childrensal.org
Lisa.Howard@childrensal.org
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS!
November 2011
11th
28th
Parent’s Night Out, 6pm, Bradley
Lecture Center
Auxiliary Fun Night at the Harbor, 6pm,
Children’s Harbor
Auxiliary Board Meeting, 5:30pm
1600 7th Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama 35233
DEPARTMENT PHONE DIRECTORY
Department Director
Volunteer Services Office
Gift Shop
Patient Information
www.chsys.org
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939.9696
939.5199
939.9295
939.9111