Clinical News

Tissue Procurement Centermakes cancer research history 2

Visitation guidelines changeto help fight spread of flu 3

New CMS-approved lab panelsgo live Nov. 11 7

General News

Caring for Yourself 8-10

Update: TransformationRewards Program 12

In 2005, all Christiana CareHealth System facilities

went smoke free, inside andout. The next step in this jour-ney is helping the employeesof Christiana Care and theirdependents stop using tobac-co products forever.

As leaders in the health carecommunity, we should set anexample to inspire our com-munity. That’s why, startingthis fall, Christiana Care willoffer a research-based pro-gram for employees and theirdependents who want to kick thetobacco habit.

Christiana Care is offering nicotinereplacement medication plus one-on-one and group counseling, all at nocost to you. Tobacco users enrolled inmedical coverage who participate inthe program will be rewarded withthe same $15 per pay medical premi-um discount that non-tobacco userswill receive starting July 1, 2010.

No. 1 reason to quit: Your health

Smoking is responsible for 20 percentof deaths nationwide. Cigarettes causemore deaths than AIDS, auto acci-dents, alcoholism, cocaine, heroin,homicide and suicide combined.

In Delaware, lung cancer is outpacingevery other cancer in mortalities. On aprofessional and personal basis, we atChristiana Care have witnessed thedevastating effects lung cancer,emphysema, heart disease and strokehave on patients, as well as the

F O C U S

Kicking the tobacco habit will earn employeesa $15 per pay health premium discount.

Employees who kick tobacco habit willearn a health premium discount

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profound grief it causes their lovedones.

People who do kick the habit will findthat their health begins to improveimmediately. In fact, the healingprocess begins within 20 minutes, asblood pressure drops to a healthierlevel, the pulse rate drops and thetemperature of the hands and feetinches up as circulation improves.

Quitting lowers heart attack risk

After eight hours, the level of carbonmonoxide in the blood drops to nor-mal. After only 24 hours, the chanceof having a heart attack declines. Andafter 48 hours, people who stop smok-ing will notice that their ability totaste—and smell—their morning cof-fee has improved. Between threeweeks and two months, it willbecome much easier to talk. As

The Helen F. Graham CancerCenter at Christiana Care is the

first community hospital in the nationto submit specimens to theBiospecimen Core Resource (BCR) ofThe Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)Project, part of a sweeping initiativeby the National Cancer Institute thatwill help doctors diagnose, treat andeven prevent cancer in the future.

“Being a part of the NCI’s CancerGenome Atlas Project makes the indi-viduals who are working on this veryimportant program part of a legacythat will serve future generations,”says Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., Bank ofAmerica endowed medical director,Helen F. Graham Cancer Center.

Collecting and storing samples of tis-sue and blood from cancer patients tostudy in the laboratory will helpphysicians learn more about changes

One of an elite group of 14 centers inthe United States selected to the NCICommunity Cancer Centers Program,The Helen F. Graham Cancer Centerestablished a tissue bank in 2003 incollaboration with the Department ofPathology. Christiana Care receivedThe Cancer Genome Atlas award inSeptember 2008, a $4.6 million, four-year research subcontract funded bythe NCI.

The money enables the GrahamCancer Center to hire three researchnurses who are responsible—understringent NCI and InstitutionalReview Board standards—for identify-ing and following consenting patientspost-operatively to collect data. Thefunding also provides for hiring twotechnicians in the Department ofPathology who work with the operat-ing rooms at Christiana andWilmington hospitals to obtain thebiospecimens.

“The project takes the collaboration ofresearch nurses, surgeons, and thePathology Department and OR staff atboth Christiana and Wilmington hos-pitals,” Dr. Petrelli says. “They are alloutstanding individuals who makethis project work.”

Workers at the Graham Cancer Centerbegan collecting specimens for thisgroundbreaking project in March 2009.In the beginning, the initiativeinvolved only three types of tumors:brain (glioblastoma multiforme),ovary (serous cystadenocarcinoma)and lung (squamous cell carcinoma).

that occur in DNA and identifybiomarkers related to cancer.

Researchers at BCR labs inPhoenix, Ariz., extract DNA fromthe specimens for genomesequencing. The sequencing helpsresearchers map a comprehensiveatlas of molecular informationlisting the changes in genomes, orgenetic material, found in varioustypes of cancer.

Ultimately, doctors hope to tailorpatients’ cancer treatment to theirunique genetic profiles. The

research also will help to identifypatients who are most likely torespond to specific treatments inclinical trials.

Christiana Care is first among NCI-designated communitycancer centers to submit tissue, blood samples for research

Cancer research nurses, left to right,are Samantha Carter, RN, ChristineCzerwinski, RN, and Jennifer Painter,RN.

Left to right are pathology teammembers Alicia Ward, BrendaRabeno, Sue Kaczmarczyk andpathologist Mary V. Iacocca, M.D.

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Effective Wednesday, Nov. 4,Christiana Care joined other

Delaware hospitals in enforcing newvisitation guidelines to protectpatients, their loved ones and healthcare workers from both seasonal andH1N1 flu.

The new restrictions limits Christianaand Wilmington hospital visitors topersons age 16 and older. Childrenand teens younger than 16 are mostlikely to get the H1N1 infection andremain contagious longer than adults.These restrictions apply to hospitalareas such as patient rooms, therapyareas and outpatient service areas.

Visitors limited to two at a time

We also are limiting the number of vis-itors allowed in a patient’s room atone time to two.

To help our colleagues manage andcommunicate the new guidelines,additional Patient and Visitor Greeterswill staff the main lobbies. Large bill-boards, other signage and other hand-outs will help inform visitors. Whilewe will encourage our visitors toabide by our new guidelines, staffshould use common sense in enforcingthem. Please do not call Security toenforce the new guidelines. The nursemanager or nurse coordinator candecide exceptions.

“As a safety first organization, our pri-ority is to do all we can to adhere tothe highest standards of infection con-trol,” says Marci Drees, M.D.,Christiana Care’s Infection Controlofficer. “We are doing this in order tokeep our patients healthy and to keepour health care workers healthy. WithH1N1, children are most likely to

spread illness and keeping them out ofthe hospital will help stop the virusfrom entering the building.”

Christiana Care continues to urge peo-ple who are sick with fever, headache,cough, chills, sore throat, unusualtiredness, runny nose, diarrhea, bodyaches or vomiting not to visit patientsat the hospital because those symp-toms may be due to the flu. This isespecially important in the maternityfloors and neonatal intensive care unit.

Many states nationwide are imple-menting temporary visitation guide-lines as a result of increasing concernover containing the spread of bothseasonal and H1N1 flu. Please notethat additional modifications toChristiana Care’s visitor policy couldoccur rapidly and without notice,depending on the situation.

Patient visitation guidelines changed to protect against spread of flu

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These three were chosen by the NCIbecause the prognosis for patientswith these types of tumors is verypoor and the likelihood of obtaininghigh-quality specimens is good.Today, all types of colorectal andbreast tumors along with adenocarci-noma of the lung are included.

James Robb, M.D., FACH, consultingpathologist to the NCI and Office ofBiorepositories and BiospecimenResearch, has high praise forChristiana Care after a site visit to theGraham Cancer Center in October.

“I can’t say enough about theChristiana NCCCP-TCGA team,” Dr.Robb says. “[They are] excellent, ener-getic and committed.”

circulation improves, former smokerswill find they are breathing deeplyand huffing and puffing much less. Sixto nine months out, an ex-smoker willmarvel at not having had a cold thisseason.

And, after a year without cigarettes,former smokers reach an importantmilestone. A person who has chosennot to light up will have cut his or herrisk of heart attack to half that of asmoker.

To learn more about the TobaccoCessation Initiative, please click on thelink in the health quadrant on HROnline, or call Employee Health at302-733-1878.

player and Nintendo Wii gamingsystem.

Fun on wheels

“It’s on wheels, so we can easilymove it from the waiting room toany exam room,” says JacquelineSquillace, R.N. “All the games arepreloaded, so it’s extremely userfriendly.”

Each year, 50-70 children frominfancy to age 18 undergo variousforms of outpatient radiation thera-py at the center, typically receivingdaily treatments over a period oftwo to seven weeks.

Radiation oncologist Jon F. Strasser, M.D., and patient Noxah Palomo,compete on the mobile entertainment unit Wii station provided byStarlight children’s foundation at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center.

Kids with cancer face difficult chal-lenges, especially so for those of

tender years.

The new Starlight Fun Center at theHelen F. Graham Cancer Center ishelping young children and teens toforget about their treatment and focuson Mario and Luigi—or a Disney flick.

“Cancer is a sort of grownup disease,”says Jon Strasser, M.D., medicaldirector, Pediatric Radiation Oncology.“This is helping kids to enjoy theirchildhood through this difficult time.”

The mobile entertainment unitcontains an LCD television, DVD

Dr. Strasser first came in con-tact with Starlight at when hewas training at Children’sHospital in Boston. Starlightwas a source of enjoyment forpatients there, so he contactedthe Los Angeles-basedStarlight Foundation to bringa fun center to ChristianaCare, where cancer patientsfrom A.I. du Pont Hospital forChildren receive radiationtreatment. The foundationhelps seriously ill childrencope with fear, pain and isola-tion of treatment throughentertainment, education andfamily activities.

The Starlight center is part ofan ongoing effort to make theradiation oncology programat the Graham Cancer Centermore kid-friendly. Already,Squillace has brought in chil-dren’s books and laptops

donated to the program to help youngpatients keep their minds off their ill-nesses while waiting for treatment.

Dr. Strasser, who sometimes playsalong with the youngsters, says theStarlight center was an instant hit.

“In fact, it can be hard to get them toleave the department,” he jokes. “Andsome are coming in early for treatment.”

Mobile entertainment unit takes kids’ minds off radiation treatment at Helen F. Graham Cancer Center

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Dr. Petrelli shares cancer success story at national conference

At the American College ofSurgeons (ACS) Annual Clinical

Conference in Chicago last month,Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., Bank ofAmerica endowed medical director ofthe Helen F. Graham Cancer Center,gave the Commission on CancerKeynote Address. He told colleaguesthat Christiana Care’s cancer programdevelopment, along with statewidecancer control, underlies majorimprovements transformingDelaware’s cancer profile.

Some excellent results achieved by thecombined efforts of the GrahamCancer Center and the State ofDelaware include:

n Cancer mortality rates and theadult smoking rate in Delaware aredropping twice as fast as the nationalaverage. In 2007, for the first time,Delaware’s smoking rate fell belowthe national average.

n Delaware has gone from first toeighth in the incidence of cancer, andfrom the highest rate in the nation to11th in cancer deaths, according to theAmerican Cancer Society.

n Thanks to a state program thatpays for breast, cervical, colorectal andprostate tests, more people are beingdiagnosed in early stages, extendingand saving lives.

n Increased access to screening ishelping to save lives in minority com-munities. Cancer rates among blacksare declining three times faster thanfor whites. The colorectal cancerscreening rate for blacks is 25 percenthigher than the national average.Overall, our colorectal screening rateis first in the United States.

n NCI accrual to clinical trials

increased from 14 percent in2004 to 26 percent in 2008,substantially higher than thenational average of 3 percent.Christiana Care’s CommunityClinical Oncology Programplays a critical role in enrollingpatients in clinical trials ofnew drugs and treatments forevery major type of cancer.

Increased fundingFunding from the NationalInstitutes of Health is up six-fold in the state, from $5 mil-lion in 1995 to $30 million in2008. Increased funding isenabling doctors and scientiststo work together through theCenter for TranslationalCancer Research, developedby the Helen F. GrahamCancer Center at ChristianaCare, A.I. DuPont Hospital forChildren, the DelawareBiotechnology Institute andthe University of Delaware.Funding has also helpedestablish the TissueProcurement Center at the GrahamCancer Center for translational can-cer research. (See related story, p. 2).

Delaware is making great strides ingenetic counseling and gene testingas well, Dr. Petrelli told the nationalconference. Since 2002, three full-timegenetic counselors have been hired bythe Cancer Center and have built ahigh-risk family cancer registry ofmore than 60,000 individuals.

Sponsored by the Commission onCancer of the American College ofSurgeons, Dr. Petrelli’s lecture, wastitled “A community cancer centerprogram: Getting to the next level.”

spearheaded an initiative to createand initiate the use of a unit-specificmobility card for the SCCC. At lastyear’s PEEPS workshop, Ryan pre-sented a new technique for using limbslings to support the lower extremitiesin combination with the bed slingwhen dealing with very tall patients.Ryan also helps educate the SCCCstaff on using of the bilateral turningsling and led the presentation of hisunit for the American NursesAssociation visit last year.

n Duane Griffin, PCT on 5B, has pro-vided outstanding contributions andsafe patient handling leadership sincethe PEEPS program started on his

unit. He attends everyPEEPS team meeting onhis unit and activelylooks for new membersto add to the team.Griffin’s invaluableassistance with collect-ing data for the Focuson Excellence Awardcompetition entry con-tributed to the success-ful completion of theproject.

n Melissa Craig, RN, of6A (ACE Unit) receivedan award for her initia-tive to develop and pro-duce a colorful, illustrat-ed presentation to sharethe relevant informationwith her unit. Craig’soutstanding work in

PowerPoint has since educate employ-ees about safe patient handling onother units.

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Three safety-minded colleaguesreceived Injury Prevention

Awards Oct. 21 for their leadership inChristiana Care’s performance andsafe patient handling program(PEEPS).

“The PEEPS program not only pre-vents an untold number of injuries byeducating staff, it also provides aforum where our team shares ideas toconstantly improve safe patienthandling practices and performance,”says Carys Price, director, EmployeeInjury Prevention/PEEPS Program.

Those receiving the award include:

n Fred Ryan, PCT on SCCC/2A ,

Three earn recognition for excellencewith PEEPS Injury Prevention Awards

Joint Commissionprimary stroke surveyis Nov. 10-11

Christiana Care has been preparingfor a Joint Commission site survey toget certification for primary strokecare.

To achieve this disease-specific certifi-cation, a disease management pro-gram must undergo an extensive, on-site evaluation by a Joint Commissionsurveyor.

Our on-site survey Nov. 10 and 11 willfocus on inpatient units at bothWilmington and Christiana hospitals.Certification requirements addressthree areas:

n Compliance with consensus-basednational standards and safety goals.

n Effective use of evidence-basedclinical practice guidelines to manageand optimize care.

n Organized approach to perform-ance measurement and improvementactivities.

We can anticipate patient tracers onthe nursing units and diagnostic areaswhere we provide care to strokepatients, as well as system tracers toinclude the use of data, competencyand credentialing.

Our surveyor is Kathleen Ostrowski,RN, BSN, MPA, CNRN. She has heldseveral leadership positions in healthcare, including service line managerfor neuroscience at the MethodistHospitals in Indiana. Her clinicalbackground is in critical care areas ofneuroscience, cardiac and trauma. Shehas been a surveyor since 2005.From left, PEEPS Injury Prevention

Program Award winners DuaneGriffin, PCT, Melissa Craig, RN, andFred Ryan, PCT.

On Nov. 11, Christiana Care willofficially make the switch over to

lab panels approved by the Centersfor Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Changing to CMS-approved labpanels, or groupings of tests pertain-ing to common conditions, will makemore effective use of the lab, promotepatient safety and streamlinegovernment reimbursement for tests.The panels are designed to supportinpatient testing that is medicallynecessary.

Change also supports CPOE

The change also supports theComputerized Physician Order Entrysystem that will be rolled out atWilmington Hospital in January andat Christiana Hospital in spring 2010.

“The conversion to the use of the CMSDisease Specific Panels in the patientenvironment supports medicalnecessity guidelines and efficientlaboratory utilization, and preparesthe clinical staff for the evidence-basedorder sets that have been built forCPOE,” says Cheryl Katz, MBA, MT(ASCP), vice president, Pathology andLab Services.

Pocket cards distributed

Pocket cards illustrating the changehave been distributed to doctors andnurses. After the go-live date, writtenorders for some non-CMS lab panelswill default to a CMS-approved panel.Some will result in a call to the physi-cian for clarification.

Robert J. Laskowski, M.D., MBA,president and CEO of Christiana

Care Health System and MichaelCinkala, interim manager of PhysicianRelations at Christiana Care, eachreceived a Regent’s Award from theDelaware chapter of the AmericanCollege of Healthcare Executives(ACHE) at the Delaware HealthcareForum in Dover, Del., on Oct. 27. Dr. Laskowski received the Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent’sAward and Cinkala the Early CareerHealthcare Executive Regent’s Award.Regent’s awards recognize health careprofessionals who have significantlycontributed to the advancement ofhealth care management excellenceand the achievement of the goals ofACHE. Lynn Jones, senior vice presi-dent at Christiana Care and ACHERegent in Delaware, presented theawards.Dr. Laskowski’s award recognizes hisleadership and commitment to thehealth and well-being of people ofDelaware and the region.

“Since being named president andCEO in 2003, Bob has made a greatimpact at Christiana Care,” said Jones.“I have personally seen the quality ofcare that Christiana Care provides andthe level of commitment to the com-munity we serve steadily increase. Heis positioning Christiana Care well toprovide for the health care needs ofour community in the years to come.”Cinkala received his award for bring-ing more networking and educationalevents to health care management pro-fessionals in the state. He also devel-oped an outreach plan to increaseawareness of ACHE and professionaldevelopment opportunities to healthcare administration students. ACHE is an international professionalsociety of 30,000 health care executiveswho lead our nation’s hospitals, healthcare systems and other health careorganizations. ACHE is known for itsjournal, the Journal of HealthcareManagement, and magazine, HealthcareExecutive, as well as research andcareer development and public policyprograms.

American College of Healthcare Executiveshonors two from Christiana Care

Christiana Care President and CEO Bob Laskowski, M.D., left, andInterim Manager of Physician Relations Michael Cinkala, right, receivedACHE Regent’s awards presented by Lynn Jones, senior vice president atChristiana Care, the Delaware ACHE Regent.

Lab panelchangeover goeslive Nov. 11

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Alisa Carrozza and Joe Novack,exercise specialists, are dedicated

to helping Christiana Care employeesstay fit.

They work at on-site fitness centers,offering guidance and encouragementto people who want to get in shapeand maintain a healthy exerciseroutine.

“I’m committed to helping people findfitness,” says Carrozza, who works onthe Christiana campus. “It’s what Ilike best about my job.”

Novack, who is on the Wilmingtoncampus, enjoys working with employ-ees to develop fitness programs theycan stick with to achieve their fitnessgoals.

Each also has been motivated by a

Christiana Care exercise specialists can help you make the most of your workout

personal experience.

Carrozza’s father died of a heartattack when he was only 55.

Novack lost his father and olderbrother to cardiovascular disease.

Educational backgrounds

Carrozza earned a bachelor’s degreein health and physical education atWest Chester University. Before com-ing to the fitness center, she workedin the cardiac rehab program atSpringside and with chronic painpatients at the Eugene du PontPreventive Medicine & RehabilitationInstitute (PMRI).

Joe Novackcounts repsand advisesJohn Fields ofEnvironmentalServices duringhis workout.

Alisa Carrozza, left, gives NicoleShaw, RN, some workout tips in theChristiana Hospital Fitness Center.

E X E R C I S E S P E C I A L I S T S , C O N T I N U E D Office foursome builds commitmentto fitness, finds strength in numbers

Group energy is a powerful force.Take it from four Trauma staff

members who work out together atthe Christiana Hospital fitness center. Most days, the women encourage,support—and occasionally push—oneanother to exercise each day.

They say working out is more funwhen it includes spending time withcaring colleagues.

The fab four, Zona Alexander, CarlaEnslin, Jennie Maris and Jen Oldham,all work in the Trauma Department.

“When one of us needs motivating,there”s always someone to encourageus to go work out,” Enslin says. “Wetake notice of and compliment oneanother on our accomplishments.”

Their managers, Joan Pirrung andPam Woods, encourage the staff toexercise during lunch breaks to reducestress and increase energy levels, tobenefit both the individual and theteam.

“If you have the ability to exerciseduring your work breaks, especiallyfor staff who have a sit-down job,your mind will be re-energized andmost likely produce better than sittingidle for your entire shift,” Pirrungsays.

Working together, each of the womenhas achieved a personal fitness goal:

■ Maris lost 30 pounds.

■ Alexander shed 34 pounds andfound a consistent fitness program shecan stick with.

■ Oldham is back to the same dresssize she wore before she had her baby.

■ Enslin lost 10 pounds before herson”s wedding in May—and is keep-ing it off.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing these colleaguesand friends encouraging each other tostick to their exercise routine, and nowthey even like to exercise, which theyonce viewed as work,” Pirrung says.

Trauma staff administrative assistants (from left) Jennifer Oldham, Carla Enslinand Zona Alexander, and Data Collection Specialist Jennie Maris.

Novack holds a bachelor’s degree inhealth behavior science with a concen-tration on fitness management fromthe University of Delaware. Beforecoming on board at PMRI he was apersonal trainer where he worked fornine years with patients with chronicdiseases.

According to the latest joint AmericanHeart Association/ American College ofSports Medicine guidelines, healthyadults ages 18–65 should be getting atleast 30 minutes of moderate-intensityexercise five days a week.

To maximize opportunities foremployees to work out, the fitnesscenters are open 24 hours a day, sevendays a week.

There also are regularly scheduledgroup classes in aerobics, pilates, yogaand other options. Christiana Careoffers an annual $100 reimbursementto workers who sign up for the fitnesscenter.

“We work with people individually tocreate a physical activity schedule thatis tailored to their interests,” Carrozzasays.

If Carrozza or Novack aren’t personal-ly available to answer a question, theywill respond by e-mail.

“We can get back to people veryquickly with answers about their pro-gram,” Novack says.

To learn more, call the Christiana fit-ness center at 733-3925 or theWilmington center at 428-6252.

Wilmington Campus, 428-6252.)

Healthy, balanced diet

What—and how much—you eat not only affectsyour waistline, it influ-ences your mood, energyand stress level.

So minimize foods that arehigh in fat, sodium, sugarand cholesterol.

That means saying “no” toFrench fries and “yes” togreen salad (with low-fatdressing). You can get lots

of great information on nutritious eat-ing and the four food groups atwww.mypyramind.gov.

Limit your alcohol intake to no morethan one drink a day. And drinkplenty of water. The Institute ofMedicine recommends that men quaffthree liters (or 13 eight-ounce glasses)of water each day; women shoulddrink nine glasses a day.

(To contact Weight Watchers at Work,call 327-5555.)

Get enough rest

Most grownups need seven to eighthours of sleep each night. But many ofus don’t get adequate rest because weare on the go, dashing to work, run-ning errands, chasing dreams.

Getting enough shut-eye is importantbecause it helps us to function betterduring our waking hours. Well-restedpeople are more alert and lessstressed.

Get regular exams and screenings

Your doctor and dentist can help toprevent small problems from growinginto big health concerns through

“Ajourney of a thousand milesbegins with a single step.”

—Ancient Chinese proverb

When you think of your state of well-ness, don’t fret if you’re starting small.Consider the various steps you cantake to improve your body. Then, startworking to improve yourself, one limbat a time, until you reach your goal.

Here are four simple basics that canhelp you to establish strong roots inhealthy living:

Exercise to keep fit

That doesn’t mean signing up for amarathon that is two months away.Set realistic goals. If you don’t alreadyexercise on a regular basis, start withbaby steps. Walk for 30 minutes, threetimes a week.

Regular physical activity is a big helpin losing weight—and in keepingthose pounds off. Exercise also helpsour brains, whisking away cobwebs ofworry and reducing our stress level.

(You can learn more about exercise atthe Employee Fitness Centers:Christiana Campus, 733-3925 and

A journey to health and fitness begins with the first step

If it’s weight you want to lose,what’s a better way to get started

than an onsite program where youwork?Weight Watchers at Work meetsThursdays from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.in 5E85.Check out these details:

n No weekly fees as with off-sitemeetings.

n Up to $100 is reimbursablethrough your flexible spendingaccount.

n If you miss an At Work meeting,you can attend a meeting in the com-munity at no extra cost.

n The program costs $155.35 for 13weeks of meetings, and that includeseight weeks of an online subscriptionto eTools—a $13-a-month value.

n The online subscription providesdaily tips and ideas, a weight trackerwith progress charts, a points tracker,recipes, restaurant guides and manysupport groups/forums.

For complete Weight Watchers atWork information, contact DebbieBreen in HR, 327-5555.

regularly scheduled tests and exams.

That includes knowing your numbers,such as your average blood pressureand cholesterol count.

For your own sake, take the time tomake appointments as often as yourhealth care providers recommend.

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Formulary Update

Now you can recycle paper, plasticbottles, glass and metal cans in des-

ignated containers at WilmingtonHosital.

The new program is part of our environ-

mental stewardship initiative.Representatives from AntosEnvironmental are distributing recy-cling containers throughout the hospi-tal and are available to review theprogram with employees.

Recycling program launches at Wilmington Hospital

A Chestnut Run Federal Credit Unionrepresentative is available atChristiana Hospital in the West EndCafe on Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.,to help employees with opening newaccounts, applying for loans, chang-ing payroll deductions and otherneeds. A representative also visitsWilmington Hospital on the firstWednesday of every month fromnoon-2 p.m., available by the elevatorsnear the cafeteria.

For more information on the creditunion, go to www.chestnutrunfcu.org,call 302-999-3193 or e-mailmember services@chestnutrunfcu.org.

Transformation Rewards Program needs your involvement

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the flu season will have on ChristianaCare.

Patient satisfaction is below threshold

At the same time, as of the end ofAugust, our average patient satisfac-tion score is 75 percent—below theminimum threshold of 76 percent.TRP bases the patient satisfactionscore on the HCAPHS question“Likelihood to recommend thehospital.”

Our greatest opportunities for patientsatisfaction improvement fall undercommunication and hospital environ-ment. We can boost our overall effortsto deliver the best patient experienceand ultimately affect a patient’s likeli-hood to recommend Christiana Careby:

n Saying “hello” to people in thehallways. When patients see staffsmiling and greeting others, the envi-ronment seems warmer and friendlier.

n Helping visitors who appear lost.

Our progress in meeting the goalsof the Transformation Rewards

Program (TRP) continues to be mixed,but encouraging.

Many departments are implementingchanges to transform the way wedeliver care and achieve our Focus onExcellence goals.

The two key indicators of our successare financial strength and patientsatisfaction. When we reach specificgoals in these two areas, all eligibleemployees receive a bonus paymentfrom $250 up to $1,200.

Financially, we are succeeding.Operating gain exceeds budget by $7million fiscal year to date. Thanks toeveryone’s efforts, we have exceededour minimum threshold of $4 million.At this pace, we can potentially hit ourtarget of $8 million for the fiscal year.This will require everyone to remainfinancially vigilant, since we do notknow the impact health care reform or

n Communicating in a polite andpleasant tone. It’s not what you say,but how you say it that influences theChristiana Care experience for ourpatients and their families.

n Explaining processes and proce-dures in a way that our patients canunderstand, and listening to under-stand our patients’ needs and con-cerns.

n Keeping the area around ourpatients’ rooms quiet at night.

n Picking up and discarding trash.

n Notifying housekeeping/facilitiesif an area or equipment requires serv-ice. They depend on us to be theireyes and ears.

Remember, it’s the cumulative resultsat the end of the fiscal year that willtrigger a payout, and we need to besuccessful in both the patient satisfac-tion and financial measures.

Focus on ExcellenceJudges study theirassigned entries at the2009 Focus onExcellence Awardsexhibit at theWilmington HospitalConference Center.Winners in 11 cate-gories, plus the popu-lar People’s ChoiceAward winner, will beannounced at anawards ceremony onNov. 12.

The popular Celebrating Women'sHealth Lecture Series events heldat the John H. Ammon MedicalEducation Center will also bebroadcast live at the SmyrnaHealth & Wellness Center. Thismonth's lecture is "The HealingPower of Letting Go" on Tuesday,Nov. 10, featuring MargaretKeenan, Ph.D. Attendees will learnabout the psychological aspects ofhealth and illness at this free videolecture event. Register online atwww.christianacare.org/lectures.

2009 Wilmington Walk for Life &Breath is Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10a.m. at the Chase Center on theRiverfront, Wilmington, with regis-

tration open at 8:30 a.m. For informa-tion, call 302-655-7258.

The next topic in Respiratory Care’sCOPD Lecture Series is “COPD andAlpha 1 Antitrypsin,” Tuesday, Nov. 17,10 a.m.-noon. Albert Rizzo, M.D., willdiscuss treatment options. Testing forAlpha 1 will be done at this session inRoom 1100, Christiana Hospital. CallDebbie Wood, 733-2562, to register.

Christiana Care Volunteers’ annualReading is Fun Book Fairs are a greatopportunity to buy books at a discount-ed price as holiday gifts for everyonefrom the newest grandchild to that spe-cial teacher. A portion of the proceedsfrom the book fairs will help such vol-unteer programs as the Video DoctorProgram, NetLink and the adult day

Upcoming events

care centers. The book fairs will beopen:

In Room 1100, Christiana Hospital:

n Nov. 8, 3-8 p.m.

n Nov. 9, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.n Nov. 10, 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.

On the 1st Floor at VNA, One ReadsWay:

n Friday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.The Office of Quality and Patient Safetyinvites Christiana Care leadership,departmental chairs, staff and other col-leagues and clinicians to join theInstitute for Healthcare Improvement’s21st Annual National Forum onQuality Improvement in Health CareSatellite Conference, Dec. 8-9, viasatellite at Christiana Hospital, Room1100 and the Wilmington ConferenceCenter. This conference is free to allemployees. This real-time broadcastfrom Orlando will include four keynotesessions, plus four mini keynote ses-sions. For more information or registra-tion, contact Jean Davis at (302) 733-2462 or jeadavis@christianacare.org.For more information on the forum,visit www.ihi.org/IHI/.

The Trauma Program will host its 3rdAnnual Holiday Mocktail FestivitiesDec. 8 during lunch breaks in the cafe-teria at Christiana Hospital.Collaborating with the Delaware Officeof Highway Safety, the goal is to raiseawareness of the hazards of impaireddriving while promoting tips for respon-sible holiday party hosting. Thatincludes recipes for delicious non-alco-holic beverages. Join the Trauma stafffor “mocktails,” snacks and holidayglee.

United Way of Delaware is a leader that funds programs which confront themany pervasive issues facing our community and finds solutions to over-

come them. Underneatheverything we are and allthat we do, we are all onepeople.

When we lend a hand tohelp one person who is suf-fering, we have a positiveinfluence on the conditionof all. The broad range ofUnited Way-funded pro-grams and services helpsstrengthen our community.

Your generosity benefits your coworkers, neighbors, friends and perhaps evenyour family members throughout the state. By investing in the communitytoday, you’ll ensure that life-changing programs are available for someone inneed tomorrow.

If you have not responded, there is still time. Please log in to the portals, clickon the Unite Way Campaign link and make your gift today.

Support the United Way of Delaware

Magnet Nursing video and fair drew scores of viewers

n The MagnetNursing video, whichfeatures 261 staff mem-bers from 25 units anddepartments, can beviewed on the portals?

n Christiana Carereceived notice inSeptember from theAmerican Nurses”Credentialing Center(ANCC) that ourMagnet applicationpassed review by theMagnet survey teamwith a score of excel-lence.

n The ANCC apprais-ers are at ChristianaCare this week. Duringtheir four-day visit, theappraisers validate thepresence of excellencein nursing throughoutthe organization, con-firming what they readin our application.

n The MagnetRecognition Programrecognizes health careorganizations thatdemonstrate excellencein nursing practice asmeasured against rigor-ous national standards.

n Fewer than 6.2percent of U.S.hospitals achieveMagnet designation.

1 4 F O C U S N o v. 5 , 2 0 0 9

Amemorial service for allChristiana Care employees who

have died since the last memorialservice will be held on Friday, Dec. 4at 3 p.m. in room 1100 at ChristianaHospital.

Please join us as we remember ourfriends and colleagues.

The following is a list of ChristianaCare employees who have died sinceNovember 2007. If there are any omis-sions, please inform Chaplain TimRodden, trodden@christianacare.orgor 302-733-1227.

Angela Barnett, Breast CenterJoseph Barsky, M.D., M-D StaffLouisa Batman, M.D., M-D StaffMarion Boyle, Anesthesiology

Esther Campbell, EnvironmentalServicesLynette Conner, Respiratory CareRobert Dickerson, M.D., M-D StaffLana Dugan, Operating RoomGeorge Eriksen Jr., M.D., M-D StaffCarl Glassman, M.D., M-D StaffMurriel Hammond, HIMSAudrey Hargan, PayrollRichard Kahlbaugh, M.D., M-D StaffGladys Kessell, Food & NutritionServicesMargaret Lardear, Family andCommunity MedicineJohn Levinson, M.D., M-D StaffJacquie Lewinson, Case ManagementMuriel Loper, Sterile Processing

Dec. 4 memorial service planned for Christiana Care employees

Garrett Lyons Sr., D.D.S., M-D StaffKaren McQueston, NursingArnold Mittelman, M.D., M-D StaffFrancis Muldoon, NursingMichael Pasquale, M.D., M-D StaffHeather Parlier, Admitting ServicesMegan Perry, Human ResourcesDavid Platt, M.D., M-D StaffEthel F. Platt, M.D., M-D StaffJudith Porter, FinancePaul Potocki, PharmacyJohn Reinhard, M.D., M-D StaffFrank Tartaglio Jr., MaintenanceBambi L. Taylor, M.D., M-D StaffJames Thompson, D.D.S., M-D StaffRalph Tomases, D.D.S., M-D StaffRobert Weaver, D.O., M-D Staff

Nora C. Katurakes, RN, MSN, OCN, manager,Community Health Outreach and Educationfor the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center,received a 2009 Wilmington Award Oct. 7. Theannual awards recognize and honor outstand-ing accomplishments of Wilmington citizens inhealth science, community service, education,the arts and 11 other areas.

Community Health and EducationManager Nora Katurakes honored

Pictured, from left, are Mayor James Baker, Katurakes and CityCouncil President Norman Griffiths.

Cafeterias to accept Visa/Mastercard

On Nov. 11, the Food and NutritionDepartment is rolling out new cash registersthat will accept credit cards and enablecustomers to purchase gift cards. Look forthe added convenience starting Wednesday,Nov. 11 at the West End Café, ECafe andLakeview Café (located at the Helen F.Graham Cancer Center) on ChristianaHospital campus and at Wilmington campuson Thursday. Nov. 12.

Plantings promise riotous spring color at Wilmington campus

The Wilmington campus transformation project is more than bricksand mortar.

There are tens of thousands of plants to consider as well.

This fall, Chamberlain Street has become a promenade, widened andlandscaped for a three-season planting experience.

Plantings include zelkova trees and Ice Folly, Mount Hood and SpringPride Fortune Daffodils with liriope and plumbago ground cover.

Garage No. 1 (closest to the hospital) now offers free parking for patientsand visitors. Walkers stepping onto the promenade finds wider sidewalksand border plantings that separate people from traffic and already isimproving the feel of the campus.

Along Chamberlain Street, landscap-ers install 4,000 daffodil bulbs for anexplosion of spring color.