Picker Survey Ongoing
Two years ago, the Picker Institute collected information on experiences from more than 12,500 patients. They are now in the process of collecting a new round of patient satisfaction data from inpatients during February and March. The information collected here at BWH will be publicly released in the fall of 2000, along with statistics from other hospitals from throughout the state.
Paula Johnson, MD, director, Quality Management Services, discussed the Picker process at the February 4 BWH Town Meeting. She outlined hospital efforts in three areas measured by Picker: Coordination of Care; Emotional Support; and Continuity and Transition. She recognized the unique challenges at teaching hospitals like BWH, but reviewed a wide number of initiatives designed to improve BWH’s interactions with patients.
These efforts have included the development of a patient relations department and the new Compassionate Care Program at BWH, improved admitting and discharge procedures, as well as day-after-discharge phone calls. “There is an ongoing commitment on the part of hospital leadership to address this important area,” said Johnson. “There has been widespread involvement of staff and a growing recognition that this is not just ‘patient satisfaction,’ but an indicator of overall quality.”
Bright Horizons Daycare Update
In June 2000, the doors to the new Bright Horizons Daycare at 201 Brookline Avenue will open, and BWH will expand its daycare with 59 additional slots for children of staff and employees. “The challenge of balancing home life and work life is one our staff face every day,” said Chief Medical Officer Andy Whittemore. “As part of our Quality of Worklife commitment, we will double our existing daycare capacity, significantly enhancing the routine childcare offered by BWH.”
Patricia Salamone, administrative ombudsman, will be joined by Bright Horizons staff to discuss the new program and answer questions on March 14 at 7:30 a.m. in the Carrie M. Hall Conference Room and at 12 p.m. in the Duncan Reid Conference Room and on March 15 at 3 p.m. in the Carrie M. Hall Conference Room. To receive more information including how to enroll, please e-mail Patricia Salamone at psalamone@partners.org. The deadline for consideration in the first round of
acceptances is March 20.
Funding opportunity from CIMIT
The Center for Innovative Minimally Invasive Therapy’s (CIMIT) Fast Forward Program is designed to bring promising new clinical programs from other sites (national/international) to Partners affiliated institutions, although Clinical Faculty from Partners affiliated institutions are eligible. The applicant must hold an HMS appointment of Instructor or higher, or an equivalent appointment. These awards include $20,000 in direct costs, plus expected matching funds from clinician’s department and are distributed three times a year. Applications are due April 1, 2000. For further information, contact Grace Chandonnet at 724-3901 or at gechandonnet@partners.org.
Scholars in Clinical Science Program
The Scholars in Clinical Science Program is a new postdoctoral training program at Harvard Medical School designed for individuals destined for careers in patient-oriented research. The two-year program includes a structured didactic curriculum, a longitudinal seminar series, and a mentored clinical research project. The program is funded by a Clinical Research Curriculum Award from the National Institutes of Health and begins in July 2000. Candidates must have an MD or DMD degree and will have completed their clinical training; applicants with a PhD in a clinically related discipline are also eligible. Students do not pay tuition costs, as these fees are fully funded by the Scholars in Clinical Science Program. For more information or to receive an application, contact Lauren Dewey Platt, PhD, Scholars in Clinical Science Program, at 278-0882 or lkdeweyplatt@bics.bwh.harvard.edu.
Dean’s community service award nominations
Dean Joseph Martin is requesting nominations for the second annual Harvard Medical School/Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HMS/HSDM) Dean’s Community Service Award. Emphasizing community service as an integral part of the HMS/HSDM academic mission, the award recognizes and encourages participation in community service activities and programs. The deadline to nominate a faculty member, resident, or student is March 24. An awardee’s community service program will receive a check for $1,000. For more information and a nomination form, please contact SueJeanne Koh at 432-6131 or suejeanne_koh@hms.harvard.edu. Forms can also be downloaded and completed electronically at www.mfdp.med.harvard.edu/outreach.