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In This Issue:
BWH continued to set the pace for clinical care, teaching and discovery throughout the 12 months of 2003.
Our move forward started with BWH President Gary L. Gottlieb, MD, MBA outlining the priorities for the next several years by announcing Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospitals new vision, which builds on the strong and successful relationship of our two institutions over the last few years. Similarly, a new BW/F Improvement Agenda was announced, charting activity for both hospitals, as we undergo continual change. In line with those efforts, four new Service Excellence initiatives were announced in the spring and have been gaining momentum thanks to multidisciplinary teams of staff. The year also marked a long-awaited ribbon cutting with the opening of One Brigham Circle, which provided a new home to many BWH departments. Each now enjoys a new workplace within close proximity to the hospital’s main campus. Many of BWH’s researchers enjoy additional lab space made available in Harvard’s New Research Building unveiled just a few months ago. BWH’s clinical, teaching and research efforts charted a new course this year as well with the launch of the first live surgical webcast. The move brought the latest in surgical advances to patients and other clinicians across the nation and around the globe. In addition, the hospital’s bar-coding project is now in full swing, as staff look forward to more progress after BWH unveiled its new repackaging center over the summer. Physical amenities continue to be polished and improved throughout the institution for patients. Of particular note is the new Emergency Cardiac Neuro Unit in the Emergency Department, which now provides four dedicated units to treat patients suffering from cardiovascular-and neurological-related issues. The Tower also unveiled a redesigned and renovated Medical Intensive Care Unit on 9C, bringing the latest in state-of-the-art technology and care to some of the hospital’s most critical patients. Other initiatives have taken a full team effort across the institution. The implementation of new guidelines and practices resulting from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) took place over the better half of last year. Thanks to everyone’s cooperation and effort, the implementation phase went well and issues related to HIPAA are addressed in an appropriate and timely fashion. JCAHO preparation for the upcoming survey in February 2004 has required full-scale cooperation and participation over the last year. Much effort on behalf of BWH Clinical Compliance and Risk Management has been key in communicating changes in survey methodology. Patient care success stories continue to be a part of the BWH way and set the morale for its many employees. With inspiring accounts of clinical expertise and compassionate care, BWH continues its tradition of saving and improving the lives of thousands of patients on an annual basis. 2003 was no exception. The caliber of talent and expertise exhibited by BWH caregivers remains in full force. The pool of talent continues to build at BWH, as the brightest minds in medicine are recruited. BWH continues to celebrate a successful residency match. BWH was honored and pleased to announce that its own Nawal Nour, MD and Jim Kim, MD were named MacArthur Fellows in 2003. These renowned “genius awards” are a true honor to the clinicians themselves and to the institution. This talent brings about continued institutional advancement. Such accolades continue to aid the hospital in attracting funds to further the success of its research enterprise. Once again, BWH is the second leading recipient of research funding from National Institutes of Health for the ninth consecutive year. Additionally, BWH witnessed its largest single philanthropic gift from a private source, a $24 million gift from the Reynolds Foundation. All this occurred as BWH nears the completion of its “Great Medicine in the Making” capital campaign, which has raised more than $178 million toward its goal of $200 million thanks to the efforts of BWH’s determined Development Department. For the ninth consecutive year, BWH appeared on the Solucient, Inc. Top 100 List, resulting from a national survey of top hospitals. Also, as the banners indicate at each of the three hospital entrances, BWH made the Honor Roll of America’s Best Hospitals, as announced in U.S. News & World Report for the eleventh consecutive year. BWH continues its commitment to the community and celebrates its special connection with the Maurice J. Tobin School. 2003 brought about a newly renovated Brookside Community Health Center—the unveiling of which attracted the likes of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy. Staff at all levels of BWH continue to play a role in the community, whether they read books to Tobin students, share their scientific knowledge in the science classrooms of local schools, or coach Little League in Mission Hill. BWH experienced a busy year in workforce development initiatives. BWH, as part of Partners HealthCare, has been able to participate in a number of programs that enable it to build its workforce by filling specific, high-demand positions. BWH was also recently honored by Governor Mitt Romney’s Office for its employment of people with disabilities. Internally, BWH continues to provide opportunities for individuals to advance. Thanks to the help of BWH-based associations, such as the Association for Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP), BWH works to provide scholarships and advancement opportunities for a diverse group of staff. 2003 was a key year to finalize the follow-through of the 1999 and 2001 Staff Surveys, while gearing up for the next effort to take place in spring 2004. Based on the belief that satisfied staff bring about satisfied customers, areas of improvement opportunity have been identified and addressed through the creation of specific action teams. Continually improving Press, Ganey satisfaction scores have indicated that BWH is better meeting the needs of its patients. Now in its third year, this tool has helped BWH identify areas of opportunity for the hospital to improve customer service. Continued follow through resulting from Staff Surveys and Press, Ganey surveys will ensure that BWH maintains its commitment to improving the satisfaction of its employees and patients, while moving forward the vital mission and vision of the institution.