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Volume 2 Number 12 August 14, 2013

WHAT’Snew Pennsylvania Hospital

InSIde

Donate Life & Help PAH Save Lives .........................2

Keep Active – Earn Points! ......3

Penn Medicine Hospitals Recognized among Nation’s Top Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report .........................3

Please Donate: Next PAH American Red Cross Blood Drive .............3

What’s Happening ....................4

Penn Med One of the “Most Wired” Health Care Orgs in US ........................4

PAH was specifically honored for its commitment to the courtyard behind the President’s House as well as the historic Physic Garden. A formal event was held June 20, in the PHS Pop-Up Garden on Broad Street between Spruce and Pine Streets.

PAH takes great pride in the appearance and maintenance of its gardens which can reduce stress through interaction with nature. Come each spring, the wisteria in front of the center of the Pine Building and the azaleas along the front of the east and west wings are in their full glory. The wisteria vines are over 100 years old.

To the far right behind the azaleas, is the Physic Garden. The physicians approached the Board of Managers to create the Physic Garden in 1774 to provide them with on-site ingredients for medicines. The idea was approved, but due to continuous financial struggles the project

was delayed for over two centuries. The Physic Garden was finally made possible by the ten member clubs of the Philadelphia Committee of the Garden Club of America and the Friends of Pennsylvania Hospital in 1976, as a project to honor our nation’s bicentennial. The plants in the Physic Garden were selected as a collective representation of herbs, trees, and shrubs grown for medicinal purposes in America in the 18th Century. Volunteers from local garden clubs in Philadelphia continue to maintain the garden to this day.

The Physic Garden, the Pine Street Garden, as well as the other gardens on PAH’s campus — like the one found between the Garfield Duncan Buildings and the Harte Memorial Building — are open to patients, visitors and staff of the hospital year-round.

The Washington Square West Civic Association and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) have recently honored PAH and other individuals and groups dedicated to creating and maintaining open green spaces in the Washington Square West neighborhood.

Its Green SpacesP A H H o n o r e d for

` Shown in the front from left to right from PAH are: Lead Horticulturalist Samuel Royer, Gardening Group Chair for the Physic Garden Kate McGrann, Associate Director of Engineering Services, Christopher Reitz, Physician Liaison and Community Relations Coordinator Matthew Menard, and Director of Engineering Services, Jeffrey O’neil.

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More than 117,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, and time is running out. Today, 18 of them will die because not enough organs are available for transplantation. Hundreds of thousands of others whose lives would benefit from the gift of tissue and eye donations continue to wait and hope.

In Pennsylvania alone, there are

8,366people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.

Recently, Pennsylvania Hospital joined the HAP Donate Life Hospital Campaign as a Hospital Partner to work with organ donation organizations, state associations in the healthcare sector, and hospitals statewide to increase the number of registered organ, eye and tissue donors by August 31.

“As a Hospital Partner in this initiative, we encourage all members of our staff to

join with our partner organ donation organization, Gift of Life, in educating our hospital community on the critical need for organ donation and providing opportunities for people to sign up as organ, eye, and tissue donors,” said R. Michael Buckley, MD, executive director of PAH.

The US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, launched the WPFL Hospital Campaign on June 29, 2011. This campaign builds on the success of existing national and local workplace partnerships with more than 11,000 companies and organizations already participating in a broader awareness initiative, created in 2001 — the “Workplace Partnership for Life.”

The involvement and support of our staff are needed. We are asking our entire hospital community to help save lives by joining with our partner organ donation organization in educating staff members, patients and their families, visitors, and the extended community outside our doors on the critical need for organ donation and providing opportunities for people to sign up as organ, eye, and tissue donors.

Joining the campaign is easyAlso as part of this initiative, there were employee registration drives every Wednesday in August in the Elm Garden Cafeteria from 11 am to 1 pm. For more information and details on ways you can become actively involved, contact Matthew Menard, physician liaison and community relations coordinator, at 215.829.5349.

If you aren’t already a donor, won’t you please take a few minutes today to add your name to our state’s donor registry? You could someday save a life. Visit http://www.donatelifepa.org/ to find out how.

dOnATe LIfe & HeLp pAH SAve LIveSTHE HoSPITAL & HEALTHSySTEm ASSoCIATIon of PEnnSyLvAnIA (HAP) AImS To InCREASE oRGAn, EyE, AnD TISSuE DonoR REGISTRATIonS

GET THE fACTS about organ, eye, and tissue donation

DiD yOU KNOW that the Health System offers paid leave of absences to all employee living donors? Eligible employees may request a Bone Marrow/Organ Donation leave of absence when they intend to donate bone marrow, stem cells or a major organ to another person. Eligible employees will be paid regular time. No vacation, personal or sick time will be utilized and time off will not be counted towards the employee’s leave entitlement. The amount of time off granted will be determined on a case by case basis, depending on the type of donation to be made.

fOR MORE iNfORMATiON, interested employees may contact Disability Management in Human Resources at: 215.829.7077.

MyTH: If emergency room doctors know you’re an organ, eye, and tissue donor, they won’t work as hard to save you.fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the No. 1 priority is to save your life. Organ, eye, and tissue donation can only be considered after death has been declared.

myth: You are too old or ill to be a donor.fact: People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine if organs, eyes, and tissues can be donated.

myth: Your religion prohibits organ, eye, and tissue donation.fact: Most major organized religions in the US approve of organ, eye, and tissue donation and

consider it an act of charity.

myth: Organ and tissue donation disfigures the body and changes the way it looks in a casket.fact: Donated organs and tissues are removed surgically, in an operation similar to gallbladder or appendix removal. Donation need not change the appearance of the body for the funeral service.

myth: Only hearts, livers, and kidneys can be transplanted.fact: Transplantable organs include the heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestines. Tissue that can be donated includes eyes, skin, bone, heart valves, and tendons. One donor can improve the lives of many people.

fOR MORE fACTS about organ, eye, and tissue donation, visit http://www.donatelifepa.org/.

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The uPHS Wellfocused “Healthy Rewards” Program lets you earn points for participating in healthy activities and challenges. You can earn a $150 lump-sum payment by completing the Well-Being Assessment, Knowing your numbers and participating in healthy actions and challenges.* The challenges in the Healthy Rewards site are engaging and include something for everyone!

These new challenges are waiting for you to join in the Healthy Rewards site:

SWeAT fOR 30This challenge focuses on finding a physical activity you enjoy and doing it for 30 minutes or more per day on most

days of the week at a moderate intensity. There are countless types of physical activity out there you can do to effectively improve your health. earn 25 Wellfocused points per week for participating in this challenge.

penn MedICIne COMMunITY evenTSChoose an upcoming uPHS Community event to participate in and earn 100

points after you’ve completed the event. Some upcoming Walk/Run events include the Livestrong Bike and Run race, Penn’s 5K for the IoA and the memory mile Walk, and Bike mS City to Shore. for more information on these events visit the Wellfocused website. [for print visit www.uphshrandyou.com and click wellfocused then click latest and greatest health and wellness news]

BALAnCe THe SCALeSThis challenge focuses on balanced living. make healthier food choices and make the time to be physically activity

this summer! Track at least 24 days of balanced living from now until the end of September and earn 200 points!

HAve A BuCKeT LIST? This challenge is created to give you the motivation to check at least 3 things off your bucket list and earn 100 points!

more new challenges are available to you in the Healthy Rewards site. Improve your health and well-being while earning points along the way. Quarterly raffle prizes will be awarded for those participating in the Healthy Rewards challenges!

* noTE: you must complete the Well-Being Assessment and the Know your numbers tasks to be eligible for your $150 credit.

Once again, all three Penn Medicine hospitals were among the top 10 hospitals in Philadelphia included in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings. HUP again topped the list at #1, while Pennsylvania Hospital and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center ranked 6th and 4th respectively. All three Penn Medicine hospitals also ranked among the top 10 hospitals in Pennsylvania.

HUP has also again been ranked among the nation’s top hospitals. The publication lists HUP as one of only 18 hospitals in the nation to be recognized as an “Honor Roll” hospital for its exceptional performance based on outstanding quality, expertise, technology, and experience. This year, HUP is ranked 11th on the list nationwide and is recognized for its outstanding performance in 13 specialties.

Pennsylvania Hospital is included among 147 facilities — roughly 3 percent of

the 4,806 analyzed across the nation for the latest Best Hospitals rankings — to be ranked in even one of the 16 specialties. PAH is recognized for the following specialties:

Nationally Ranked • #34 in Orthopedics

High-Performing • in Cardiology & Heart Surgery

• in Diabetes & Endocrinology

• in Gastroenterology & GI Surgery

• in Geriatrics

• in Nephrology

• in Neurology & Neurosurgery

• in Pulmonology

• in Urology

Complete rankings as well as U.S. News & World Report’s methodology can be found at www.usnews.com/besthospitals.

Please Donate: next PAH American Red Cross Blood Drivefriday, August 30 • 7:00am – 5:00 pm • 2nd floor mcClelland Conference Room

Please visit the Red Cross website to register to donate at: http://www.redcrossblood.orgQuestions? Contact Blood Bank at 215.829.3218.

DonATE BLooD. Please.

Summer is the most challenging time of the year to collect blood for patients. Pennsylvania Hospital — and indeed other hospitals throughout the Delaware valley — is feeling the effects of the summer trend. Blood donations have dropped significantly in the past few weeks and a blood shortage has been declared.

The shortage is felt all across the country. Did you know that every two seconds, someone in America needs blood? Every day, 34,000 donations are needed to help save the lives of cancer patients, trauma victims and children with blood disorders in the united States. yet a little goes a long way as just one pint of blood can help save as many as three lives.

our hospital plays an important part in a nationwide effort to increase blood donations. But we need your help. your participation — which takes less than an hour — can have a significant life saving impact.

Keep Active – Earn Points! Penn Medicine Hospitals Recognized

among Nation’s Top Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report

WHAT’SnewedITORIAL STAff Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications

Olivia fermano Editor and Photographer

pamela furches design Graphic Design

Barry Ogburn Photography

AdMInISTRATIOnSusan e. phillips Senior vice President, Public Affairs

COnTACT WHAT’Snew at: Department of Communications Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19106

phone: 215.829.6799 email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu

WHAT’Snew is published biweekly for PAH employees. Access WHAT’Snew online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.

WHAT’SnewedITORIAL STAff Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications

Olivia fermano Editor and Photographer

pamela furches design Graphic Design

Barry Ogburn Photography

AdMInISTRATIOnSusan e. phillips Senior vice President, Public Affairs

COnTACT WHAT’Snew at: Department of Communications Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19106

phone: 215.829.6799 email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu

WHAT’Snew is published biweekly for PAH employees. Access WHAT’Snew online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.

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WHAT’S Happening y o u R R E S o u R C E f o R E v E n T S A n D H A P P E n I n G S T H R o u G H o u T PA H A n D P E n n m E D I C I n E

for complete events listing, please visit What’s New on the Inside Penn Medicine web site at: http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside

JuLy-September

edITORIAL STAff Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications

Olivia fermano Editor and Photographer

pamela furches design Graphic Design

Barry Ogburn Photography

AdMInISTRATIOnSusan e. phillips Senior vice President, Public Affairs

COnTACT WHAT’Snew at: Department of Communications Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19106

phone: 215.829.6799 email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu

WHAT’Snew is published biweekly for PAH employees. Access WHAT’Snew online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.

WHAT’Snew

August 30PAH American Red Cross Blood Drive

September 14Colon Cancer Alliance’s Philadelphia undy 5000

October 12The Parkinson Council’s 12th Annual STAmP ouT Parkinson’s Walk

October 18 PPmC’s 2013 Cultural Diversity Conference

October 26Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Annual “Light the night” Walk

November 2“Periop Jam 2013” – 4th Annual PPmC nursing Perioperative Conference

November 3national Brain Tumor Society Race for Hope 5K Walk/Run

November 9, 20132013 Penn medicine Heart Walk

September 22Penn’s Second Annual 5K for the IoA and memory mile

September 232013 PAH Auxiliary Golf Tournament

September 28-29uPHS/Penn 2013 mS City to Shore Ride

“Most Wired” Health Care Orgs in uS

Penn medicine was recently recognized as one of the “most Wired” health care organizations in the uS. This prestigious award, sponsored by Hospitals and Health Networks Magazine, recognizes uS hospitals and health systems for excellence in information technology by measuring their level of information technology adoption throughout their organization.

for Penn medicine, the award highlights the successful efforts of many people who implement and leverage technology to improve the care provided to our patients. In recent years, these efforts included the introduction of an integrated ambulatory electronic medical record and practice management solution among all physician practices, deployment of an inpatient clinical documentation solution and the most recent activation of an integrated operating room management system.

The award also recognizes the benefits associated with the deployment and adoption of these new technologies. once again, Penn medicine is recognized as an industry technology leader through the deployment of disease specific surveillance solutions, clinical decision support, clinical alerts, and real time patient safety and quality dashboards.

The technical efforts associated with attaining such an award are significant. The Penn medicine Information Services Infrastructure, Application and Project management office representatives have worked tirelessly to ensure stability in these patient centric solutions. Equally important is the operational participation and commitment provided by the user community to ensure these technologies are designed and implemented in a manner that will fit with their clinical workflow and drive ongoing benefits. This teamwork between Information Services and operations has become a cornerstone for success across Penn medicine.

In upcoming years, Penn medicine seeks to drive further integration of patient data through the deployment of additional common systems. This strategy will provide our clinicians with more integrated data and advanced support for a patient’s continuum of care throughout the ambulatory,

inpatient and homecare environments.

penn med one of the