eFocus – August 2022
Welcome to eFocus. Our goal is to provide you with timely, informative and useful short summaries and links about UM UCH related news, issues, or events. Feel free to contact us if you have news to share, story ideas or any other feedback. As always, your comments are welcome.
eFocus, August 2022 topics include:
- Welcome Message
- Announcements
- COVID Updates
- Safety Updates
- Empathy & Wellness Updates
- Upcoming Meetings and Events
We started the new fiscal year and have seen some positive accomplishments that we need to celebrate. Because of our frontline nurses, physicians and APPs, and the commitment to Back to Basics (B2B), we have seen an incredible decrease in our HAIs, increase in our patient experience scores, and a decrease in our harm events. Check out this graph as it tells an incredible story of our commitment to patient safety.
I must announce the departure of Rebecca Adelman, Director of Medical Staff Strategic Support. Rebecca’s last day is August 1, 2022 and she will soon be working at a value-based firm called Concerto. She was a key member of our COVID incident command team and an invaluable leader of medical staff initiatives and HMH transitions. She is a dear friend to myself and many of you. She will be missed; but instead of goodbye, will say hasta luego (see you later).
We have always said healthcare changes and we will surely be in for another tumultuous year; however, we must remain focused and relentless on our patients and community. They depend on us and we need to be there for them. There are success stories and great accomplishments that we need to build on. I appreciate all of you for helping us along this journey. Enjoy the rest of your summer, everyone!
Senior Vice President/CMO
Medical Staff Affairs
New Chief Nursing Officer: UM UCH welcomes Michelle D’Alessandro, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, as its new Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) effective August 15. Michelle comes to us from Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where she has continually taken on increased areas of responsibility since 2016 and at Johns Hopkins Medicine since 2012.
She has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Maryland School of Nursing, a Master’s Degree in Management of Health Care Systems from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Villanova University. Michelle’s prior role as Senior Director of Nursing included expanded responsibility of the Pediatric ED, Pediatric inpatient, NICU, Labor and Delivery, Obstetrics Acute and Newborn Nursery. Additionally, Michelle was responsible for the operational outcomes of the Division of Medicine inclusive of three general medicine floors, 2 ICU’s, 1 step-down/IMC, Detox Unit, Observation Unit, Cath Lab and Endoscopy. She has deep experience in maintaining high performance metrics and collaborating and implementing improved clinical programs. Additionally, Michelle has taught at the University level and received awards for her work in patient safety and nursing excellence.
A Forest Hill resident, Michelle is an avid runner and sports enthusiast who loves going to the movies and enjoys a good restaurant.
FY23 Annual Operating Plan: Please review and familiarize yourself with the annual operating plan (AOP) for fiscal year 2023. You will see the UMMS strategic priorities along with their outcome metrics. These objectives include: safety and quality; patient engagement; access to care; workforce and culture; system integration; value-based care; and financial health.
New UMMS Unified Sepsis Definition: As we announced last month, UMMS and UCH have adopted a clinically-based definition of sepsis that has now been endorsed by the CMO/CNO Council and UMMS Quality Board. The definition includes sepsis and septic shock. The term, severe sepsis, has been removed from the lexicon of international sepsis guidelines. On August 8th, our clinical documentation integrity team will start querying our providers based on this new definition. Our providers should link SEPSIS diagnosis to organ dysfunction AND infection. Example: “Sepsis as evidenced by acute kidney injury due to Pneumococcal pneumonia”. Please use this Epic SmartPhrase to streamline your sepsis documentation “.SepsisDx”.
The most up-to-date information and growing list of FAQs about the UMMS Sepsis Program can be found at UMMS Sepsis Program.
Dr. Gonze, Lifesaver: On the morning of Thursday, June 21, a rollover crash on I-95 near Havre de Grace was serious enough that multiple people were injured and several lanes were closed. Dr. Mark Gonze, who was on the road at that time, pulled over, performed CPR and stabilized those individuals in need. He is truly a lifesaver!
Construction Updates: Progress continues in Aberdeen, particularly in the Health and Wellness Center (the official name of the existing medical office building). Currently open and operating in this space include:
- Upper Chesapeake Orthopaedic Specialty Group
- Upper Chesapeake Cardiology
- Upper Chesapeake Primary Care
- Upper Chesapeake Endocrinology
- Upper Chesapeake Hematology and Oncology
To stay updated on future openings (including Rehabilitation and Wound) and advancements, visit www.umuch.org/whatsopen. And, as a reminder, our free-standing medical facility, Aberdeen Medical Center, is expected to fully open by fall 2023.
Med Staff Headshots: Are you a new APP at UM UCH and in need of a professional headshot? Or are you a physician who hasn't had an updated photo in over 10 years? We will be offering an onsite photo session with a photographer and backdrop in late September, but we won't book her until we've gauged your interest.
Department of Medicine Spotlight: If you utilize LinkedIn, please check out the Department of Medicine Spotlight. Our new Dept. of Medicine Chair, Dr. Vivek Dhruva, started this as a way to showcase his colleagues. First up is Dr. Mitika Maddula, part of the Upper Chesapeake Cardiology team. Board certified in cardiology, cardiac CT, nuclear cardiology and echocardiology, Dr. Maddula enjoys reading, traveling and crafting outside of work. Take a look at some of her crafty creations!
New Additions to Medical Staff: Welcome to the newest members of our medical staff, including physicians and advanced practice providers. Over the last month, 23 individuals have joined us! To learn more about our individual providers, visit umms.org/findadoctor.
Dr. Leo's COVID Corner: View this month's full library of articles and resources HERE. Topics include: the association between maternal vaccination and reduced risk of hospitalization; liver manifestation in children with long COVID; rheumatic conditions in patients a year after COVID; and more.
ZERO HAIs for 74 Days: Look at the amazing work our team achieved: 74 days with no HAIs! It shows that it is possible when we work together. And a huge shout out to Colleen Clay and the IP team for making education fun and engaging, and introducing us to CLABSI Crusher!
Clinical Pathways Performance: Please review the following presentation that highlights how we achieved our optimum FY22 goals for all clinical pathways implemented. For FY23 we will continue to push to improve our performance and outcomes for our patients.
HAI Factoids: Did you know that in 2005, UCH had 82 HAI C. difficile cases versus just 7 in FY2022? Learn more tidbits, and other "fun" facts, here.
Join the Walk with a Doc Bel Air chapter to improve community health! The Bel Air WWAD chapter was started by Dr. Marie Kanagie-McAleese in October 2021, and meets on the first Sunday and second Saturday of every month at 10 am at Schucks Regional Park (301 Schucks Rd, Bel Air MD 21015). Events are free and open to all ages and abilities! Each walk starts with a brief talk on a health topic followed by a walk around the park at each participant’s preferred pace.
We are looking for providers to spread the word to patients, colleagues, and friends, give a brief talk at the beginning of a walk, or simply show your support by walking with us. For more information, visit the WWAD website or contact Dr. Kanagie-McAleese at mkanagie@umm.edu / 443-485-1110. Walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity, and research has shown that you could gain two hours of life for each hour of regular exercise. Come out and join us as we take a step toward better health!
Physician Support Line: The Physician Support Line is a free, confidential peer support line staffed by volunteer psychiatrists helping physician colleagues navigate the many intersections of their personal and professional lives. For support, please call 1-888-409-0141, 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST. You can also visit www.physiciansupportline.com to learn more.
Mark your calendars for important standing meetings and special events.
- Walk with a Doc
First Sunday and second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m.
Shucks Regional Park
Walk with a Doc is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve health through physical activity, strengthen relationships between physicians and patients, and provide access to health information and education. Events are free and open to all ages and abilities! Each walk starts with a brief talk on a health topic followed by a walk around the park at each participant’s preferred pace. Learn more. - Multidisciplinary Thoracic and General Conferences: 12 Noon, Alternates Every Thursday (e.g., Thoracic is 11/3, General is 11/10)
UM UCMC, KCC Streett Conference Room - Multidisciplinary Breast Conference: 8 a.m., Every Tuesday
Radiology/Oncology Conference Room - Pharmacy &Therapeutics (P & T) Committee: 7:30 a.m., Third Tuesday of each month
UM UCMC Maryland Room - Credentials Committee: 7:30 - 9 a.m., First Friday of each month
UM UCMC, MSCR - Medical Staff Leadership: 8 - 9 a.m., Fourth Thursday of each month
UM UCMC, Fallston Room/UM HMH, MSCR -
Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Committee: 5 p.m., Quarterly, Wednesdays
HMH MSCR and UCMC Fallston Room -
Advanced Practice Providers (APP) Review Committee: First Tuesday of each month