10 years

Diana Coronado

 Vicki McCoy

Stacy Leija 

Jacqueline Luke

15 Years

Maria Martinez

(4-22-13) - The Wound Care CME and CNE programs that are posted on the Computer Learning Portal (CLP) will be expiring next week, April 30, 2013.  To view these programs before they expire, please click here to access the CLP.

Attention All Providers:  6 hours of CME

Wound Care in the Correctional Environment - 6 Part Series

Healthcare providers practicing in the correctional setting will gain competencies in effectively preventing, triaging and treating wounds through these enduring web-based educational programs developed by the CMC Wound Care Committee.            

These six individual self-study modules have been developed by experts in the field of treating offender patients with a variety of wounds within the correctional setting.   The activity is designed for the participant to complete the educational program at his or her own pace. 

Registration: Computer Learning Portal  http://clpweb.utmb.edu/

Target Audience: Physicians and Mid-level Providers

Duration of Credit Offering: April 30, 2012 to April 30, 2013

Credits Available: The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston designates this enduring material for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians and mid-level providers should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity

Overall Course Objectives: Upon completing the course, participants should be able to:

     1.      Develop wound prevention strategies for at-risk patients.

     2.      Categorize the wound based on wound appearance, patient characteristics, and risk factors.

     3.      Design a successful treatment plan based on the wound type and wound bed appearance.

     4.      Ensure timely referral to a Wound Care Specialist when necessary.

Course Outline: Taking all 6 courses is NOT mandatory.  The provider is allowed to take as many courses he or she chooses in any particular order. 

Wound Care Committee:  Click Here

For any questions regarding the credit of the activity, please contact Paula Ewald at pewald@utmb.edu. 

For technical assistance, please contact Sherry Williford at sdwillif@utmb.edu. 

Accreditation Statement:  The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians

ATTENTION ALL NURSING STAFF ~ 7.5 Hours of CNE  Wound Care in Corrections

Correctional Nurses participating will gain competencies in effectively preventing, triaging and treating wounds through the educational programs developed by the CMC Wound Care Committee.  

This is six individual self-study modules developed by experts in the field of treating offender patients with a variety of wounds within corrections.   The activity is designed for the participant to complete the educational program at their own pace.  The Wound Care Committee within Correctional Managed Care prepared this course in a web based format as a result of limited budgets for traveling to a live course.

Duration of Credit Offering:  Activity Release Date: April 30, 2012 – Expiration Date: April 30, 2013.

Registration: Log into the CLP to complete all six self-study modules.     

Click here to log in to the CLP.  

Target Audience: Registered Nurses and other health care professionals providing care for patients with wounds.

Disclosures:  Included in each individual module.

Wound Care Committee:  Click Here

Technical Assistance: Contact Sherry Williford via email sdwillif@utmb.edu    Questions Regarding CNE Credit, please contact Beth Pipkin mbosaile@UTMB.EDU

Overall module objectives: Upon completing the course, participants should be able to:

1.      Identify risk factors and methods to prevent common wounds.

2.      Accurately and consistently assess various types of wounds.

3.      Accurately and consistently document various types of wounds.

4.      Differentiate various types of wounds and the underlying etiology.

5.      Recognize appropriate treatment modalities based on wound bed description.

Course Requirements for CNE credit:

To receive contact hours for this continuing education activity, the participant must:

·     Read each educational module and successfully pass the post-test at the end of each section.

·     Achieve a score of 80% or greater on each post-test (participants will be given three attempts per post-test.)

·     Complete the Evaluation form at the end of each module and the final overall evaluation at the end.

·     Once completion has been verified for each module, a “Statement of Successful Completion” will be awarded for 1.25 contact hours. The participant will be able to print the verification of completion.

Instructions:

1.  Click here to access the presentation.

2.  Selection of titles may be made in any order.

·     Disclosures will be provided for review at the beginning of each presentation.

·     Review the presentation.

·     Complete the evaluation form and post-test at the conclusion of each module.

3.  Continuing Nursing Education Credits

·     Participant will receive 1.25 CNE contact hours for each module successfully completed.

·     Completion of the post-test at the conclusion of each module is required and a score of 80% or greater must be achieved.

·     If a passing score is not achieved, the participant will be informed of the questions missed and then routed back to review the material.

Module Agenda

Module 1 - Wound Care Basics (Intro to Wound Care)

Content Author: Cynthia Ho, MD, MPH, CWS

Course Description:  This presentation will provide an introduction to basic wound care to include assessment of a wound, recognition of factors that may affect wound healing and a discussion of tissue debridement.

By the end of this self-study module, the participant will be able to:

·     Review anatomy and physiology of the skin

·     Recognize factors that may affect wound healing

·     Describe assessment of a wound

·     Select proper dressing for wound care as per protocol

Module 2 - Arterial Insufficiency (Peripheral Arterial Disease)

Content Author: Mary Gotcher, FNP, RN / Co-Author: Neha Madhani, PharmD, BCPS

Course Description:  This presentation will provide an overview of risk factors, signs, symptoms and alternative treatments for arterial insufficiency.

By the end of this self-study module, the participant will be able to:

·     Recall 5 risk factors of Arterial Insufficiency

·     Recognize signs and symptoms of Arterial Insufficiency

·     Describe wound characteristics of an arterial wound

·     Understand the use of the ABI tool

·     Discuss treatment alternatives

Module 3 - Neuropathic Wounds (Diabetic Foot Ulcers)

Content Author: Kokila Naik, MD

Course Description:  This presentation will provide an overview of risk factors for neuropathic wounds as well as how to prevent the wounds. Information will also be provided regarding the categorization of neuropathic wounds with use of a grading scale.

By the end of this self-study module, the participant will be able to:

·     Demonstrate the pathogenesis and role of diabetes mellitus in causing neuropathic wounds

·     Identify risk factors for neuropathic wounds

·     Categorize neuropathic wounds by using a grading scale

·     Demonstrate how to prevent neuropathic wounds

Module 4 - Pressure Wounds

Content Author:   Cynthia Ho, MD, MPH, CWS / Co-Author: Sue Kantz, LVN          

Course Description:  This presentation will provide a review of utilization of the Braden Scale for predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk in all high risk patients and outline a plan to prevent pressure ulcers with high risk patients. Information will be presented on the use of proper wound care agents appropriately to prevent pressure ulcers.

By the end of this self-study module, the participant will be able to:

·     Identify patients at high risk for developing pressure ulcers

·     Utilize the Braden Scale for predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk in all high risk patients

·     Outline a plan to prevent pressure ulcers with each high risk patient

·     Utilize wound care agents appropriately to prevent pressure ulcers

Module 5 - Surgical Wounds

Content Author:   Katherine Pearson, FNP, RN

Course Description:  This presentation will provide an overview of factors that may affect wound healing and describe possible complications and interventions for surgical wounds.

By the end of this self-study module, the participant will be able to:

·     Recall 3 types of wound closure

·     Recognize factors that may affect wound healing

·     Describe possible complications and interventions for surgical wounds

·     Discuss 6 types of tissue debridement

Module 6 - Venous Insufficiency Ulcers

Content Author:   Cheryl Egan, PA-C, MS, BA

Course Description:  This presentation will provide an overview of the etiology and risk factors contributing to venous insufficiency ulcers. Information will be provided on recognizing typical characteristics of venous insufficiency ulcers.

By the end of this self-study module, the participant will be able to:

·     Describe the etiology of venous insufficiency ulcers

·     Identify the risk factors contributing to venous insufficiency ulcers

·     Recognize the typical characteristics of venous insufficiency ulcers

·     Illustrate the keys to local wound care for patients with venous insufficiency ulcers

·     Select appropriate wound care dressings for the management of venous insufficiency ulcers as per protocol

·     Demonstrate appropriate use of compression therapy in the treatment of venous insufficiency ulcers

Accreditation Statement:  University of Texas Medical Branch – Correctional Managed Care, an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Texas Nurses Association, is an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.  

UTMB/CMC staff and physicians work wonders for victims around the state 

True to form, UTMB staff and physicians have once again gone "above and beyond" to provide extraordinary care for patients in the midst of extraordinary circumstances. Members of our UTMB family responded valiantly this week to help those wounded in the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas and in a refinery fire in Beaumont.

Two of our Correctional Managed Care nurses, Stefanie Woosley and Katherine Vrba, who work and live in the West area, were part of the first responder team for the fertilizer plant explosion, working triage through the night of Wednesday, April 17.

That same day, seven victims from a fire at a Beaumont refinery were brought to UTMB’s Galveston campus — four in critical condition, three in serious condition. Throughout that afternoon and evening, our physicians and staff worked tirelessly to ensure these patients received the best possible care.

I'd like to share an inspiring account of just some of the amazing "above and beyond'' efforts of our UTMB family, as related by Clinical Operations Administrator Christina Myers, who was on duty when these patients arrived.

"Most days, we are challenged with many incoming admissions. Some are planned and others are unexpected. Wednesday we were asked to take on the care of seven unexpected patients needing our expertise and help. While this is not the first time we have joined together and faced a busy day, Wednesday deserved special recognition. I just wanted to take a moment to extend my thanks and respect to several areas/individuals who were shining stars in this week’s success. Thank you to:

·        Carrla Ellyson and the TDCJ ICU staff who, despite unexpected admissions of their own, somehow found a way to accept a patient from the burn unit at a moment’s notice. Their willingness to accommodate this extra patient ensured we had an available bed in the burn unit. Also I must thank Oyebamiji Adebayo and Diane Fontenot in TDC bed placement for their assistance with patient movement. Their work was pivotal in making the necessary moves despite their already busy workload.  

·        The ER staff who worked tirelessly in their provision of care in the ER and coordinated with me to determine placement needs and arrival times. I could not have asked for a better outcome than the flow that happened with each of the incoming patients. Their work, as always, was exceptional.

·        The SICU staff, including Lee Alviza who quickly moved patients to accommodate overflow Blocker Burn Unit ICU needs, rapid response admissions and numerous OR admissions. Their willingness and ability to handle their patient needs and flow never ceases to astound me.  

·        Susan Court and the MICU staff, who rearranged assignments and floated to assist other ICUs with additional admissions. Their actions reminded me that despite unit boundaries, we are all one under the UTMB team umbrella. I must also extend a special thank you to Susan Court and Bennie Victor who offered assistance to the Blocker Burn Unit and the SICU during the busiest of times.

·        Brenda K. Mears and the housekeeping staff who coordinated all the bed cleans to ensure the rooms were ready for the arrival of our new patients. 

·        The Respiratory Department who assisted in transport, vent set ups, and even room preparation.

·        The 7C staff who efficiently expedited discharges and accepted multiple admissions at the same time from the ER, BBU, OR and the clinics to ensure all our patients' needs were met.

·        Patient Placement Center— need I say more! Every time I stand in the PPC for one moment, I am amazed at the job these employees do. Wednesday was a true testament to their abilities.

·        Finally to the Blocker Burn Unit and nurse manager Jamie Heffernan; Jamie has always been an exceptional individual in her ability to change hats. In the past she has assisted the unit, no matter the hour, to ensure her patients received needed care. Wednesday, she rallied her team and worked side by side with her staff to tub each patient as soon as they were cleared through the ER. There was not a single patient delayed in receiving care. I am simply unable to find the words to properly applaud the burn team. Please know they each have my admiration and respect.

I know this list is long and I am certain there were others I failed to mention. While I am always proud to work at UTMB, Wednesday reminded me how truly blessed I am to work here—with exceptional individuals who put our patients first. To each of you, please accept my most sincere thanks for the work you do and the performance you gave. Many more than the seven patients I referenced benefitted from your care. You were each shining examples of UTMB and the care we provide."

On behalf of our entire UTMB community, I want to express heartfelt thanks to everyone who provided extraordinary service to people in need during particularly challenging situations on our Galveston campus and in West, Texas. We know there are many more examples of amazing patient care that occurred that day — and that occur every day — which is why each of us can take immense pride in being part of this outstanding institution.

Sincerely,

David L. Callender
President

Dear UTMB CMC Employees:

Effective September 01, 2013, UTMB CMC will implement an electronic time capture program.  Therefore, during the upcoming months, you will see a significant change in our time capture process within UTMB CMC.  We believe these changes will result in many positive changes surrounding time capture and will ensure that all time is collected accurately and correctly.

In order to assist with this transition, the following actions will occur during the upcoming months:

-I.T. Services will check UTMB CMC’s Kronos time machines to ensure that all are in proper working condition;

-I.T. Services will ensure the proper operations of the Kronos time machines before implementation of the electronic time capture program;

-I.T. Services will work with Facility Leaders/TDCJ Leadership to move time machines to the Medical Departments; and

-UTMB CMC’s Human Resources Department will create and disseminate a new time sheet which will be the only authorized time sheet for UTMB CMC employees to use.

Therefore, effective June 01, 2013, all official CMC time capture will be completed only on the authorized time sheet in the Medical Departments.  Additionally, staff will be required to log in and out for lunch or specifically state that no lunch was taken with appropriate supervisory approval.

Please note that unit-based employees will still be required to complete the TDCJ sign-in sheets at the front of the units to comply with TDCJ policy.  However, for purposes of recording compensable time and actual hours worked, UTMB CMC time will start when employees log in and out in the Medical Departments.*

Once the time machines are installed and tested in the Medical Departments, only UTMB CMC overtime eligible employees will utilize the time machines.   All other employees (Non Teaching, A&P and classified exempt-non-overtime eligible) will have time entry by exception implemented.**  Until instructed, all time will continue to be completed via time sheets.

While change is always challenging, ensuring the accurate collection of time and the appropriate renumeration of staff members is extremely important.  Thus, our commitment to moving forward with an electronic time capture program within UTMB CMC’s medical facilities is our first priority.  Therefore, UTMB CMC’s Human Resources Department and Operations Leadership will develop and implement training and guidelines regarding the new time capture process within UTMB CMC to help move through this process change for all involved. *Employees will be granted 7 minutes from the front gate to the Medical Departments both signing into the Medical Departments and signing out of the Medical Departments.

**All time for all other employees (Non Teaching, A&P and classified exempt-non-overtime eligible) will be loaded as 40 hours per week.  Furthermore, they must submit an approved leave request for vacation, sick leave, etc to the timekeeper for proper record keeping and time adjustments.

(4-16-13) - On April 1^st, 2013, the Lopez/Segovia complex happily welcomed our new Senior Practice Manager, Ms. Tanya Lawson, with a luncheon of sandwiches and desserts. On April 11^th, she was welcomed to the Willacy unit with a tostada luncheon. Ms. Lawson comes to us from having recently completed her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Ashford University Online.  Prior to that, she had over nine years of experience as a store manager at Walgreen’s. Ms. Lawson received her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Equine Studies and Business from William Woods University. She has jumped into action and is learning the functions of her new position very quickly. We all appreciate her presence and we welcome her to the Valley!

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Ryan, Dental Manager, Dr. Mercado, Medical Director, Ms. Yarbrough, Mental Health Manager, Ms. Lawson, Senior Practice Manager, Mr. Garza, Cluster Nurse Manager.

(4-16-13) - Please join us in welcoming these new employees to Correctional Managed Care Region 3 – Houston District.

L-R – James Davis – Nurse Clinician III at Carole Young, Shawna Benge – Patient Care Technician at Carole Young and  Latrina Spurlock – Vocational Nurse at Ramsey

(4-15-13) - Please join us in welcoming our newest employees to Correctional Managed Care Region II – Palestine.

L-R:  Andrea Waymire, CMA, Coffield; Angela Warren, NCIII, Powledge; Brianna Lively, LVN, Cole; Sharon Bristow, LVN, Telford.

(4-15-13) - Please welcome the following new employees to UTMB/CMC, Region I (GV).

L to R:  Lloyd Walker - CCA - Dawson, Patricia Barrow - LVN - Crain, Sherri Barron - CMA - Hobby, Barbara LeCompte - CCA - Hilltop

(4-15-13) - Please join the Huntsville Area (Region 2) in welcoming the following employees to the exciting world of Correctional Managed Care. Front Row L-R: Catherine Arnold, Pharmacy Technologist/CMC Pharmacy and Aina Adu, CMA/Ellis. Back Row L-R: Charlotte Bussey, NC III/Estelle, Marquita Beasley, PCT I/Estelle, Amber Jenkins, PCT I/Estelle, Roy Castleberry, EMT III/PECC – Estelle, Lena Butts, PCT I/Estelle and Teresa Sager, PCT I/Estelle.

(4-15-13) - Please join UTMB Region I (San Antonio) in welcoming our latest new hires to UTMB Correctional Managed Care!  

March 25, 2013 – Tanya Lawson, Sr. Practice Manager/Segovia

April 8, 2013 – Annie McWilliams, CMA/McConnell; Jessica Villarreal, LVN/McConnell; Mary Cortinas, CMA/McConnell.    

(4-12-13) - Patch 18 will be deployed Sunday, April 14, 2013 to all TDCJ and TJJD Pearl computers.  This patch will fix the following issues:

1.      Chart – Will allow users to toggle using Alt-Tab between other applications and PEARL when the Chart is open.  This will also allow users to toggle between the chart and notebuilder using the bottom toolbar.

2.      Reminders Import – Import now takes into account reminder types that have been flagged as ‘INACTIVE’.  This will delete all inpatient reminders when the reminders are imported into the outpatient facility.  Therefore, the reminders MUST be imported in the outpatient facility BEFORE the inpatient reminders are created in the Infirmary facility.

Please leave computers powered on after you log off at the end of the day.  Thanks to everyone for your patience and assistance in testing these fixes.

(4-11-13) - Oral cancer kills roughly one person, every hour of every day in the United States.

Patients have a 90% survival rate when the oral cancer is found early.  

Regular dental examinations are essential in the fight against oral cancer.

(4-11-13) - UTMB CMC in collaboration with AIDS Education and Training Center is pleased to offer you an exciting educational opportunity. Our CME/CNE certified HIV Conference and Mini-Fellowship will be held May 6, 2013  - May 7, 2013, at Moody Gardens Conference Center in Galveston, Texas.

Sunday, May 5, 2013, we are offering an optional complimentary Welcome Dinner Reception at Landry's Seafood House for all attendees and speakers. There will be a short non-CE presentation on Women and HIV. This should provide a great opportunity to network with fellow employees across the state, as well as, with free world providers and our expert speakers!

The HIV Conference is all day on Monday May 6, 2013 at Moody Gardens Hotel and Conference Center. We have an exciting expert panel of Physicians, from across the US, speaking on HIV topics for all levels of care.

On May 7, 2013 there will be an opportunity to shadow our ID Specialists in providing patient care via Telehealth and actively participate in care decisions. This will be held at the Frost Bank Building in Galveston, Texas.

It is not mandatory to participate in both days. You will claim your CEs for the hours you participate. If you are not requesting CEs you will receive a letter of attendance for the hours attended.

Click Here to view the program brochure and registration information. 

(4-8-13) - There will be a scheduled PRS outage Tuesday, April 9^th, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 

This will affect all PRS users.

(4-8-13) - Hello again from your friendly neighborhood virologists, bringing you news from the world of virus (the ones that make you sick).

In this issue, we would like to keep you abreast of the changes that we have implemented and still implementing in the treatment of Hepatitis C.  Here they are:

1.       FRT (Fibrosis Routine Test) Score is a non-invasive way of gauging the extent of liver fibrosis in those with APRI between 0.4 to 1.2, the range in which there is uncertainty as to whether the benefits of treatment outweighs the potential harm of the therapy.  Until October, 2012, we were sending these patients to undergo liver biopsy if they are infected with HCV genotype 1.  Sometime in July, 2012, a study out of Egypt came up with a scoring technique with around 75% - 83% accuracy in predicting those whose liver has Early vs. Significant Fibrosis using a cut-off score of 4 for significant fibrosis,      5 for advanced fibrosis and 5.5 for cirrhosis.

a.      FRT score =  3.31 +[(AGE in years*0.09) + (APRI*1.5) + (AFP in U/L * 0.4) – (ALB in g/L * 0.14)]

b.      In our lab, the ALB is reported in mg/L so it needs to be multiplied by 10 prior to being plotted into the formula.

c.      We started using the scoring for ALL genotype since the goal of treatment is to decrease mortality and improve quality of life.  According to the AASLD guidelines, the difference in long-term consequence and mortality only starts when those patients with Significant Fibrosis or further progressed are treated whereas treating those with Early Fibrosis did not make any difference in their survival or quality of life.

2.      Liver biopsy – the procedure is now reserved for those with possible other causes of liver disease such as low ceruloplasmin and HIV or HBV co-infection, as the FRT score do not apply to co-infecteds.  The rule of treatment however holds true:  those with Early Stage Fibrosis (Ishak Stage 0-2) will merely be followed every 6 months and those with Significant Fibrosis (Ishak Stage 3 and higher) will be treated for as long as there are no contraindication to treatment.

3.      Liver imaging – usually an Ultrasound, is now reserved only for those with Advanced Fibrosis and Cirrhosis or a FRT score > 5 as the goal is to screen for liver mass that may be Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).  The incidence of HCC is higher by 10 % in those with Cirrhosis.  We screen those with scores of 5 and higher to account for the margin of error of the scoring system.  For those with AFP >60 or with rapid increase in their AFP, a Triple phase CT scan or MRI is ordered.  This hopefully will ease the congestion in the radiology referrals.  We encourage the Unit providers to initiate the order for liver U/S on those patients with elevated AFP’s even prior to them being seen in the HCV clinic to minimize delay in identifying patients with HCC.

4.      Ophthalmology Referrals – After an incident of an ophthalmologic complication wherein the patient developed blindness in 1 eye which was thought to be caused by Interferon, we started looking at the possible ophthalmic complications of the treatment.  We came across studies done by the Ophthalmology department of different Universities that agreed that there is about a 16% incidence of eye complications from the treatment especially for those older (Age > 50) with co-morbidities particularly HTN, DM and other eye disorders (Glaucoma, etc).  Thus, we are referring patients Age > 50 with HTN, DM or other Eye problems to Ophthalmology for baseline examination prior to starting treatment and q3 months follow-up .

5.      Vitamin B12 injections – We have added B12 injections in the treatment regimen on the strength of a study done in Italy showing improved SVR in genotype 1 and those with high viral loads, close to the results shown by the addition of INCIVEK or VICTRELIS to the standard treatment (what is being called the triple therapy).  The principle is the same, as INCIVEK or VICTRELIS both interfere with the ability of the HCV to multiply by targeting the NS3 protein of the virus, and Vitamin B12 also interferes with ability of the HCV to multiply by another mechanism, the IRES-dependent protein translation.  So, the new regimen all include monthly B12 injections at 5000 mcg in order to optimize the chances of success of the treatment.

6.      Earlier stopping rules – for HCV genotype 1, we have added a new stopping rule at week 4.  For those whose HCV RNA decrease by < 1 log, their chances of achieving SVR is less than 20% and are thus being discontinued from treatment as this therapy has its own set of complications.  Therefore, the less exposure for those patients less likely to succeed, the better for them.  The week 12 ( decrease of HCV RNA < 2 log) and week 24 (HCV RNA not U/D) stopping rules still hold true for those who continue treatment.

We appreciate all those Unit Providers, CID’s and CCA’s and PharmD’s who call to our attention those patients that are getting missed in the follow-up.   You make our lives easier and the quality of care we deliver, better.   Until next issue.      Click Here to print a copy of this article.

(4/5/13) - As the Pearl point of contact for your facility, please inform all staff that Patch 17 will be deployed Sunday, April 7, 2013. 

Patch 17 will fix the following issues:

1.      Fixed issue with Notebuilder menu items being cut off and ‘non-clickable’

2.      Fixed issue with Modify/Delete buttons on the Deleted/Completed Reminders screens being active when they should be greyed out.

3.      Added the ability to open .DOC and .DOCX documents from the Chart or e-mail.

4.      Fix date sort order in Vitals grid in Notebuilder.

5.      Fixed bug where new document templates were not being automatically loaded on the PC

6.      PATIENT_FACILITY table now being updated immediately when MRNs are changed so patient can be found in PRS.

7.      All TEMP files now being stored in the user’s private TEMP directory. RTF files deleted when PEARL closes.

8.      Added additional REMINDER_TYPES that will be deleted on Import:

SCR DENTAL S/C SCHEDULED (ATC 1& 2)

SCR MD/MLP REFERRAL FRM NSC (ATC 9)

SCR MH REFER FRM TRIAGE (ATC 6)

SCR MH REFER/SCHED (ATC 4 & 5)

SCR NURSING/MEDICAL SCHED (ATC 7 & 8)

P* (D0) REFERRAL TO DENTIST (ATC 3)

P* AD SEG (D0) REFERRAL TO DENTIST (ATC 3)

9.     Fixed issue with order-generated reminders raising an error, charge status cannot be updated, when being completed after import into a new facility.

10.   Fixed-room/bed issue. Discharging a patient was not clearing out the room. This was a field-length issue.

11.   Fixed print button on the Chart menu bar. It will now cause the document to be printed to the local Windows printer.

(4/5/13) - The Pam Lychner and Joe Kegans Employee of the Month for March was Ms. Mary Clarkson.   Ms. Clarkson is a Mental Health Clinician.  It is really a pleasure to have her in our organization. We appreciate her leadership skills and team building abilities, which have resulted in successful completion of various projects. All staff can attest to her performance and contribution to UTMB CMC, where she has shown honesty and commitment from day one. She is always willing to lend a hand.

Praise from her Supervisor, Ms. Kendra Phelps, Mental Health Manager:

“Ms. Clarkson is such a great part of our mental health team here at Lychner! She has exceptional clinical skills, and she is also a pleasure to work with! She manages a difficult Ad Seg population with ease, and most of the time she handles those first-thing-in-the-morning walk-ins, CDOs, and emergencies as well. Ms. Clarkson demonstrates superb organizational skills. She is dependable, efficient, and full of great ideas! She also has a fantastic sense of humor, which is a bonus! Thank you Ms. Clarkson for all of your hard work and dedication! We are very fortunate to have you here!”

Thank you for the awesome job you do and your contributions to Lychner/Kegans and UTMB CMC!

(4/5/13) - The Facility Management Team along with the Senior Warden Bryan Gordy would like to congratulate Lisha Marshburn, Dental Assistant as the employee of the month for the Luther Facility Medical Department.  Lisha has stepped in the last few months and volunteered as a motivating employee to provide the maintenance of our recognition board.  February was adorned with hearts, March brought on the pot of gold for the shamrocks, followed by an Easter theme with everyone having an individual name on an egg.  Everyone talks about the bulletin board and what is coming next.  Thank you Lisha for being an inspiration to staff!

(4/5/13) - Please join me in congratulating Laura McKnight in receiving her LPC license.  Laura is currently working in the High Security Pod at Jester IV as a Mental Health Clinician.  She was previously assigned to Diagnostic & Evaluation where she completed assessments and evaluations of patient arriving at Jester IV. She is a very talented clinician and has a keen eye for detail. She previously served as a practicum student at Jester IV while attending Houston Baptist University in graduate school.  She has an extensive criminal justice and military background prior to her work in UTMB.                      

(4/4/13) - Due to concerns regarding patient care if the sending facility deletes their pending reminders a week after the patient leaves, a report has been generated to show all patients who have a new unit of assignment, per the TDCJ mainframe, since 3/17/13 but still have reminders pending at a different facility.  Some of these could be crisis management patients or transients but all are on this report for the facility's review.

Click Here to view the report.

If your facility has not implemented a process for importing reminders, the process needs to be implemented immediately.  If there are any questions, please contact either Paula Mason at pjmason@utmb.edu or Nina Cooper at ngcooper@utmb.edu. 

(4/4/13) - We are receiving multiple complaints from facilities that have chained out offenders but continue to see their pending reminders.  This is causing major problems in the facility’s scheduling processes.

The reminder import process will NOT work unless everyone participates. Importing reminders should be incorporated as part of the Chain In process, once the offender has physically arrived at the new UOA.  There should be a staff member specifically assigned at each facility to see that this process is being accomplished.

The facilities that still have reminders pending a week after chain out have been advised to delete those reminders. 

There is a new Reminder Import Log report showing facilities that have been importing reminders.

OFFENDER RECORD REVIEWS, RELEASE OF OFFENDER INFORMATION, EMERGENCY RECORD and AFTER HOURS DOCUMENTS FOR…
EMR Record Review Reports

If your facility has not started using the new Reminder Import Process  and needs directions, please go to the SOP link on CMCWEB and review the SOP titled “REMINDERS IMPORT PROCESS”.  If further assistance/explanation is needed please do not hesitate to contact Nina Cooper (ngcooper@utmb.edu) or Paula Mason (pjmason@utmb.edu).

(4/3/13) - Since October of 2012, healthcare workers who did not receive the influenza vaccine for 2012/2013 have been required to wear surgical masks when providing care for patients.  The 2012/2013 influenza season in Texas is now coming to an end, and there have been no cases of influenza diagnosed at UTMB during  the last week.  Therefore, it will no longer be required that healthcare workers who did not take the 2012/2013 influenza vaccine wear surgical masks when providing patient care effective April 8, 2013. 

(4/3/13) - The TH 7-Telehealth Specialty Care (Presenter Duties) has been made available on the CLP.  Please note, it can take from 1-3 minutes for the program to open.  Watch your status bar for download progression.

(4/3/13) - We are very excited to announce Tiffany Carter, CCA as Employee of the Quarter.  Tiffany is very dependable, diplomatic, determined, dedicated and a dynamic employee who has demonstrated excellence in all assigned tasks.  She has contributed immensely to the department. 

Thank you Tiffany for all you do!!