in the know - Genesys Regional Medical Center

inkin
the
know
A weekly publication for Genesys Employees, Physicians and Volunteers
Vol. 17, No. 05
February 2, 2011

Genesys already is nationally acknowledged for our
quality and clinical excellence. We also are known for
our commitment to safety, AND we’re committed to
doing even better.
Genesys is on a journey to become a High Reliability
Organization (HRO), which means creating a
systemwide culture that prevents or reduces errors, and
effectively responds if errors occur. This requires systems
and processes that promote safe behaviors that allow for
quick recoveries from errors and encourage ongoing
learning.
When it comes to patient safety events and taking action
at Genesys, Charles Husson, DO, medical director of
Patient Safety, was one of the first individuals to conduct
an analysis of what and why something happened.
Dr. Husson works with a team to determine the root
cause of the safety event, to develop lessons learned
from the event, and to improve or put processes in place
to make sure events like that never happen again.
The safety team at Genesys follows five key principles
of HROs:
1. Obsessed with Failure: This is not a bad thing!
It’s really about putting systems in place to keep
track of all errors and small problems, and quickly
responding to them before they become bigger
problems.
:
Leading the principles
of High Reliability
2. Nothing is that simple: We have to remember that safety
events are complex, nuanced and can have a domino effect.
Therefore, it’s important to avoid the tendency to
oversimplify the explanation of how and why events
occurred.
3. Be sensitive to operations: It’s important to pay attention to
frontline operations.
4. Be resilient: “To err is human.” Accepting that human error
and unexpected events are going to happen and developing
the ability – as an organization – to contain and bounce
back quickly and effectively from an event are very important.
5. Turn to the Experts: The people who work closest to
where an event occurred are likely to know best about how
and why it occurred, so turn to people who have the clues
and answers to the problem at hand.
With the principles of HRO in mind, Dr. Husson is now blazing
a trail to lead Genesys and all of Ascension Health. Recently, he
was named a co-chair for the national HRO steering committee
for all of Ascension Health.
He’s not the only one carrying the torch for Genesys. In
mid-January, Genesys hosted a two-day intensive HRO training
course for Ascension leaders and physicians throughout
Michigan. All of the senior leaders of Genesys went through this
course. As a result, a plan is being developed for spreading the
teachings and principles of HROs to reach all associates
systemwide over the next 18 months. Stay turned for more
details as we progress!
Faces of Genesys
On the cover of this week’s INK:
Theresa Martin,
Pharmacy employee at Health Park.
Help a fellow employee
Did you know the Genesys Friendship
Fund was created by Genesys employees,
volunteers and physicians to help each
other in times of need? For more
information on how you can donate to
this worthwhile program, visit:
www.genesyshealthfoundation.org.
Daffodil Days’ sale returns to Genesys
Once again, Genesys will sell daffodils to support the American Cancer Society in its
efforts to find a cure for cancer. Daffodils – one of the first flowers of spring –
symbolize hope for cancer patients. Contributions from Daffodil Days are used for
cancer research, education, advocacy campaigns, and services that will improve the
quality of life for cancer patients and their families.
At Genesys, employees can purchase daffodils outside the Health Park cafeteria from
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3 and 17, Monday, Feb. 28 and Tuesday,
March 1. Cost is $10 for a bunch of 10; and $5 for a vase.
Pick up date for daffodils at Health Park is Thursday, March 17. Deadline for orders
is Thursday, March 3. Staff from Genesys Convalescent Center, Genesys Hillside
Center, East Flint Campus and West Flint Campus can purchase daffodils by calling
Cindy Bruett at 603-8682.
Learn about VisionScape: visit the intranet homepage.

World Day of the Sick is Feb. 11
Since 1992, the Catholic Church has commemorated World Day of the Sick on
Feb. 11 — the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. World Day of the Sick has three
consistent themes: it reminds the faithful to pray for those who are sick, it invites
Christians to reflect on and respond to human suffering, and it recognizes and honors
all persons who work in health care and serve as caregivers.i
Social Security deductions decrease in 2011
Social Security taxes deducted from your check are 4.2% for 2011 – down from 6.2%
in 2010. This decrease for one year was part of the tax relief bill that Congress passed
in the last few days of 2010.for m
Let the Health Park cafeteria cater your Superbowl party!
Everything you need for your Super Bowl Party menu is available from the
cafeteria! The following items will be available in “to go” containers on
Thursday, Feb. 3 and Friday, Feb. 4, while supplies last:
• Savory Swedish meatballs
• Sweet BBQ mini franks
• Roasted herb chicken wings
• Homemade spinach artichoke dip with Pumpernickel bread bowl
• Homemade spaghetti salad
• Homemade red skin potato salad
• Superbowl football cookies
Coming soon: special valentine cookies and desserts!
Cafeteria survey now underway, please participate
The Food and Nutrition department’s bi-annual online survey to rate customer
experience and food quality is now underway. The survey will continue through
Friday, Feb. 4. Those who complete the survey and supply their name and contact
information will be eligible to win one of several “Pepsi Max” t-shirts. ore
Congratulations on your achievement
Carol Watkins, administrative Laboratory director, has been appointed to the national
Joint Commission Laboratory Administrative Advisory Council.
Bobby Mukkamala, MD, ENT, was named president of the Genesee County Medical
Society. He is the youngest president in the history of the medical society.
Dhiraj Bedi, DO, family practitioner, was named Inpatient Utilization Review Medical
Director for the Genesys PHO.
Prabhat Pokhrel, MD, family practitioner; along with Jason McHugh, DO, family
medicine resident graduate; Guozhen Liu, MD, assistant director of Family Medicine;
and Kim Barber, PhD; director of the Office of Research; received the “Journal
Article of the Year” award for their article entitled “Beta blockers in the management of
cardiovascular diseases.”
Genesys offers class on preventing diabetes
The three day course takes place Tuesdays – Feb. 8, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 – from 3 p.m.
to 5 p.m., at Genesys Diabetes and Nutrition Learning Center. The class covers:
learning how to reduce the risk of diabetes, understanding the implications of elevated
blood sugar, nutrition, benefits of physical activity and obstacles to maintaining a
lifestyle that will prevent diabetes. Cost is $35. Call 606-7720 to sign up.
Values
Reflection
Prayer for the sick
As you enter this place, may you feel
the care of God's own great heart.
May you experience healing through
compassionate hands and listening
hearts.
May you always feel seen and heard.
May you know strength because our
prayers join yours.
May we attend with great respect to
your needs and wants and empower
your healing.
May we see in you the precious person
who God created, incredibly graced
and gifted.
May we be worthy of your trust.
Living the Values
This thank you goes to the employees on
4 North:
"I am so thankful for all the care I received
on this floor. Everyone was so kind, caring
and helpful with all my questions. It was very
scary for me and my family. Everyone put my
mind at ease – I am doing fine now ... I
always believe when bad happens, there is
something good that comes out of it."
– A Genesys patient
We are called to: Service of the Poor, Reverence,
Integrity, Wisdom, Creativity and Dedication

You are cordially in nvited to A...
Farewell Tea Reception
for Ma ark Tayl
ylor
Thursday, Feb. 3 2 to 4 p.m.
Administrative Bo oard Room
Health Park
Nominate an employee
for the LOV Award today!
Do you know of an employee who
continually goes “above and beyond?”
Nominate them for a quarterly Living Our
Values (LOV) Award! Nominations can be
filled out online at www.genesys.org/LOV
CELEBRATE
BLACK
HISTORY
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON THESE LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ...
• As a child, Muhammad Ali was refused an autograph by
his idol, boxer Sugar Ray Robinson. When Ali became a
prize-fighter, he vowed never to deny an autograph
request, which he has honored to this day.
• Allensworth is the only California community to be
founded, financed and governed by African-Americans.
Created by Allen Allensworth in 1908, the town was
built with the intention of establishing a self-sufficient,
all-black city where African-Americans could live their
lives free of racial discrimination.
• Artist Charles Alston founded the “306 Group,” a club
that provided support and apprenticeship for African-
American artists during the 1940s. It served as a studio
space for prominent African-American artists such as
poet Langston Hughes; sculptor Augusta Savage; and
mixed-media artist Romare Bearden.
• Before Wally Amos became famous for his “Famous
Amos” chocolate chip cookies, he was a talent agent at
the William Morris Agency, where he worked with the
likes of The Supremes and Simon & Garfunkel.
• Louis Armstrong bought his first coronet at the age of
7 with money he borrowed from his employers. He
taught himself to play while in a home for juvenile
delinquents.
• After African-American performer Josephine Baker
expatriated to France, she famously smuggled military
intelligence to French allies during World War II. She
did this by pinning secrets inside her dress, as well as
writing them in invisible ink on her sheet music.
• Scientist and mathematician Benjamin Banneker is
credited with helping to design the blueprints for
Washington, D.C.
• Before he was a renowned artist, Romare Bearden was
also a talented baseball player. He was recruited by the
Philadelphia Athletics on the pretext that he would
agree to pass as white. He turned down the offer,
instead choosing to work on his art.
• Due to his acclaimed "Banana Boat" song, most people
assume Harry Belafonte was born in the Caribbean; in
fact, the internationally renowned entertainment icon
and human rights activist was born in Harlem, New York.
In honor of Black History Month, the Genesys Diversity committee will highlight various fast facts in INK
throughout the month of February.
Read INK online: visit www.genesys.org/INK