August.10–16.2006

THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HOSPITAL • UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER

CENTER eXpress

The University ofKansas Hospital is taking steps to ensurethat intensive care patientsreceive optimal care in anenvironment best suited totheir individual needs.

The hospital has openeda three-bed ProgressiveCare Unit (PCU) on thesixth floor’s MedicalTelemetry Unit 66 to carefor those intensive carepatients who are stable butstill require invasive moni-toring.

PCU patients receive carefrom nurses speciallytrained to monitor arterialblood pressure and invasivelines, provide any extra helpthe patient needs, andensure a smooth transitionfrom the ICU environment.Twelve nurses staff the PCU,

along with physicians, hos-pitalists and intensivists.

“Moving from an inten-sive care environment to anacute care floor is a bigchange for our criticalpatients,” said CraigShipley, RN, nurse man-ager, Unit 66. “The PCUcreates a bridge betweenthese two areas of the hos-pital that helps ease thistransition. We can verygradually step down thelevel of monitoring we provide, based on eachpatient’s individual needs.

Moving stable intensivecare patients to a PCU alsomakes room for newpatients in the ICU. Thishelps the hospital improvepatient flow, or the move-ment of patients from pro-cedural or emergency areasto inpatient beds.

“By opening a PCU, we’recreating more space forpatients who truly need thelevel of care that an ICUprovides,” said Shipley. “Atthe same time, we’re provid-ing our stable ICU patientswith a less expensive alter-native to an ICU bed in anarea where close monitor-ing is still emphasized.”

The sixth-floor PCU is apilot project for the hospi-tal and has room to grow tonine beds. Currently, onlypatients from the neighbor-ing Medical Intensive CareUnit are being transferredto this PCU. However,future PCUs may be creatednear other ICUs based onthis model.

In addition, the newCenter for Advanced HeartCare, set to open in

October 2006, will includea Cardiovascular PCU.

"This is a very excitingtime for Unit 66,” said AliCoats, RN, Unit 66. “Theteam that has been createdamong Unit 66, the MICUnurses and physicians, andRespiratory Therapy is work-ing very hard to make thePCU a success. I'm lookingforward to its growth.”

Planning for the PCUbegan in spring 2005 andinvolved researching otherhospital PCUs. Playing a keyrole in getting the PCU offthe ground were Shipley;Chris Ruder, RN, seniornursing director, Acute Careand Organ Transplant;Timothy Dwyer, MD, med-ical director, Unit 66; andJocelyn Havener, RN, uniteducator, Unit 66.

New Unit is Bridge fromICU to Acute Care

PolyHeme® TrialCompletedThe University ofKansas Hospital andKU Medical Center have concluded their par-ticipation in a ground-

breaking national clinicaltrial to evaluate the safetyand efficacy of PolyHeme®,a temporary oxygen-carryingred blood cell substitute.

Nationwide, 720 patientswere enrolled in the studythat compared the survival

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Tobacco-Free CountdownAs the campus prepares to become tobacco-free Sept. 1,

The University of Kansas Hospital, KU Medical Center and KUPhysicians Inc. (KUPI) are offering free tobacco-cessation support forpeople who smoke or use any other form of tobacco, including cigars,chewing tobacco and pipes.

This support will include counseling sessions and free nicotine-replacement products for participating hospital, KUMC and KUPIemployees, staff, students, contractors and volunteers, as well asthose who reside in their households. These individuals can sign upfor tobacco-cessation services the next several Thursdays, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. outside the cafeteria or by calling 8-3335.

rate of patients receivingPolyHeme® to that ofpatients who receive the cur-rent standard of care, whichis saline solution followed bydonated blood, whenneeded. Preliminary resultsfrom the nationwide studywill be released this fall.

The clinical trial was openonly to nationally accreditedLevel I Trauma Programs.Michael Moncure, MD, thestudy’s principal investigator,said study protocols prohibitthe hospital and medicalcenter from releasing anynumbers of enrollees locally,but noted that there were nosafety issues from the use ofPolyHeme® at our site.

For several months, ambu-lances in Wyandotte,Leavenworth and Douglascounties carried PolyHeme®

to treat critically injured andbleeding patients who quali-fied under the study’s proto-

cols. Residents of thesecounties who did not want toparticipate in the studyreceived “opt out” wrist-bands. Those who receivedwristbands can discard themnow that the trial is over.

Moncure said the Foodand Drug Administration willevaluate the results to deter-mine the blood substitute’ssafety and effectiveness, aswell as conditions for its use.

AMA GrantAwardedThe University ofKansas Hospital is oneof eight hospitals nationwide selected to fieldtest a new “toolkit” forimproving communicationsamong patients and staff.

The hospital has received agrant from the Ethical ForceProgram at the AmericanMedical Association (AMA)that will fund research intohow our organizational cul-

ture, policies and practiceshelp physicians and otherhealth care professionalscommunicate with patients.Specifically, the AMA toolkithelps hospitals and physi-cian practices evaluate theirefforts to alleviate communi-cation barriers contributingto racial and ethnic dispari-ties in health care.

The hospital’s Office ofInterpreter Services willcoordinate all testing andimplementation efforts.Cecilia Abbey, interpretercoordinator, and TerryRusconi, senior director,Organizational Improvement,submitted the AMA grantapplication and will play keyroles in organizing the field-testing process.

“This provides us with theopportunity to assess ourcommunication practicesand effect changes to ensurethat we provide optimal careto each and every patient,”Abbey said.

The toolkit includes sur-veys to evaluate leadershipawareness, patient and staffperceptions, and organiza-tional policies and proce-dures. Also included areguides for conducting focusgroups and interviews withpatients and staff members.

The surveys will be distrib-uted in mid-September. TheAMA will collect and analyzethem and provide feedbackand recommendations forimprovement. In the comingweeks, focus groups will beheld with clinicians, English-speaking patients andpatients with limited Englishproficiency.

To launch the assessment,AMA representatives will beon campus Aug. 16 to meetwith key assessment leadersand observe an interpreterfocus group.

More than 50 hospitalsand health care practicesnationwide applied for theAMA grant.

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The KU School of Medicine welcomed175 new medical students during itsninth annual White Coat Ceremony Aug. 4.The event, which celebrates first-yearstudents’ entry into the medical profes-sion, included remarks from S. EdwardsDismuke, MD, dean, KU School ofMedicine-Wichita, and BarbaraAtkinson, MD, executive vice chancellor,KU Medical Center, and executive dean,School of Medicine. John Lantos, MD,provided the keynote address, “Medicinein the Twenty-First Century: The Best ofTimes, The Worst of Times.” Pictured,from left, Kelli Crabtree, SushantGovindan and Heather Hawthornejoined the class of 2010 in reciting theOath of Commitment after receivingtheir white coats. Selena Jabara,

KUMC Photo Services

Event SharesPandemic PrepKU Medical Center’sOffice of ContinuingEducation will host aninformational event on pan-demic illness Saturday, Aug. 19.

The seminar, “CommunityPreparedness for the NextPandemic in Kansas:Responding to EmergingInfections,” will be held from8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. inBattenfeld Auditorium andFrancisco Lounge. Speakerswill discuss the likelihood of apandemic outbreak and waysto prepare for such an event.

Campus speakers includeDaniel Hinthorn, MD,FACP, director, Division of

Infectious Diseases; RuthSchukman-Dakotas, radia-tion safety officer,Environment of CareDepartment, The Universityof Kansas Hospital; and JohnWisner, MD, clinical associateprofessor of Psychiatry.

Also speaking are JohnDouglass, police chief,Overland Park PoliceDepartment, and Liz Ticer,Public Health emergencycoordinator, Johnson CountyHealth Department.

The event is free and opento the public. Advance regis-tration is requested. To regis-ter, call 8-1227. For moreinformation, visit www.kansas-antiterror.org.

Thursday, Aug. 10ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE andMemory Disorders CaregiverSupport Group: Phyllis Switzer, 2-3:30 p.m., Landon Center,Room 145.

Friday, Aug. 11NEUROLOGY/NEUROSURGERYGrand Rounds: “Prenatal Diagnosisof Neurosurgical Disease,” JohnGrant, MD, BCh, FRCSC, FACS, 7-9 a.m., Lied Auditorium.

Monday, Aug. 14NURSING STUDENT WelcomeLuncheon: noon-1 p.m. The KUNurses Alumni Association welcomesnew nursing students to campusand to the study of nursing.

HOLY DAY Mass: 4:45 p.m.,Spencer Chapel.

Tuesday, Aug. 15 HOLY DAY Mass: 12:15 p.m.,Spencer Chapel.

Wednesday, Aug. 16INTERNAL MEDICINE GrandRounds: “Omega-3-Fatty Acidsand Their Use in the Prevention ofCardiovascular Disease,” PatrickM. Moriarty, MD, 8-9 a.m., SudlerAuditorium 3015.

LANDON CENTER on AgingBrown Bag Lunch Series: “TheDrive for Safety: Safe Driving inthe Elderly,” Shelley Bhattacharya,DO, MPH, noon-1 p.m., LandonCenter, Room 200. This talk is

intended for older drivers andtheir families. RSVP to MattChandler at 8-3094 or mchandle@kumc.edu.

ALLIED HEALTH Student WelcomeLuncheon: Noon-1 p.m. The KUAllied Health Alumni Associationwelcomes new allied health stu-dents to campus and to the studyof health care.

Thursday, Aug. 17SEMINAR SERIES in Cancer andDevelopmental Biology:“Endometase/Matrilysin-2,Biomarker Discovery and New Ideason Human Breast and ProstateCancer Apoptosis and Invasion,”Qing-Xiang Amy Sang, PhD, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Lied Auditorium.

eXtracurricular Please send news, classifiedads and calendar items tocenterexpress@kumc.eduor contact Laura Coffey at 8-0446. Items must bereceived by noon on theThursday prior to publication.

Landon Center Hosts ConcertThe Landon Center on Aging will offer a free concert for olderadults and their families Friday evening, Aug. 18.

The Las Vegas-themed event will be held from 7-9 p.m. at theLandon Center, located at 3599 Rainbow Boulevard, and will fea-ture live performances from the Rob Robinson Show. Attendees willbe treated to a variety of music, including love songs, ballads, blues,country, rock ’n’ roll, big band classics and some band originals.

Appetizers and refreshments will be provided.

eXtra: For more information, call Hallie Kates-Calloway at 8-0606.

Event Helps American Cancer SocietyStaff members and students from The University of Kansas Hospitaland KU Medical Center are invited to participate in the AmericanCancer Society’s “Relay for Life” of Northeast Johnson CountyFriday, Aug. 11.

The 12-hour event will take place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at theBishop Miege High School track, 5041 Reinhardt Drive, RoelandPark. “Relay for Life” is a celebration-style walk to honor cancer sur-vivors and increase community cancer awareness. During the walk,community team members camp out and enjoy entertainment, foodand games.

Cancer survivors enjoy a special dinner and an inspirational“Survivors Lap” to kick off the event. A highlight is the luminarylighting ceremony at 10 p.m., when participants remember thoselost to cancer, support those fighting cancer and celebrate withthose who have fought the disease and won.

To make an online contribution, visit www.acsevents.org/nejocorelay.

eXtra: To join The University of Kansas Hospital and Medical Centerteam or to pick up a team packet, contact Jan Hall at 8-5815 orjhall2@kumc.edu.

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1989 BUICK Reatta, red, digitaldash, fully loaded, 3800 engine,136K miles, $3,500 OBO. 913-638-8873.

For SaleCHIEFS TICKETS, pre-seasongames, Aug. 26 vs. St. LouisRams and Aug. 31 vs. NewOrleans Saints, 4 seats, section112, row 9, face value, $79/seat.816-444-8918.CAPE COD home, move-in ready,4 BR, 2 BA, 2-car garage, largefenced corner lot, hardwoodfloors, finished basement, near I-435/169 Hwy./152 Hwy./air-port, about 20 minutes fromKUMC. 816-734-1903. BELLINI CONVERTIBLE crib/jun-ior bed, changing table, 3-drawerdresser, original price approxi-mately $3,500, asking $1,200OBO. 913-722-3103.KENDON MOTORCYCLE trailer2004, carries 2 large bikes, greatcondition, stands upright forstorage, ramp stores underneathtrailer, $1,400. 913-962-9963or 913-221-8243.PIANO, Roland KR-177 DigitalIntelligent, matching paddedbench, record/playback capabilities,

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For RentROOM, near 51st and Lamar, 6minutes from KUMC, $500/month,utilities included. 913-406-8408.FURNISHED PLAZA condo, 4550Warwick Blvd., 1 BR, 9th floor,Plaza view, includes exerciseroom, laundry room, coveredparking, 24-hour doorman,$850/month. 816-729-9124.

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DoctoralStudentHonoredCatherine “Katie”Siengsukon, PT, a PhDstudent of Rehabilitation Science atthe KU School of AlliedHealth, has received aPromotion of DoctoralScholarships I (PODS I)award from the Foundationfor Physical Therapy.

The Foundation forPhysical Therapy is a non-profit corporation thataspires to improve patientcare by supporting scientif-

ically based, clinically rele-vant physical therapyresearch. The Foundationselected only 21 applicantsto receive its PODS I and IIawards.

Siengsukon is interestedin the way sleep affectslearning in people whohave had a stroke. Researchstudies in young, healthysubjects indicate that sleephelps with learning.

“You practice something,you sleep, and then you dobetter,” Siengsukon said.“But people who have had astroke may not experiencethe same benefits fromsleep, or sleep may be

especially helpful in theirlearning.”

Her research comparessubjects who have hadstrokes with healthy sub-jects.

A fascination with thebrain fuels Siengsukon’swork. “It’s becoming appar-ent that the brain has thisplastic ability to changeand reorganize,” she said. eXtra: To read more, visit alliedhealth.kumc.edu and click on“news and events.”

Where to send adsSend or bring your ad, 30 words or less, to 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy.,Suite E302, Westwood, KS 66205-2005, fax to 8-0241, or e-mail centerexpress@kumc.edu by noon Thursday of the week before it is to run.Ads run free of charge for employees, students and volunteers. All adsmust include the advertiser’s name and work extension (or student boxnumber) for verification. Only home phone numbers – no pager numbersor work extensions – will be published. Please include area code. No adsfor commercial services or pets for sale will be accepted. Ads will not betaken by telephone. Ads may be held a week if space is limited.

CENTEReXpress

Irene M. CummingPresident and CEOThe University of Kansas Hospital

Barbara Atkinson, MD Executive Vice ChancellorUniversity of Kansas Medical Center

StaffLaura Coffey, EditorCarolen Collins, Internal

Communications ManagerJeff Spiller, Graphic DesignerJan Lewis, Editorial ManagerMary King, Communications

Services Director

Center Express is a weekly employeepublication published byThe University of Kansas Hospital’sCommunications Services Department.Send story ideas to Laura Coffey,2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., SuiteE302, Westwood, KS 66205, e-maillcoffey@kumc.edu or call 8-0446.