January 4, 2002

In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the MGH is building upon its existing disaster response system to enhance its ability to respond to crisis situations, senior administrators reported at a hospitalwide leadership meeting Dec. 14.

Ann Prestipino, senior vice president for MGH Surgical and Anesthesia Services and the MGH Cardiac Program, reviewed the existing disaster response plan and highlighted areas needing further development in the context of city, state and federal plans. The MGH Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan details external and internal processes for the establishment and enactment of a command center/disaster headquarters; interdepartmental planning; communications and media response; patient and resource management; and the disaster event notification process. A new hospitalwide Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan committee, reporting to senior management through the MGH Office of Quality and Safety, also is being formed.

"Our disaster preparedness process focuses on the safety of both our patients and our staff," said Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, senior vice president for MGH Patient Care Services and chief nurse. "In the new reality brought about by Sept. 11, we are addressing the fundamental questions of how to meet the needs and expectations of new and existing patients."

Year-end financial performance
The leadership meeting also highlighted the MGH's strong financial results in fiscal year (FY) '01. A strong fourth quarter drove a $43.7 million operating gain, which was $9.2 million better than budget, according to Sally Mason Boemer, vice president for MGH Finance. Admissions increased 1.9 percent from FY '00. The FY '02 budget is based on continued strong financial performance. Further details of the hospital's year-end financial status will be included in next week's issue of Hotline.

Ambulatory care building update
Michael Jellinek, MD, who is overseeing the planning and building of the MGH's new ambulatory care facility, provided an update on the progress of the construction. The dismantling of the east wing of the Charles Street Jail now is complete, and site preparation is under way. Construction of an underground garage will begin soon. Upon final approval from city agencies, the new building will rise from the concrete roof of the garage while excavation continues below the garage's roof deck.

Planning also is under way for the preservation and reuse of the jail as a hotel, and the MBTA is in the final design stages of rebuilding the Charles/MGH T stop, which will be handicapped-accessible. According to current plans, the T stop, hotel and phase 1 of the ambulatory building project will be completed by the fall of 2004. Phase 2 of the project — demolition and replacement of the VBK and Clinics buildings — is anticipated to be completed by 2008.

"We are making very good progress," Jellinek said. "Our goal is to build an excellent ambulatory facility that is both patient-focused and efficient for the more than 1 million MGH patient visits each year. This project will provide easily accessible outpatient services, situated at the front of the hospital and close to public transportation and the garages. Above all, the new building project is designed to be convenient for patients, visitors and staff."

Other hospital activities
Jeff Davis, senior vice president for MGH Human Resources (HR), and Traci Knoblauch Nordberg, director of HR Operations and Systems, added a lively touch to the meeting with a dynamic demonstration of the new iBridge project. Employee volunteers performed a skit depicting pitfalls often experienced with the current HR and payroll system, contrasting them with the efficiency afforded by iBridge.

"A great aspect of iBridge is that it applies not only to the timekeeping system, but to all associated rules, especially overtime," said Davis. The iBridge project will help to ensure adherence to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires that non-overtime-exempt employees must be paid at a rate of time and a half whenever their work week exceeds 40 hours.

Training on iBridge — which is a new web-based human resources, payroll and timekeeping system — began last month for managers, and will continue this month for timekeepers and other employees. The current system is expected to be replaced by February.

Debra Doroni, administrative director for MGH Surgery, concluded the meeting with an update on the 2001 MGH United Way campaign. The campaign has seen an increase in the number of hospital participants from last year, but remains 10 percent below its goal of $225,000. Employees still may turn in their pledge cards. Doroni reminded the audience that 50 cents of each dollar raised over the fundraising goal directly benefits MGH Social Services.