November 7, 2003

What's Happening

CIMIT forum
The Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology (CIMIT) will offer "Shaping the Future of Medicine" Nov. 12, from 7 to 8:30 pm in the Cahners Theater at the Museum of Science. The discussion will focus on risk factors, new diagnostic technologies and cutting-edge therapies. The program is free and open to the public.

EAP seminar
The MGH Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will sponsor "Successful Singlehood: Expanding Your Social Network" Nov. 13, from noon to 1 pm in the Wellman Conference Room. Henri Menco, LICSW, an EAP consultant, will discuss how to find places to meet new people, how to get over the fear of rejection and how to have more fun. For more information, call the EAP at (617) 726-6976.

Hockey players wanted
The Bruins Alumni organization, Black and Gold Legends, will be playing Team MGH in a hockey game this winter as a benefit for the hospital's United Way campaign. The event will take place Jan. 23 at the Harvard University arena. This fundraiser is a no-check, fun game with the Bruin's alumni. This year's game will be limited to MGH staff and Partners employees working at MGH only. The team will be composed of male and female players of all abilities. For more information about how to join the team, send e-mail to David Read at dread@partners.org or call (617) 724-0361.

Ramadan celebration
MGH Patient Care Services, the Diversity Steering Committee, and MGH Chaplaincy, along with MGH Muslim staff, invite the MGH community for an Iftar — a breaking of the fast ceremony during the holy month of Ramadan — Nov. 12, from 5 to 7 pm in the Wellman Conference Room. To make a reservation, send e-mail to Lulu Sanchez at mghinterpreters@partners.org or Firdosh Pathan at fpathan@partners.org All Muslim patients, family members, staff and friends are welcome to attend.

CRP seminar series
The MGH Clinical Research Program (CRP) is sponsoring "Genetics in Clinical Research: Points to Consider" Nov. 12, from 11:45 am to 1 pm in the Wellman Conference Room. This talk will review some major issues involved in genetics and genomics research, including the definition of genetic testing and research and consent of family members. Lunch will be provided. For more information, call the CRP reservation line at (617) 726-1669.

Nursing career expo
MGH Patient Care Services and Human Resources will host a Nursing Career Expo Nov. 16, from noon to 4 pm in the North and East Garden Dining Rooms. Learn about staff nurse, clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, patient care associates and surgical technologist opportunities at the MGH. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a one-hour continuing education session, "Assessment and Management of Atrial Fibrillation," from 1 to 2 pm in the Haber Room. Contact hours will be awarded for the session. For more information, send e-mail to shwelch@partners.org or call (617) 726-5593.

New infection control policy
T he Infection Control Committee recently approved a new policy addressing an important issue. In response to recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 2002, an MGH policy has been developed about fingernails for certain clinicians. The policy prohibits artificial and long natural nails for specific health care workers. As noted in the guidelines, health care workers with artificial nails and long natural nails are more likely to have pathogens —organisms capable of transmitting infection — on their fingertips both before and after cleaning their hands. The policy — which underwent review by Human Resources, Patient Care Services and the Infection Control Committee — now is posted on the MGH Infection Control website at http://phsweb3/icu/

It also is included in the Employee Health and Safety Guide that is distributed to all new employees. Implementation of this policy is timely because compliance is expected by January 2004 for the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations' (JCAHO) patient safety goal # 7, "Reduce the Risk of Hospital-Acquired Infections." The JCAHO lists compliance to the CDC hand hygiene guidelines as one of the two requirements for achieving this goal. According to David Hooper, MD, chief of the Infection Control Unit, improving hand hygiene practices — an ongoing initiative at the MGH since April 2000 — continues to be an institutional priority. Implementation of this policy is one more component of this initiative and is an important component of quality patient care.