November 21, 2003

Leadership meeting highlights preparedness and other hospital activities

In a leadership meeting held Nov. 17, MGH supervisors, managers and department heads were briefed on a variety of hospital-related topics — including preparations to respond to possible incidences of smallpox, SARS and other emerging infectious diseases, the DRG Assurance Program, the budget and a construction update.

Stephen Calderwood, MD, chief of MGH Infection Diseases, led a discussion about the preparations the hospital is taking in response to the possible re-emergence of SARS and the potential threat of smallpox. Calderwood offered information about proper procedures for handling suspected SARS cases in the Emergency Department and training clinicians how to recognize SARS. He also discussed the hospital's ongoing program to vaccinate against smallpox a sufficient number of staff members to ensure adequate protection for those who might be called upon to care for a patient with the disease.

Elizabeth Mort, MD, associate chief medical officer and director of the Decision Support Unit, presented an update about the hospital's participation in the DRG Assurance Program. This initiative is designed to ensure that a patient's medical information is completely and accurately documented in the medical record so that the hospital can code appropriately and be reimbursed at the proper level.

Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH, concluded the meeting with an update on several hospital activities, including the financial performance in the first month of the FY '04 fiscal year, which was well ahead of budget. In addition, Slavin reported that the current phase of the hospital's strategic planning initiative is set to wrap up early next year. He also noted that construction for the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care is "going well" and should be finished on schedule in the fall 2004.

Finally, Slavin briefed MGHers about a number of recent awards and recognitions, including Magnet recognition (see article on Page 1), accreditation from the JCAHO and the first History Makers Award for health care the MGH recently received from the Boston History Collaborative.