January 21, 2005

What's Happening

Timilty Science Fair judges needed
The MGH/Timilty Partnership is seeking MGH volunteers to judge student projects at the annual science fair held at the James P. Timilty Middle School in Roxbury. Volunteers are needed to judge projects Feb. 7 to 10, from 8:45 to 11 am. Volunteers may sign up for one or more days. Round-trip transportation to the Timilty School will be provided, departing from the MGH at 8 am and returning at 11:30 am. For more information, contact the MGH/Timilty Partnership Office at (617) 724-3210 or (617) 445-5712 or send e-mail to sberglund@partners.org.

Hand Hygiene Champion of Champions contest
Over the past year, Hand Hygiene Champions have been promoting awareness of the importance of hand hygiene on patient care units. To acknowledge their efforts, the STOP Task Force is sponsoring a Hand Hygiene Champion of Champions contest. Nominations currently are being accepted from staff and leadership who wish to nominate Hand Hygiene Champion(s). Applications are available in the Bigelow 10 Nursing Office and at Founders 108. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 31. The winner will be announced in early March. For more information, call Rosemary O'Malley at (617) 726-9663 or send e-mail to romalley@partners.org.

CRP seminar series
The Clinical Research Program (CRP) is sponsoring "Infection Control Principles and Practice in Clinical Research" Jan. 26, from 9 to 10 am in the Wellman Conference Room. Paula Wright, RN, of the Infection Control Unit, will discuss standard precautions, as well as infection control practices when handling specimens or performing phlebotomy. This lecture meets JCAHO standards for required infection control training for all clinical research nurses and coordinators who handle human specimens.

The CRP also will sponsor "Research Billing After PACE" Jan. 27 from 3 to 4 pm in the Wellman Conference Room. This program will contain vital information for any study staff members who order lab tests and/or radiology procedures for research studies. Speakers include Cynthia Howlett-Willis of Partners Finance, Jamien Richardson of MGH Radiology, and Karen Walsh of the MGH Registration and Referral Center. To register for either seminar, call (617) 726-1669.

Volunteers needed for Partners in Discovery
The Partners in Discovery program — which puts doctors, nurses and clinical professionals from Partners hospitals into classrooms to lead hands-on science activities — is looking for volunteers to visit local middle school science classes. Volunteers are needed to either speak about their jobs and how they relate to the human body or to lead students in hands-on science labs. All materials are provided, and the time required is minimal. For more information, send e-mail to phsdiscovery@partners.org or call (617) 724-8753.

Quality improvement seminar
The Patient Care Services Quality Committee will offer "The Different Faces of Quality Improvement: Creating an Environment of Quality and Safe Practice" Feb. 7, from 8 am to 4:30 pm in the O'Keeffe Auditorium. The keynote speaker will be Anita Tucker, assistant professor of Operations and Information at the Wharton School of Management at the University of Pennsylvania. Various experts on patient care and safety initiatives also will offer their expertise. Nursing contact hours will be awarded. To register, call the Center for Clinical and Professional Development at (617) 726-3111.

Final PACE phase goes live
The final phase of the Patient Administrative CycleEnhancements (PACE) project — the implementation of the Patcom registration and billing system — will go live the weekend of Jan. 29. For more information about the PACE go-live or the downtime required during the implementation weekend, send e-mail to paceproject@partners.org.

A celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.
All members of the Partners Community are invited to "A Celebration of the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." Jan. 28, from 9 to 10 am in the O'Keeffe Auditorium. The event will feature Alvin F. Poussaint, MD, author, psychiatrist, educator and respected social critic. Admission to the event is free, and no tickets are required. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (617) 724-3963.