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Announcements
Thursday, November 5, 2009

General announcements

Quizlette: Test Your Knowledge of Influenza - part one
  Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that spread from person to person. It can lead to pneumonia, ear infection, sinus infection, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. It can even lead to death.

1. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately how many people in the United States are hospitalized and how many die as a result of getting the flu?
A. 95,000 hospitalizations; 12,000 deaths
B. 100,000 hospitalizations; 24,000 deaths
C. 150,000 hospitalizations; 30,000 deaths
D. 200,000 hospitalizations; 36,000 deaths

2. If you already had the flu once in your lifetime, you are immune from getting the flu again.
A. TRUE
B. FALSE

ANSWERS

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Help us conserve our supply of surgical and isolation masks
  Due to an increased nationwide use of masks to reduce the spread of pandemic H1N1 flu, UMHS is facing an immediate shortage of surgical and isolation masks. All UMHS personnel are asked to work together to conserve our current supply. Accordingly, Infection Control and Epidemiology has endorsed temporary changes in our practices, which will remain in place until further notice. In general, everyone needs to maximize the use of each mask that is used.

Everyone's cooperation is required to meet our goal of ensuring that every patient and staff member has a mask when needed:

  • Please remain flexible as we substitute different products for usual products
  • Do not "over - order" or hoard masks
  • If you have extra masks that you don't expect to use, please return them to stock

These simple steps can help us continue to protect staff and patients from infection, while safely stretching our supplies. Infection Control is working with high-volume mask users to customize mask conservation efforts. For questions, contact your Infection Control representative.

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New temporary rules for visitors to U-M Health System
  On Monday, UMHS issued new temporary rules for visitors to all U-M hospitals, health centers and other treatment locations in Southeast Michigan. The same rules were also issued by St. Joseph Mercy Health System for all of their Washtenaw and Livingston County hospitals and health centers.

These temporary rules are aimed at reducing the spread of all types of flu, in light of the flu outbreak and shortage of vaccine in our area. In general, there will be no visitors under age 16, no visitors with flu-like symptoms and no groups of more than two will be visitors at a time allowed in a patient's room.

  • The complete rules are listed here
  • A handout for printing and sharing is available here
  • An informative flier is available here
  • Information about flu-related issues is available here

Please ensure that patients and visitors know about and abide by these rules. Ask your manager or supervisor for guidance about requests for exceptions or what to say to visitors who do not wish to comply. Patients, families and other visitors can read these rules at www.med.umich.edu/flu/.

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Space heaters no longer recommended for purchase
  In the interest of safety and environmental sustainability, space heaters are no longer recommended for purchase. This includes the oil filled space heater that was approved for use in non-patient care areas in the past. For faculty and staff who find the need for additional warmth, Safety Management Services recommends the purchase of workstation warmers, which operate at safer temperatures and use far less electricity. At this time, staff may continue to use existing oil-filled space heaters. Space heaters and workstation warmers are NOT permitted in patient care areas or in sleeping areas for staff.

For more information, visit the Fire Safety webpage: http://www.med.umich.edu/i/safety/fire/spaceheater.htm For more information, visit the Fire Safety Web page.

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Healthy Eating Tip of the Month
  This month's Healthy Eating Tip of the Month is on vitamin and mineral supplements. Visit the bulletin board in the University Hospital cafeteria or the Web site for information about what vitamins and minerals do in your body and how to choose a supplement that is right for you. Learn how supplements are regulated and who should take a vitamin or mineral supplement. Enter the monthly giveaway (located at the bulletin board) to win a nifty pill dispenser.
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Upcoming events

Nov. 6: Town Hall to discuss flu
  To help provide updated information and a chance to ask questions and raise issues about the current H1N1 flu pandemic, all faculty, staff, students and volunteers are invited to attend the final Town Hall about flu this week. Friday's meeting will feature leaders who are helping UMHS handle the impact of the pandemic on our patients and employees and will also be broadcast to certain satellite locations outside the medical campus.  A video of one of this week's Town Halls will be streamed online later in the month. If you weren't able to attend any of the three Town Halls, watch the Bulletin, which will announce when it is available.

Town Hall date and time:

  • Friday, Nov. 6, noon - 1 p.m., in the MCHC Auditorium in Mott Hospital (Broadcast locations: Brighton Health Center, Canton Health Center, KMS - conference room 5 and NCAC)
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Nov. 12: William Warner Brockman Memorial Symposium -- Tumor Virology
  The William Warner Brockman Memorial Symposium will take place from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Biomedical Science Research Building D. Dan and Betty Kahn Auditorium. The symposium will feature:
  • Paul Lambert, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, who will present "Contributions of Human Papillomavirus oncogenes and host factors in cervical cancer"
  • Stanley Lemon, M.D., University of Texas, Medical Branch, who will present "Contrasts in virus persistence: Evasion of innate immune responses by hepatitis A & hepatitis C viruses."
  • Hung Fan, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, who will present "Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus and lung cancer"
  • James Pipas, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, who will present "Viral proteins as probes of cellular pathways: SV40 & beyond"

Registration is not necessary. For more information, call 734-764-1466.

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Nov 9: Cancer Center Grand Rounds featuring Alnawaz Rehemtulla, Ph.D.
  The Cancer Center Grand Rounds will take place at noon Monday, Nov 9, in Ford Auditorium. The seminar will feature Alnawaz Rehemtulla, Ph.D., Ruth Tuttle Freeman Research Professor of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan. Rehemtulla will present "FADD: From Biomarker to Therapeutic Target."

Lunch will be served, beginning at 11:30 a.m., in the Ford Lobby. All are invited to attend.

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Nov. 12: Introduction to Surveymonkey
  Introduction to Surveymonkey workshop will take place from 3 - 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Taubman Medical Library classroom. This session will give an overview of the program Surveymonkey, discuss its features and demonstrate how to create a simple survey. Participants will create personal accounts and a brief survey of three or four questions on a topic of their choice.

For more information or to register, visit the Web site.

  Web site:  https://www-a1.lsa.umich.edu/es_conf/app/DisplaySession.asp?sessionid=3685
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Dec. 4: New faculty orientation to U-M clinical research practices
  New faculty and U-M faculty who are new to the practice of clinical research are invited to attend this half-day workshop, which gives an overview and resources for navigating the U-M clinical research environment. Personnel and faculty from offices that manage and govern clinical research practices will present key information on the topics of initiating, conducting and collaborating on clinical and translational research.

The workshop will take place from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, in Med. Sci. I M-3330 auditorium. For more information or to register, visit the Web site.

  Web site:  
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Nov. 6: 'Books on the Go' book sale
  "Books on the Go" will be back in the Towsley Link, Friday, Nov. 6 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Books and toys for all ages and all interests will be available. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Giving Library, the popular bedside new book program for all Mott participants.
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Nov. 19: Assert yourself now -- at home, at work and in relationships
  Carolyn Lewis-Stone, CEW senior counselor, will lead an interactive workshop, which will address concerns about exhibiting assertive behavior. Participants will experience opportunities to learn and practice being assertive through role play. Participants also will learn how assertive behavior may reduce stress, prevent confusion and calm potentially explosive situations yet still leave everyone with self-esteem intact.

The workshop will take place from 4:30 - 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Center for the Education of Women. For more information or to register, visit the Web site or call 734-764-6005. Cost for the program is $20.

  Web site:  http://www.cew.umich.edu
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Nov. 11: Domestic violence and how we can support our patients who are survivors
  Join us to watch and discuss the video "The Savage Cycle," from noon - 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Towsley Center Dow Auditorium. Lunch will be provided, while the food lasts.

CE's pending for nursing and social work. University of Michigan Health System's Educational Services for Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

  Web site:  http://www.med.umich.edu/abusehurts/
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Nov. 9: Comprehensive Cancer Center Voices Art Gallery reception
  The Comprehensive Cancer Center's Art Therapy Program would like to invite you to a Voices Art Gallery reception. Featuring photographs by Alida Silverman and religious icons and rosaries by Mary Jane Marchio. Opening reception will take place from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9. The Voices Art Gallery is located on level B1 near reception E in the Cancer Center. These will be on display through the end of December.
  Web site:  http://www.mcancer.org
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Nov. 14: Free glucose screenings will be offered at the U-M World Diabetes Day Health Fair
  Just added! Blood glucose testing will be among the free screenings offered at the U-M Comprehensive Diabetes Center's World Diabetes Day Health Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Ann Arbor. Additional free screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol (total and HDL) and body mass/hip-waist ratio for obesity assessment.

For the latest information on diabetes research, prevention and treatment, attendees can speak one-on-one with UMHS clinical and research staff and see displays by medical supply and non-profit companies.

Two lectures will be offered:

  • 9:30 a.m. - "Diabetic Foot Care" by Crystal Holmes, DPM, CWS
  • 12:30 p.m.- "Planning Healthy Meals" by Cecilia Sauter, MS, RD, CDE

The event is free and open to the public. Walk-ins will be allowed at the door but pre-registration is requested. To register, visit the Web site.

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Nov. 10: Teens Using Drugs -- what to know and what to do
  Teens Using Drugs: What To Know and What To Do is an ongoing, two-part series presented on the first and second Tuesdays of each month from October - June. Classes are free and open to all. Registration is not required.

The program will take place from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the St. Joseph's Education Center, located at 5305 Elliott Drive, Ypsilanti. The program will be presented by social worker, Ron Harrison, and is targeted primarily to parents/caretakers of teens but is also inclusive of teens and people who work with teens and families.

The event is co-sponsored by Dawn Farm, the Livingston/Washtenaw Safe and Drug Free Schools Consortium and St. Joseph Mercy Health System Mission Services.

  Web site:  http://www.teensusingdrugs.org
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Nov. 18: IRB Regulations 102 -- compassionate, emergency and humanitarian use orphan drugs workshop
  The IRB Regulations 102 workshop will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, in the Taubman Medical Library. This workshop covers physician and IRB responsibilities when an investigational agent is used for clinical, rather than research, purposes. Common terms for the application of investigational agents in the clinical setting include:
  • Emergency use
  • Compassionate use
  • Humanitanrian use

We review:

  • Applicable federal regulations
  • Reporting responsibilities
  • The difference between the common terms
  • Procedures for interacting with the IRB

For more information or to register, visit the Web site below. Contact hours for nursing will be provided.

  Web site:  http://www.med.umich.edu/irbmed.htm
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Nov. 6: Internal Medicine Grand Rounds
  Cary Engleberg, M.D., will present at Internal Medicine Grand Rounds at noon Friday, Nov. 6, in Ford Auditorium. His presentation will be "Enhancing Health Education in Africa: the Potential of Electronic Learning Resources." Engleberg is a professor, Division of Infectious Diseases in the Departments of Internal Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology at U-M. To view his Web log chronicling e-learning experiences in Ghana, Africa, visit mededAfrica.wordpress.com . For a real time link to grand rounds, visit connect.umms.med.umich.edu/intmedgr.
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Nov. 12 - 13: Survival Flight fall conference at the Bavarian Inn
  Survival Flight's "On The Road" fall nursing conference will take place Thursday, Nov. 12 and Friday, Nov. 13, at the Bavarian Inn, Frankenmuth, MI. The conference will feature a Thursday evening session and an all-day session on Friday with eleven speakers providing EMS and nursing credits. For more information and to register, visit the Web site or call 734-936-6045.
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Nov. 9: Mass Spectrometry Seminar -- LC and MS innovations
  Waters Inc. will present a seminar about applications of LC and MS innovation from 12:30 - 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in Med. Sci. I room 6311. The seminar topic will be "Ultraperformance LC, Bioanalytical method development for therapeutic peptides and SYNAPT G2 mass spectrometry." For more information or to register for the free seminar, visit the Web site.
  Web site:  http://www.waters.com/Central
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Nov. 17: Snapshots of healthcare in early Ann Arbor
  The Nursing History Society presents the second in its 2009-2010 "Potluck and Program" educational series at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov.17, in the School of Nursing room 1330 - "Snapshots of Healthcare in Early Ann Arbor" will be presented by Caroll Williams, MS, RN-BC, from her postcard collection. CE's are available for nurses but all are welcome, and a special invitation is extended to students who will be provided dinner. Please RSVP to raduda@umich.edu.
  Web site:  http://www.nursing.umich.edu/NHS/
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Nov. 5: Faculty Town Hall on global engagement
  Joe Kolars, M.D., senior associate dean for education and global initiatives, invites you to a Faculty Town Hall and discussion about the vision of the Medical School's global involvement from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in the Towsley Center Sheldon Auditorium.
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Nov. 4 - 24: Michigan Harvest Food Gatherers food drive
  The Michigan Harvest Food Gatherers food drive will occur Nov. 4 - 24. Donations of non-perishable foods and/or money (checks made payable to Food Gatherers) will be collected at various sites throughout the Health System. Glass containers and outdated items are not acceptable. Your assistance is needed to help fight hunger. For details, or to have your area become a collection site, contact Patient Food and Nutrition Services at 734-936-5197.
  Web site:  http://www.med.umich.edu/fooddrive
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Nov. 5: Women and lung cancer
  The U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center Community Outreach program will host a discussion regarding "Women and Lung Cancer -- Smoker. Non-Smoker. What's My Risk?" from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Ypsilanti District Library, located at 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti.

The featured speaker will be Gregory Kalemkerian, M.D., a U-M professor who specializes in thoracic cancers and clinical trials. Learn about risk factors, diagnosis and treatment through a descriptive slideshow, discussion, survivor story and time for questions.

Registration is requested but not required. To register, call 734-998-7071 or visit mcancer.org/outreach .

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Parking and transportation

Jackson van pool has an immediate opening
  A friendly Jackson van pool has immediate opening for riders. Work hours should be between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. We meet at Lowes at 7 a.m. and make stops to Central Campus and end at the Medical Campus around 8 a.m. The van departs Ann Arbor at approximately 5 p.m. and returns to Jackson shortly after 6 p.m. For more information, e-mail Crystal at crysmill@med.umich.edu.
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Van rider needed from the Flint area
  A rider is needed from the Flint, Fenton or Brighton area with work hours from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pick up is at Meijer's parking lot in Flint and drop-off at UMHS, Plymouth Road area. For more information, e-mail dridley@med.umich.edu.
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Van pool rider needed from Fenton area
  Seeking a rider to join our van pool from the Fenton area. Work hours should be from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For more information, e-mail Moe Daraiseh at mdaraise@umich.edu.
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Van pool rider needed from the Westland and Canton areas
  Two riders or backup drivers are needed from the Canton area with work hours from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. One is needed now and one in December. Pick up is at Meijer's parking lot in Canton and drop-off is at the Cancer Center parking structure. For more information, please call Linda at 734-961-7111 or e-mail lhartwi@umich.edu.
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Simpson/Mott parking structure project began Nov. 2
  The Northeast stairwell at the Simpson/Mott (M22) parking structure was closed for construction repairs starting on Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 a.m. It is scheduled to reopen by the end of day on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The other stairwells and elevators will be open.

We appreciate your understanding during this necessary repair.

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New on the UMHS Web

November/December Speaking of Safety newsletter
  The November/December issue of the Speaking of Safety newsletter is available online. Articles include:
  • Space heaters no longer recommended for purchase
  • Unique chemical inventories due Jan. 1
  • Registration required for ionizing radiation producing devices
  • Death by Cell Phone Campaign: Dangers of distracted driving
  • Safety requirements for holiday decorating
  • Reducing slip and fall injuries: A responsibility we all share
  • Dec. 10 Safety Brown Bag: Safety considerations for unit moves and relocations
  • Take 5 for Safety Podcasts
  • Safety Academy classes

Please read and share this information with staff. This newsletter must be posted on each department's Fire and Safety Tackboard. The safety newsletter is emailed to AdForum, Nurse-ANPALL, Nurse Managers, Safety Liaison Network, COMF and others by request. To be added to the distribution list, e-mail safetymgmt-safety@med.umich.edu.

  Web site:  http://www.med.umich.edu/i/sms/sos/SOSNovDec09.pdf
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