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Open House for Allen Hospital Surgery Renovation Phases 1 and 2
You’re invited to an open house for the newly-renovated 2 Central and 2 East units and the new Digestive Health Center.

Join us TODAY, October 26, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. We’ll be serving punch and treats in the new waiting area (former PAS space).

Take the B elevator to the second floor.

Yesterday we notified you that there was a problem with data extraction during your first log-in test. If you logged in again Thursday, October 25, thanks for the quick response.  If you have not logged in again, please log in as soon as possible, using the instructions below.  You must do a log-in test on or after Thursday, October 25, to be sure you are registered for Go Live.  Thanks for your help.

Virtual EPIC Log In Workshop - Your participation is esstential.  Please test your EPIC log in and verify your security and credentials:

1. Click here.
2. Log in with your Active Directory UserID and Password (this is the same log in as network/Citrix/email).
3. Verify your EpicSecurity Template.
4. Verify your Licensure and Provider Type (if applicable).
5. Verify your Log in Department (if applicable).
6. Click Submit.

The results will be compiled and reviewed.  If changes need to be made, the IQ4 Information Security Team will follow up with your manager to ensure the proper changes are made prior to the EPIC go-live.

TODAY! Scrubs Sale:    7 am – 2 pm
Just arrived, Cedar Falls, West and East jewelry and sweatshirts. 
Reminder:  Gift Shop closed on weekends.

Allen Auxiliary Gift Shop
1825 Logan Avenue, Waterloo, IA
Thursday, November 1, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 pm

Enjoy Hors d’ Oeuvres, sparkling cider, special music, door prizes and holiday shopping.  Present your invitation that evening to receive 25% off one item!  If you don't have an invitation, see Sara at the Gift Shop. 

Allen Credit Union Information
Beginning November 1st and running through January 31, 2013, holiday loans at 7.99%, 12 month maximum term, normal credit granting guidelines apply. Contact credit union for more information @ 319 235-3678

IHS System Sustainability Update
The System Sustainability team is continuing their work and has had several early successes to share in regards to the Group Purchasing Organization. One of the strategic pillars in IHS’s Strategic Plan is System Sustainability. The goal of this pillar is to be fiscally responsible for the long-term by adopting best practices to guide our journey.

An early success of the Group Purchasing Organization is with the efforts the system’s supply chain managers have achieved. This team has been working together to investigate a better process for developing contracts rather than each region entering into separate contracts. The managers have found that by combining contracts, the opportunity exists for better/reduced pricing. The thought here is more volume, better pricing.

After a thorough review, the team transitioned numerous contracts to a new consulting partner who now can leverage our contracts to get the best deal without compromising on quality. By doing this, IHS saved approximately $5 million in 2012.

Here's a prime example of anticipated cost savings this group will realize in the comparable items category.

Every IHS hospital offers booties for patients. It’s a common patient supply item. The issue here is that not all IHS hospitals purchase the same bootie. We have multiple contracts and different styles and colors of booties within the system. If all IHS affiliates used the same vendor and developed one contract for one patient bootie, the system could save approximately $90,000 a year. “The team is working toward this standardization to reduce costs, but an important point here is that the bootie standardization will not affect patient care or the patient’s outcome.” commented David Stark, Co-Leader System Sustainability Program.

 Another example the team is working toward is standardizing a writing pen within the system. If all the affiliates purchased the same writing pen, the system could standardize the contract and save.  “Does it really matter if the system purchases a Bic or Pilot pen for all affiliates to use? The goal is to supply a quality writing pen.” said David Stark. “This is a perfect example of an opportunity to standardize a contract to achieve cost-savings, and the outcome doesn’t affect patient care.”

A final example of this team’s efforts is their Phase III strategy to evaluate and determine if there is an opportunity to standardize physician preferences, such as orthopedic supplies. “For instance, can the orthopedic surgeons, who perform joint replacements,  reduce the choices of a replacement joint to four or five choices rather than multiple choices from multiple vendors?” asked Milt Aunan, Co-Leader IHS Sustainability Program.  “The most important thing to note here is that we aren’t asking physicians to jeopardize patient care, quality or outcomes.  The goal is to see if we can make inroads on standardizing contracts and vendors so we can buy in bulk across our regions.”

The next sustainability effort that we’ll be reviewing is the Purchased Services and Management agreements.  By looking at alternatives, they have helped the system save more than half a million dollars on an annual basis. 

ZERO TOLERANCE OF WORKPLACE HARASSMENT/RETALIATION
Allen is committed to maintaining a bias-free environment for employees and to preventing retaliation against employees who assert their right to work in a bias-free workplace for employees and to preventing retaliation against employees who assert their right to work in a bias-free environment. No employee should fear that he or she will be penalized for registering a complaint under this policy. Therefore, Allen does not tolerate any form of harassment, i.e., zero tolerance.

The Employment Fairness Committee (EFC) has been created to quickly and fairly respond to complaints of workplace racial discrimination and harassment. The EFC’s duties include investigating and conciliating such claims. The EFC is comprised of one management employee of Allen. a current African American employee and one member of the African American community not employed by Allen. The current members of the EFC are:
                                            
                              Steve Sesterhenn
                              VP HR
                              Allen Health System

                              Robyn Meeks
                              RN – Occupational Health
                              Allen Health System
                             
                              Wilfred (Mickye) Johnson
                              UNI College Access Program
                             
It’s important that we all know about this policy and follow it without exception. The SOP is 3-S-10-3. Click here to read the policy. 

National Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week
October 21 through October 27 is National Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week.  At Allen facilities and engineering is taken care of by both Bio Medical Services and Plant Services.  Both departments are required to take care of more than 850,000 square feet worth of equipment and property. 

Bio Medial Services has four certified professionals to work on a variety of patient care equipment.  Plant Services has 21 employees which includes management and secretarial support.  The department has licensed professionals in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical.  They also have journeyman painters, carpenters, and multi-skilled maintenance technicians.  Plant Services also manages environmental safety and emergency management as well as assists with property management and construction management. 

Please take time this week to thank our Plant Services and Bio Medical Services staff for their ongoing work to make Allen a better place