Unless otherwise noted, call Nursing Staff Development at ext. 2-6480 to register
or for more information on the following programs and events.
January 15
Breakfast with Matt Van Vranken
Start your morning off right with a meal with the hospital’s chief operating officer. Join Matt Van Vranken and colleagues for a small group breakfast. Take part in this unique opportunity to discuss current issues about BWH and health care in general. Seating is limited. Interested employees should call ext. 2-6602.
January 24
Nursing Research Grand Rounds
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Carrie Hall Conference Room
Diane Lancaster, PhD, RN presents “Coping with Appraised Threat of Breast Cancer”
January 25
A Celebration of the Legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
3 - 4 p.m.
Cabot Atrium, 45 Francis St.
Featured Speaker: Julian Bond,
Chair of the NAACP. Reception immediately following.
January 31
Nursing Grand Rounds Cultural Series
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Carrie Hall Conference Room
Carolyn Hayes, PhD, RN presents
“Culture at the End of Life: Cultural Implications for Nursing Care at End of Life”
February 7
Nursing Research Grand Rounds
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Carrie Hall Conference Room
Nancy Bittner, PhD, RN presents “Critical Thinking in Clinical Practice”
February 9
Homeland Security Conference
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Jimmy Fund Auditorium
All proceeds will be donated to local emergency service plans.February 14
Nursing Research Grand Rounds
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.,
repeated from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Bornstein Amphitheater
Janice M. Morse, PhD, RN presents “The Relevance of Suffering in the Provision of Care”
February 15
Nursing Grand Rounds
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., repeated from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Bornstein Amphitheater
Janice M. Morse, PhD, RN presents “Comfort and Comforting.”
Co-sponsored by the Department
of Medicine.
March 16 – 20
2002 Pain Conference
PGA Spa and Resort
West Palm Beach, FL
Call Nursing Professional Development at ext. 2-6480 for more information.
Value Analysis Program Launched
As BWH continues to examine ways to succeed as a leading academic medical center, the hospital has launched a Value Analysis Program (VAP). The program is centered on process improvements and cost savings as a means of successfully managing change in an evolving health care market. The goal of the VAP is to help BWH improve performance and reduce costs while increasing the quality of patient care BWH delivers.
Specifically, the VAP is targeting the following key areas: clinical product and equipment evaluation, ordering and purchasing processes, clinical product inventory management and equipment tracking. Additionally, cost savings programs such as the reprocessing of single use devices and standardizing thermometry methodology will also be introduced. Finally, the VAP will launch several technology improvement projects such as needle safety and infusion pump technology initiatives. By concentrating on and analyzing these areas, the VAP will look at solutions that streamline processes, standardize or reduce costs for products and equipment and introduce or upgrade outdated technologies. In only one year, BWH has saved more than $500,000 through the VAP. By applying the principles of the program to the FY02 budget, the budget was reduced by an additional $1.5 million.
To carry out the mission of the program, a Value Analysis Committee comprised of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, biomedical engineers, financial advisors and other hospital staff has been established. The committee has been charged with identifying opportunity for cost savings and overseeing the process for the evaluation and approval of clinical products, equipment and technology.
For more information, or to submit a suggestion, email the Director of the Value Analysis Program Nancy Masaschi (nmasaschi@partners.org).