MUSC Catalyst 10-10-2014

Oct. 10, 2014

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA

Vol. 33, No. 8

I care about

DoMEsTic ViolEncE Pitts Lecture topic: Domestic Violence

because I can start the conversation.

because MUSC should lead in men stopping it.

T

See Pitts on page 6

Ebola

Discussion

4

Local experts discuss the Ebola virus.

Staff Reports his year’s annual Thomas A. Pitts Memorial Lectureship in Medical Ethics featuring the theme, “Dangerous to Stay, Dangerous to Leave: Ethical and Legal Issues in Domestic Violence,” will be held Oct. 22 and 24. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., Oct. 22. All sessions will be held in the MUSC Bioengineering Building, Room 110, 68 President Street.

Now in its 21st year, the lectureship has featured a range of bioethical issues including clinicalbioethical, legal–bioethical, social– bioethical and policy–bioethical.

Robert Sade, M.D., Department of Surgery and director of the Institute of Human Values in Health Care, is pleased that the committee has chosen the topic of domestic violence as this year’s theme.

“Issues relating to domestic violence are extremely important today. We have coordinated several key topics that will be led by a range of local and national experts to address various areas of domestic violence from outcomes to reporting and sharing solutions.

Johns Hopkins University’s Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell is a national

Inside

because no one should ever get hurt.

because it has affected someone very close to me.

PEDs MRi

8

New MRI procedure offers benefits for children.

because true love never hurts.

because everyone deserves to be treated with compassion and respect.

2 DAISY 5 Meet Annie 10 Wellness T h E c aTa ly s T onlinE

MUSC faculty and staff participate in the Do No Harm campaign. Top left and working clockwise, participants include Dr. Jill Mauldin, Dr. Walter Limehouse, Gina Garrett, R.N., Dr. Don Handel, Cindy Little, R.N. and Dr. Patrick Cawley. See story on page 6.

http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst

2 The CaTalysT, Oct. 10, 2014

Pediatric ICU nurse recognized with DAISY

Employee of the Month Award Liz Williams Bone Marrow Transplant Program “The Radiation Injury Treatment Network provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for victims of radiation exposure or other marrow toxic injuries.

Quality coordinator Liz Williams led the first RITN partnership with MUSC along with the BMT Medical director Robert Stuart, M.D. She has invested an enormous amount of time to successfully ensure the RITN program was implemented correctly while maintaining 100 percent of her other job requirements. Liz was instrumental in building the correct structure to address facility communication, response elements and victim management.

MUSC is at the forefront to serve the community for national emergencies related to radiation exposure due to the preparation efforts. Our institution participates in national drills with multiple hospitals across the country and the emergency preparation events are orchestrated with vast coordination skills by Liz Williams. The hospital emergency teams were very impressed with how Liz articulated the MUSC

Editorial of fice MUSC Office of Public Relations 135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425.

843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723 Editor: Cindy Abole catalyst@musc.edu Catalyst staff: Mikie Hayes, hayesmi@musc.edu Helen Adams, adamshel@musc.edu

emergency plans during our live RITN webinar drill with twenty nationally recognized transplant centers. She has superb organization, communication and critical thinking strengths. Annually, Liz presents at the BMT Education Conference to inform staff about the RITN program. MUSC was officially granted the Blue Distinction Center Plus designation which will now allow many patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance to obtain health care coverage for cord, blood or stem cell transplants.

Blue Cross did not grant this designation initially but it came to the spotlight after Liz used her analytic abilities to recognize the insurance company’s error where the outcome data had not been properly calculated. She corrected the issue after analyzing the information which helped MUSC achieve this first time designation goal that the team has been diligently working to attain. MUSC is now the only hospital in the country to have earned this prestige designation with BCBS for the combined adult/ pediatric program. The recognition is based on quality outcomes and MUSC can now serve more customers in the Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Distinction Networks. We commend Liz for her outstanding services, and we appreciate her continuous improvements that lead to a higher standard of excellence for our institution.

Nominated by Cindy Kramer The Catalyst is published once a week.

Paid adver tisements, which do not represent an endorsement by MUSC or the State of South Carolina, are handled by Island Publications Inc., Moultrie News, 134 Columbus St., Charleston, S.C., 843-849-1778 or 843-958-7490. E-mail: sales@moultrienews.com.

The October DAISY (disease attacking the immune system) award winner is Katherine Baldwin, R.N., of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Below is her nomination: “The PICU unit council would like to nominate Katherine Baldwin for the DAISY award. She recently took Baldwin care of a patient who had been cared for in the hospital for a long time. On this particular day the patient was not doing well. All of the PICU attendings got together that morning and decided to meet with the family, later in the week to discuss the patients declining status. When Katherine found out there was going to be a delay in having the family meeting, she advocated for her patient and their family. Katherine was able to facilitate having the meeting that day with all of the doctors present. When the family arrived, Katherine had the difficult task of reiterating the patient’s condition and answering all of their questions and concerns. Katherine did so in such a compassionate and caring way, ensuring the family fully understood the situation. After the meeting, the

family decided to withdraw support that day. Katherine then went above and beyond to guarantee that this was as peaceful as possible for the family and patient. She had the patient moved to a private room, helped family members hold the baby for the first time and arranged for a smooth transition between visitors just as the family requested. Katherine also made sure all of the patient’s primary nurses from both units were aware of the decisions and had Child Life on hand to work with a sibling, and, as this all happened at change of shift, she stayed into the next shift with the family. Katherine not only showed compassion and respect for the family and their difficult decisions but was able to advocate for her patient and work well with the multidisciplinary team. Katherine Baldwin is an example to all nurses.”

Each month, MUSC nurses are honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinatry Nurses. It is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program recognizing the efforts that nurses contribute daily to in their jobs.

The award is given to outstanding nurses in more than 1,600 hospitals across the country. Nominations can be submitted by anyone — patients, visitors, physicians fellow nurses and all MUSC staff and volunteers. To nominate a nurse, visit http://www. musc.edu/medcenter/formsToolbox/ DaisyAward/form.htm.

Campus security, crime statistics report available The MUSC Department of Public Safety is committed to providing the safest environment possible for work and study.

Part of that commitment involves providing information about campus security to current as well as prospective students and employees.

This report, prepared in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, outlines the university’s policies and discloses campus

crime statistics. This report is required by federal law and contains the past three years statistics for certain types of crimes that were reported on campus.

It may be accessed online at website http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/ vpfa/publicsafety/reports/clery_report. htm.

A hard copy of this document may be obtained upon request by contacting or visiting the MUSC Department of Public Safety at 101 Doughty St., Charleston, S.C. 29425, or by calling 792-2261.

The CaTalysT, Oct. 10, 2014 3

Cyber awareness: protecting sensitive data, reduce breaches

By Melanie RiChaRdson OCIO Communications At MUSC, protecting sensitive information is crucial to the success of our organization. Sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, names, addresses, telephone numbers and strategic corporate data is valuable and could have profound implications for the organization, as well as its employees and patients if it were to be lost or stolen.

Data breaches have the capability of causing MUSC to expose Protected Health Information, which would result in a HIPAA violation for the improper release of information. These types of violations carry stiff penalties, legal fees and a loss of trust from the public we serve.

Ways data breaches can occur: q Falling for a Phish — Being tricked by a phish email will allow a hacker into your email thereby giving them access to any sensitive data contained anywhere in your email. Stolen passwords, typically gathered through

MUSC President Dr. David J. Cole signs his pledge to follow good cyber security practices. photo provided

phishing, account for nearly half of all data breaches. q Inappropriate Data Storage — Sensitive data should only be stored only on MUSC–managed network drives or protected repositories and should only be accessed as authorized. Sensitive data should not be stored in the places listed below: PLocal Computer/Laptop Drives (Without encryption) — Storing sensitive data on your local computer drive can lead to a data breach if your computer/laptop is ever lost, stolen or infected by a virus.

P Thumb Drives (Without encryption) — Thumb drives (flash drives, jump drives) pose a greater risk of a data breach because they can be easily lost or stolen.

P Unapproved Cloud Services — Currently, the only cloud–based storage system approved for data storage at MUSC is Box — web address is musc.box.com.

Best places to store sensitive data: q First Choice — Protected MUSC repositories, such as Epic or Oacis. q Second Choice — MUSC managed network drives such as the I, N, or U drives q Third Choice — MUSC email, but only as temporary storage and only the minimum amount of data needed to perform your job. Once you don’t need it, delete it. q Last Resort — End–user devices with encryption.

Sensitive data should not be stored on end-user devices such as laptops or thumb drives unless there is an unavoidable business reason to do so. If this is the case then you need to have it enabled, and you should only keep the minimum amount of data needed. Once you don’t need it, delete it.

For information, visit BeginsWithMe.musc.edu or visit one of the Information Security Awareness Pledge Centers around campus to sign a pledge commit to follow good security practices.

Nominate a “Security Mentor” champion for a chance to win a $20 cafeteria or Starbucks gift card.

Submit to beginswithme@musc.edu before Oct. 24.

4 The CaTalysT, Oct. 10, 2014

Infectious disease experts at MUSC talk about Ebola preparedness By helen adaMs Public Relations The first travel–related case of Ebola diagnosed in the U.S. comes as no surprise to infectious disease experts at MUSC. “There have been several false alarms before now, which shows that health care systems are paying attention to patients’ symptoms and epidemiology,” said L.W. Preston Church, M.D., associate professor in MUSC’s Infectious Diseases Division. “People are thinking about Ebola and taking appropriate action.”

“What we are seeing now is a deliberate, thoughtful, organized team approach to investigation and management.”

Dr. Preston Church The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that a man who traveled to Dallas, Texas, from Liberia tested positive for Ebola.

Doctors treated him in an isolation unit at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital where he died Oct. 8. The CDC said that he did not develop Ebola symptoms until after flying from West Africa. Public health officials are monitoring the people he came into contact with in the U.S. “What we are seeing now is a deliberate, thoughtful, organized team approach to investigation and management,” said Church.

A suspected Ebola case at MUSC would be handled in a similar fashion, he said. If MUSC had someone who had recently been to West Africa and had symptoms compatible with Ebola infection (fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), the patient would immediately be placed in isolation – a room that allows doctors to control contact with the patient and ensures the careful use and disposal of protective gear for health personnel and other items used to treat the patient.

“Contact would be established with state health officials and the CDC to address the public health measures – identifying contacts and assessing individual risk,” Church said.

Church recently served on an MUSC panel

discussion about Ebola, sponsored by MUSC’s Center for Global Health.

Other panelists included Gail Stuart, Ph.D., dean of the MUSC College of Nursing; John Vena, Ph.D., professor and the founding chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences at MUSC; and Jeffery Deal, M.D., director of Health Studies for Water Missions International, a non-profit organization that helps ensure people in developing countries and disaster zones have access to safe water.

At the Sept. 25 event on the MUSC campus, the panel and a large audience watched the PBS Frontline documentary “Ebola Outbreak,” then discussed the Ebola crisis in West Africa.

The issue was personal for third-year medical student John Odeghe, who is from Nigeria. His country has had eight deaths from Ebola. While his president recently declared Nigeria “Ebola free,” neighboring countries in West Africa are not.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 3,400 people have died in this Ebola outbreak, making it the worst on record. Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have seen the greatest impact from the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that if effective measures are not found to stop Ebola’s spread, the number of people infected could reach 1.4 million by Jan. 20.

Panelists, from left, Drs. John Vena, L.W. Preston Church, Gail Stuart and Jeffery L. Deal lead a panel discussion.

Odeghe asked the MUSC Ebola panel: “Has there been any effort to try involve the leaders of the communities, like the chieftains and other people the villagers listen to?”

Some of the panelists were able to answer from personal experience. Stuart, who has been working with

photos by Helen Adams, Public Relations

Medical student John Odeghe joins the discussion with a panel of experts at MUSC exploring the impact of Ebola on his home region of West Africa. nurses in Liberia in person and via Skype, told Odeghe what they’ve been doing.

“The strategy we have been using to reduce the stigma of Ebola was to engage the traditional providers - the witch doctors, the family members,” Stuart said. “There has been a huge campaign to engage them. I think that has been identified as critically important because they are the first line of caregiving for many people.”

Deal, whose work with Water Missions International took him to Liberia as well, told the audience about what he saw in Ebola treatment units.

“It was patients on the floor, shoulder to shoulder.

You had to step over each one to get to the next,” Deal said.

“Half of them had spontaneous bleeding, and that was in the ‘suspected case’ ward. Thirty percent tested negative. If you didn’t have Ebola when you came there, you had it when you left.”

Vena spoke from his perspective as a professor of public health sciences at MUSC. “Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases - this is not going to be the last,” said Vena. “There will be other diseases. There will be people traveling around the world, and it’s only inevitable that there will be cases of these emerging infectious diseases that are going to land in South Carolina. No doubt about that in my mind.”

The CaTalysT, Oct. 10, 2014 5

Meet Annie

Annie Greene Department Sterile Processing Laboratory How you are changing what’s possible at MUSC When young SPD techs join our department, I encourage them to do their best and perform to their highest potential in order for them to move forward and advance their careers here at MUSC. How long at MUSC 5 years Favorite fall memory Driving through the mountains to visit my in-laws in Indiana. Seeing the different color of the leaves was amazing.

Something about my department that people don’t know Many people don’t know that the Sterile Processing Department exists and the everyday work that we do — make a perfect process work to ensure patient safety.

First thing you notice about a person Their presence. Whether it’s walking into a room or passing by in the hallway - their emotions, confidence and candor stand out to me.

6 The CaTalysT, Oct. 10, 2014

PiTTs

Continued from Page One

leader in research and advocacy in the field of domestic violence. She and our other speakers are experts and leaders in their fields and we are happy to bring them together to share in these important discussions,” Sade said.

The event is free to MUSC students, faculty and staff. Participants must register prior to the event at http:// academicdepartments.musc.edu/ humanvalues/lectureship/registration. htm. For event information, contact Megan Fier at fier@musc.edu, 876-4843.

Topics will include: q Session I: Outcomes of Domestic Violence Lethal Outcomes of Domestic Violence (keynote address) — Jacquelyn Campbell, Ph.D., R.N., Johns Hopkins University; Psychological Outcomes of Domestic Violence on Victims and Children — Alyssa Rheingold, Ph.D., MUSC q Session II: Domestic Violence as a Crime Domestic Violence is a Crime — Magistrate Court Judge Ellen Steinberg,

J.D., S.C. Judicial Department; Domestic Violence is a Social Problem, Not a Criminal Act — Cassandra Woosley, J.D., Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office–Charleston q Session III: Mandatory Reporting of Domestic Violence Mandatory Reporting of Intimate Partner Violence Saves Lives — Peter Romary, J.D., East Carolina University; Mandatory Reporting of Intimate Partner Violence is Too Dangerous for the Victim — Peggy Goodman, M.D., East Carolina University q Session IV: Solutions Intimate Partner Violence: The Role of the Health Professions — Jane Liebschutz, M.D., Boston University; The Solution to Domestic Violence: An Integrated Community Response — Pamela Jacobs, J.D., Pamela Jacobs Consulting q Session V: Interactive Faculty and Audience Discussion — Robert Sade, M.D.

ThoMas a. PiTTs Thomas Antley Pitts II, M.D., (1893 - 1991) served as a member of the board of MUSC for 36 years and served as its chairman for 25 of those years. He left a bequest to endow a series of lectures on medical ethics. The series has become known as the Pitts Memorial Lectureship and has been held annually since 1993.

The CaTalysT, Oct. 10, 2014 7

Do No Harm campaign targets domestic violence Staff Reports

It all starts with a conversation, which is why 150 “Do No Harm” posters will be scattered across MUSC’s campus in October.

The brainchild of forensic nurse Kathleen Gill–Hopple, Ph.D., R.N., the campaign is part of creating a culture of awareness. Each poster features a personal message, “I care about domestic violence because…”

October 8 marked the nationally recognized day, “Health Cares About Domestic Violence” sponsored by the organization Futures Without Violence.

The goal is to increase awareness among health care providers during October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness month.

“It’s not that people aren’t individually aware that domestic violence exists, it’s just translating it to the workplace in a way that makes a difference,” she said. “My goal for this campaign is to not have it be in the closet any more but to be up in front of everyone’s face.”

That’s why many employees featured in the posters hold leadership positions on campus. The more upper management leadership becomes involved, the easier it is to pay attention and start having those critical conversations that can lead to change, she said. One change she hopes to see is mandatory screening for domestic violence becoming a part of the

photo by Helen Adams, Public Relations

Forensic nurses Nancy Hall (left), and Dr. Kathy Gill-Hopple support the Do No Harm campaign to raise awareness on campus. standard intake for patients. Currently, there’s not a standardized process for it.

Gill–Hopple, forensic nurse examiner program coordinator, serves on the MUSC Domestic Violence Steering Committee that was formed in March of this year to spearhead efforts to generate a grassroots effort to change the culture, creating a zero tolerance environment for domestic violence.

The campaign fell together before the recent press reports about the extent of the problem in the state: An estimated 1–in–4 women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime.

“The stars aligned, and the doors opened,” she said of the timing of the

I care about domestic violence because it can be devastating to families.

Dr. Wendy Lazenby

campaign. “We’re so huge, it can be hard to find the people who have a commitment or passion for this and bring them all together.”

The campaign starts the conversations

needed to make policy changes that that begin to address the issues. A coordinated educational push is needed to help staff learn how to help patients in a culturally–appropriate way that is non–confrontational and lets health professionals know about resources and how patients can access them.

This already is done with sexual assault in what has been proven to be an effective, holistic model. “We need to do the same thing with domestic violence. In South Carolina, we should be the leaders in what’s happening.”

For those who want to get involved, there are many volunteer opportunities.

In the meantime, Gill–Hopple encourages staff and faculty to show their support for preventing domestic violence by posting their own version of the Do No Harm photo and sharing it on their social media accounts using #MUSC and #DomesticViolenceDay. Another good resource is MUSC’s College of Nursing’s page on Domestic Violence guidelines at http://www.

8 The CaTalysT, Oct. 10, 2014

photo by Mikie Hayes, Public Relations

Radiologist Dr. Paul Thacker, from left, joins Nalleley Mendoza-Perez and daughters, Hope and Zuanney, before Hope’s biopsy.

Proceedure may change biopsy approach for children

By Mikie hayes Public Relations A sweet and tiny Hope Mendoza–Perez had been having a rough year. In March, she was hospitalized with pneumonia.

Then, late in the summer, her mother, Nalleley Mendoza, noticed Hope’s knee was swollen. Because of the pain, Hope preferred to crawl than to walk, and she would plop herself over on one side to avoid putting any pressure on the area that hurt her. The situation concerned Nalleley so she brought her toddler from Bluffton to MUSC to be seen.

Paul Thacker, M.D., a pediatric imaging expert and assistant professor in the Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, was called in to evaluate how best to determine what they were dealing with. Magnetic resonance imaging of Hope’s knee showed a mass within the distal femoral epiphysis, the lower femur, right next to the knee joint. Based on the MRI, the choices for diagnosis were either a tumor or an infection in the bone, both of which, according to Thacker, were exceedingly

rare in a 16–month–old child.

Hope would need a biopsy and she underwent both an ultrasound and a computed tomography scan. The mass, however, was not apparent on either imaging study. While standard imageguided biopsy techniques in children are either done with ultrasound or CT, since the mass could not be seen on either study, Thacker could not use them to do the biopsy.

Thacker and Hope’s orthopaedic surgeon, James Mooney, M.D., professor of pediatric orthopaedic surgery, decided they had two options: Thacker could either perform a MRI-guided biopsy — which he could find no evidence had ever been performed on a child in the United States — or Dr. Mooney could go in and surgically try to resect it - which would be far more invasive and very difficult given the tiny size of the lesion, only 8 millimeters.

Thacker explained, “Standard extremity CTs generally provide significant anatomic information, particular when a mass is calcified.

See Scan on page 9

The CaTalysT, Oct. 10, 2014 9

MUSC celebrates Physician Assistants week

By Megan e. FulTon Department of Neurosurgery MUSC, in conjunction with the South Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants, would like to wish physician assistants a happy PA Week.

National PA Week is Oct. 6 to Oct. 12 and we would like to recognize the 68 practicing PAs at MUSC for their hard work and dedication.

A physician assistant is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional who works as a part of a physician–led team to help provide medical care to patients. PAs are trained to take a medical history and examine patients, diagnose illnesses and injuries, assist in surgery, prescribe medications, and counsel on preventive care. PAs can practice in all specialties of medicine and are represented in almost every department at MUSC. SCAPA is the state organization for PAs. Gabrielle Poole, PA-C, a PA with the Department of Orthopaedics, is the current SCAPA president. Each year, SCAPA sends representatives to serve on the American Academy of Physicians Assistants House of Delegates, the

sCan Continued from Page Eight However, Hope’s lesion was not and was invisible on CT. MRI demonstrates both anatomic and physiologic information, therefore, edema caused by a tumor or a noncalcified soft tissue tumor is more readily apparent. Plus, you can get a sense of what areas of a tumor may have higher yield on biopsy.”

Thacker decided to try the MRI route, given that the mass was only seen on MRI, even though this novel approach would be something completely out of the ordinary. He was excited about the prospects of testing it out. “I said to myself, ‘Yeah, we can probably do that!’”

While MRI-guided biopsies are performed fairly commonly in adults,

policy making body, to ensure their voice is represented on important decisions affecting how PAs practice.

Megan Fulton, PA–C, a PA with the Department of Neurosurgery, attended this year’s conference in Boston as one of three S.C. delegates.

This year SCAPA created the ASPIRE Committee, chaired by Rebecca Cumbee, PA–C, a PA with the Department of Urology, to offer opportunities for students desiring to enter the PA profession to learn more about PAs. SCAPA partners with the Physician Assistant Program here at the Medical University. Currently, MUSC is home to the only program in the state, matriculating around 60 students each year. The PA program is a 27–month curriculum in which students earn a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies upon completion.

First–year PA students have several exciting events planned to help celebrate PA Week this year. They will participate in the Health Fair at the Dream Center’s Hope for Healing Walk on Oct. 4 and will host an information session about the PA

such as in breast biopsies, this is not the case with children. As Thacker researched the subject, he was only able to find an example of the procedure being performed on children in Europe and Asia, and even then, it was rare and information sparse.

Even with the advances in CT scanning, such as faster scanning times and higher resolution images, the benefits of an MRI–guided biopsy are many. With MRI, Thacker would be able to precisely locate and remove cells from the suspicious areas for diagnosis and treatment planning; the procedure would be minimally invasive; and, unlike CT, the MRI uses no radiation.

One concern Thacker had prior to the procedure was the time it could take to perform it. CT is very quick and CT–guided biopsies are relatively

photo provided

AAPA SC House of Delegates reps Victor Gomez, from left, Megan Fulton and Chad Robinson attend the 2014 AAPA meeting in Boston. profession at the College of Charleston, a luncheon to show their appreciation for their faculty and Anatomy teaching assistants and a bake sale to raise funds for students to attend the national conference next May. PAs at MUSC have been participating in the Advanced Practice Professional Task Force over the past two years.

The task force was developed to assist MUSC administration in identifying PA and nurse practitioner role definition, education and training, work productivity and reimbursement services. MUSC PA’s who have helped in

this process are Gabrielle Poole, Megan Fulton, Paul Jacques, and Beth Griffin.

There is a lot to celebrate during PA Week here at MUSC. Poole said, “It is an exciting time for PAs in our state and within our organization. Working as a part of the health care team, PAs are able to help increase access to quality health care for a greater number of patients.

“One of the greatest joys of my job as a PA for the Department of Orthopedics is taking time with each of my patients to help them understand osteoarthritis and how it can be treated to positively impact their quality of life.”

short procedures. In contrast, MRI scans may last an hour or longer. He wouldn’t want it to take any longer, as a small child under anesthesia for a prolonged period of time is always a concern. There were some unknowns going in to the procedure, and Thacker would have to safely improvise with the equipment he had.

However, if this MRI–guided biopsy were to go well, and the time was not much longer than what a CT– guided biopsy would take, it would be a monumental advancement in how children undergo image-guided biopsy.

Thacker said, “MRI–guided biopsies have been performed in adults, but not commonly for bone masses. Children, however, are another story entirely – to my

knowledge it has only been performed a handful of times in the world. For one, it’s time-intensive and can take longer than other modalities; up to an hour.

Also, there is less expertise on how to perform the procedure given its rare usage.”

Thacker continued, “This is extremely important for us. If we can safely and quickly do it in children, we can significantly reduce or stop doing CT biopsies and decrease radiation exposure to our children. Radiation is a huge concern and this would be a better choice. Radiation-induced cancer is a known risk. By using MRI, we could eliminate that risk.”

As Hope waited to go back for her procedure, she and her sister Zuanney, 3, played on the floor with a bright red

See Scan on page 11

10 The CaTalysT, Oct. 10, 2014

Flu vaccine distribution: Oct. 15-16 Students take shot get your lunch and flu Flu season is just around the shots at one convenient corner and MUSC Employee Health location. Updates and is preparing to fight this illness other flu satellites will be among employees. Five to 20 percent announced soon and will of Americans contract influenza be posted on www.musc. yearly, and on average around edu/ehs website.

200,000 of them are hospitalized with the illness or complications related to the disease.

Wellness Events With an estimated 36,000 deaths q Flu vaccine tents: food annually from influenza and its trucks and healthy grabcomplications, it is the nation’s and-go options will be eighth leading cause of death. CDC available Oct. 15 and 16.

Susan Johnson and the Advisory Committee on Check broadcast messages.

Immunization Practices recommend q The October Mindful that all health care workers get an annual Challenge is to change it up: explore flu vaccine. By getting vaccinated, health something new - take a new route! Take care workers can protect their health, the Monthly Mindful Challenge survey their family’s health and the health of at http://tinyurl.com/ok8gk5t (A link to their patients. final survey will be sent at month’s end Flu vaccine is available for all MUSC to those who take the first survey). employees and students. Beginning last q Employee Fitness Series: Wednesday, year the compulsory influenza policy Oct. 15, 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Strength and (C166 on the Intranet) was updated to Conditioning at the MUSC Fitness Park eliminate personal choice as a reason for (behind Drug Discovery on the grass), declining and eliminate mask wearing weather permitting. Class will tone and for non-recipients. Religious reasons and strengthen lean muscles with a cardio medical reasons (history of paralyzing workout. Free day pass to the MUSC illness or allergy to eggs for those age Wellness Center for all participants.

50 and older, a non–egg based vaccine Check in at the Wellness Center is available for those 49 and younger) membership desk for information or are the only valid reasons for declining. email musc-empwell@musc.edu to Those who refuse the vaccine for other register. reasons are at risk of termination of q HCC mobile van will be located employment or termination of volunteer behind the Clyburn Research Plaza or academic relationships. This policy performing digital mammograms for applies to the following: MUSC Medical employees on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Call Center employees, trainees, students/ 792-0878 to make an appointment visiting students, volunteers, contract q Worksite screening — Thursday, staff, medical staff, temporary workers, Oct. 23, Wellness Center Auditorium. medical residents, and volunteers. This The screening, valued at about $350, applies whether paid or unpaid staff. is available to employees of the State For fast and convenient service, Health Plan (including the MUSC employees are encouraged to receive the Health Plan) for only $15 (covered flu vaccine at one of the campuswide spouses also can participate for $15). satellites hosted by Employee Health Employees and spouses without Services and Infection Control. Bring this insurance can participate for your MUSC ID badge and your MUSC $42. Register at www.musc.edu/ ID number (located in My Records). employeewellness.

Students may obtain the vaccine from q Coupons for Crops is an MUSC Student Health Services, however agency Urban Farm Initiative to recognize and other non-MUSC paid employees outstanding staff behaviors. Coupons are not eligible. The annual Flu Vaccine are redeemable for Urban Farm produce.

Tent Event is scheduled for Oct. 15 Pick up locations on Tuesdays (Urban from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Farm) or Wednesdays (Horseshoe from Library and ART porticos and on Oct. 12 to 1 p.m.). Managers should email 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Library urbanfarm@musc.edu with coupon portico. Food vendors will be on site so requests.

Health at work

at flu prevention

By Megan MCgugan SC College of Pharmacy As we bring our jeans out from the back of our closets, drape that light jacket over our shoulders on cool mornings and begin to indulge in everything pumpkin, our minds and bodies prepare for the return of autumn.

Autumn requires some other necessary preparations, too, as October marks the beginning of flu season. What better way to get ready than by getting vaccinated?

According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, there were almost 2000 flu–related hospitalizations in South Carolina from 2013 to 2014.

The flu is a worldwide virus that requires a necessary means of prevention. Here at MUSC, our outpatient pharmacies, as well as employee and student health, offer the flu vaccine to students, faculty, employees, and the general public.

On Sept. 24, the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists hosted a flu clinic to vaccinate students within the College of Pharmacy. Fourth–year students were able to practice their immunization techniques on their peers and successfully administered over 200 vaccines in total.

photo provided

Fourth-year pharmacy student Mario Machado delivers a flu shot to co-student Molly Harpe.

Leo Gonzalez, a fourth–year student who helped with the immunization event, said “As cooler weather approaches, we spend more time indoors with our friends, family, and patients.

The best way to prevent and protect yourself from getting the flu is by simply getting your flu shot.”

So whether we are ready or not, flu season has arrived. Make sure you stay happy and healthy for the holidays by getting your flu vaccine as soon as possible.

Nominations are being accepted for MUSC honorary degrees until Oct. 31 The Office of the President is accepting nominations for persons to receive honorary degrees from MUSC. The degrees will be awarded at MUSC’s Commencement ceremony in May 2015.

In general, honorary degrees go to individuals in the following broad categories: q Contribution(s) to the nation q Contribution(s) to science q Contribution(s) to the state or MUSC.

Individuals can submit nominations of candidates along with supporting materials such as letters, articles, curriculum vitae, etc., in the above mentioned categories.

The nominations should be forwarded to Marcia Higaki, Office of the President, Colcock Hall, 179 Ashley Ave., MSC 001, higakimc@ musc.edu. Submissions are due no later than Oct. 31.

Note that nominations of MUSC alumni are generally discouraged.

The CaTalysT, Oct. 10, 2014 11

Furniture

Homes For Sale

King Size Plush Set New, will sacrifice for $275 843-270-4283

Dntn, 6 Poulmot Ln. near Colonial Lake. 3BR/2.5BA 1800 + sf, Hdwd flrs, all appli., beautiful space, like-new home, porch, court yd, Great location! $2800 843-260-2078

Full Mattress Set with Euro Pillow Top New $140. Please Call: 843-270-4283 A-Queen Pillowtop that is Brand New in Plastic. Will take $150. Please call 843-270-4283

Items for Sale 3 new packs of Adult diapers, $6/pk. 36 bottles spray body cleanser, $1ea. 843-723-7147

sCan Continued from Page Nine shape-sorter and a Dora the Explorer doll while their mom stroked their hair and laughed at their antics.

Hope, the more reserved of the two, watched her big sister twirl around and show off her sparkly jewelry to all admirers.

The very busy young girls listened intently as their mother spoke through her Spanish-language interpreter, sharing her confidence in Dr. Thacker and MUSC and her gratitude for the kind treatment she and her daughters had received from the doctors and nurses.

“I feel special,” she said. “MUSC has been the best hospital. I am in a place where people are treating me so well and making me feel comfortable. Not having any family here, that is very important. I am so grateful for the kindness, and I feel very good being here.”

The Mendozas live in a small trailer in Bluffton, behind the home of Nallaley’s sister-in-law, Norma Manun, and her brother, Felipe’ Mendoza. “My family has been my support system and my backbone during such a stressful time,” she said.

When it was close to time for Hope to go back to pre–op, Zuanney held her little sister tightly. While Hope had no clue what was about to happen, everyone gathered around and hoped for a good outcome.

The procedure itself took 20 minutes. From the time Hope was put to sleep until she left the MRI suite was about an hour. The good news for all concerned

was that Hope’s lesion was an infection which was easily treated with a course of antibiotics. She is under the care of Mooney showing marked relief from her symptoms after the procedure.

Thacker was pleased that the lesion was treatable with medicine rather than a tumor which would need to be resected. He was also equally excited about successful results of the procedure – especially what it means for the future. “It was fabulous,” he said. “The outcome was better than to be expected. I initially thought this would take significantly longer than a CT-guided procedure, but since the technical challenges were similar to that experienced in CT biopsies, and it took approximately the same amount of time, we will probably attempt to shift a majority of our children who would’ve had a CT-guided procedures over to the MRIguided biopsy.”

“This case epitomizes the challenge and the joy of being a pediatric radiologist in a quaternary care center like MUSC Children’s Hospital,” said Jeanne Hill, M.D., director of the Division of Pediatric Radiology.

“Collaboration is the key to improving patient safety, outcomes, and the quality of health care, and, as a division, we take great pride in our relationships with our clinical colleagues. I strongly believe that the collaborative efforts of MUSC clinicians and radiologists enable us to solve difficult diagnostic problems, like Hope’s, together in creative and innovative ways.”

12 The CaTalysT, Oct. Sept.10, 5, 2014