Welcome to the inaugural edition of Round Table, the newsletter for the faculty of the University of Virginia School of Medicine. This quick read (with links if you want more in-depth information) is planned to keep us all up to date.

In this edition we have features on the ACGME accreditation, LCME survey, clinic and inpatient flow information, an in-depth section on major changes in the grants process, updates on the exciting new construction and projected dates for completion, and a faculty focus feature on Karen C. Johnston, M.D.

     
 

GME Program Will Have Site Visit August 1

The Health System will have another site visit and evaluation of our Graduate Medical Education (GME) program on August 1. There have been substantial changes and improvements which have been made since the initial findings of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and more are planned over the summer.  A positive site visit should have the program removed from probation in October…FULL STORY

 
 

Medical School LCME Accreditation Visit Set for October 8 - 11

  A team from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) will be on Grounds for a four-day site visit as part of our Medical School reaccreditation. The upcoming process is detailed in the full story…FULL STORY
 
 

State Budget Brings Good News for SOM, Medical Center

  The School of Medicine and Medical Center will receive major financial support from the state for several projects, pending Gov. Kaine’s signature. The largest amount is the $25 million appropriation for the Cancer Center building.  The University will also receive approximately $22.5 million for research, some of which will come to the SOM…FULL STORY
 
 

Multiple Approaches to Easing Capacity Crunch

 

The hospital is moving forward with plans to increase our bed capacity to handle the growing number of patients we are treating on a daily basis. However, until this major project comes on line in a few years, we have three initiatives which will help ease the capacity crunch. The first two are internal construction, with the expansion of the PACU and the establishment of a short stay unit.

The PACU expansion will be operational July 8th, with the short stay operational in early 2007. This will allow us to treat additional patients through an increase in our physical capacity. However, the third initiative has the most immediate and effective impact on our ability to improve our capacity:  timely discharge of patients.

This initiative will ensure the most effective way to help patients return home once they are ready. On the heels of a recent day when greater than 50 percent of hospital discharges were made by noon, it is good to review the progress which has been made over the past two years. Discharges by noon have risen 80% to an institutional level of 45%...FULL STORY

 
 

The New Federal Grants Process: Top 10 Q & A

  The final phase of the federal government initiative to streamline the grants process into a single electronic portal will be implemented in less than a year. Sarah White and her staff in the Office of Grants and Contract Administration have already been working with many of you to assist in this new electronic endeavor at Grants.gov. Here is a list of Top 10 questions and answers which may assist you in navigating the process. Sarah and her staff are also available to help you through this process...FULL STORY
 
 

Decade Plan Update Completed

  After much committee work, review and commentary the Decade Plan for the University of Virginia Health System is available. We had input from over 200 faculty and staff from the entire Health System. I encourage all faculty to take the time to review the plan—at least the Executive Summary....LINK to Decade Plan
 
 

Construction Projects to Impact Campus for Several Years

  Last year’s groundbreaking for the Carter-Harrison Research Building begins construction of three new research buildings. In education, we are also planning the Claude Moore Medical Education building; groundbreaking occurred for Claude Moore Nursing Education Building; patient care brings great promise for new space with the Cancer Center building and the Children’s Hospital outpatient facility. Along with the outstanding facilities will come the “pain” of the inevitable construction traffic and temporary relocations. We all appreciate your tolerance…TIMELINE
 

Faculty Focus:

Karen Johnston, M.D., M.Sc., Looks to Build on ELAM Experience…FULL STORY
     
     Please do let me hear from you about what you read here and other issues you would like to see discussed by emailing to me at Garson@virginia.edu. This newsletter should result in information exchange among us - just as the name implies - like sitting at a round table.
   

Tim Garson