News from the University Hospital at Downstate
December 2022

A Message from David H. Berger, MD, MHCM, FACS, CEO of University Hospital at Downstate

The We Care Journey Keeps Moving Us Forward!

Over the past year, we have been on our We Care Journey that brings us closer towards becoming a High Reliability Organization (HRO) and achieving ZERO Harm. Part of this work includes equipping all staff with the necessary skills to deliver an exceptional experience as well as leverage high reliability tools to achieve this goal. To accomplish this, we need you to participate in the Universal Reliability and Relationship Skills (URRS) Training. This training is the first of two mandatory trainings that will take place, the other being LEAN PI Methodology Training, which is scheduled to begin in early 2023.

The objectives of the URRS Training are to:

• Provide foundational reliability and relationship skills in alignment with our WeCARE values
• Role model expected behaviors
• Teach the language of WeCARE

After completing this, staff will be able to display uniformity in skills, behaviors, and language that ensures our patients, visitors, and colleagues are treated safely and respectfully every time they enter our facility.

All UHD employees, clinical and nonclinical, are required to complete one of the 4-hour training sessions that will be offered weekly by June 1^st, 2023.

In addition, alternate training offerings will be available for Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Residents to accommodate their clinical schedule, but are welcome to register and complete URRS training in person.

To register for your training session, click here. Please contact Tyshawn Toney (tyshawn.toney@downstate.edu) if you have any inquiries.

On a final note, as we embark upon the end of the year, we have so many great accomplishments to be proud of at UHD. I am confident in 2023 that we will take even greater strides on our We Care Journey. I would like to wish you a happy and safe holiday season as we continue to prosper in the New Year. Thank you for your continued commitment to safety and progress at Downstate!

Honoring our Case Managers

We would like to recognize our Case Management Team here at Downstate for their dedication, advocacy, and collaboration. The role of our Case Managers is based on Patient-Centered Care Coordination. They facilitate communication with Care Partners and Community Partners, which ensures a safe transition from the acute hospital stay to a patient’s home or post-acute facility.

Our Case Managers show their value to the institution by being an integral part of our daily operations and by being advocates for the patients we serve. They collaborate with the multi-disciplinary team to execute discharge plans and ensure that services are utilized in a timely and appropriate manner to ensure the most efficient approach for our patients and the hospital.

Amid the various challenges encountered over the past year, our Case Managers have effortlessly shown their resilience. Case Managers are all valued members at Downstate and we could not be the great institution we are without your wonderful contributions. We thank you and appreciate all that you do on a daily basis.

Celebrating Radiology Technologic Week 2022

This past November 6-12 during Radiology Technologic Week, our Department of Radiology recognized the outstanding contributions made by our radiology technologists for delivering the highest quality of imaging care for our patients.

This year's theme for Radiology Technologic Week was "Aiming To Heal". The celebration takes place each year to commemorate the discovery of the x-ray by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on November 8, 1895.

In honor of our radiology technologists, the Department of Radiology held a luncheon on November 10, 2022, and a breakfast on November 17, 2022.

Please join us in commending our radiology technologists and all the amazing things they do for our patients. Enjoy a few pictures taken during Radiology Technologic Week 2022.