OPHTHALMOLOGY UPDATE

The University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Vol. 24, No. 7, March 12, 2010

Dr. Mahajan Featured in Daily Iowan Story, March 10

An article featuring Dr. Vinit Mahajan and coworkers was on page 2 of The Daily Iowan on March 10. In the article, Dr. Mahajan remarked: "My mentors have invested their efforts into training me for one goal: cure the blind." Dr. Mahajan has been researching, teaching and performing eye surgeries at the UI for almost four years. Read the article and view the slide show at http://www.dailyiowan.com/2010/03/10/Metro/16136.html

Highlights from Staff Meeting, March 5, 2010

Sarah mentioned two people who will be around clinic for the next few weeks. Trista Gehling is a student in medical assisting that will be doing her externship with us. She has been in Retina observing and assisting in the Injection Clinic on M-W-F’s. She will rotate to various areas as time allows.

Patti Stolling, a graduate student, is doing a process evaluation of Eye Clinic patient delays. At the end of her project, she will share information that may be helpful in reducing patient “wait times” and ultimately increase patient satisfaction.

Pink billing sheets were discussed, these can be a big delay for the patient when the sheets are not turned in upon his/her arrival. A temporary solution is to post instructions/reminders in the waiting rooms alongside a laminated pink sheet. Eventually, billing will be done within EPIC, and those sheets will no longer be needed. We have yet to hear a time estimate on that. It has been delayed.

There was a reminder to finish cleaning your in-baskets, and to check every 24 hours for possible need to route. By checking it, this will eliminate the need to “clean” it as we’ve had to. See Sarah Smith or Mary Klinefelter if you need assistance.

Sarah Smith held an inservice on Service Recovery. Many examples on how patient dissatisfaction has and can be turned around, within our clinic were discussed. If you missed this, please see the Powerpoint Presentation linked here.

A discussion regarding the misuse of computers during worktime was initiated. Sarah Smith shared some documentation on one week’s misuse of the computer at UIHC. It was astounding how much abuse had been documented. Remember usage is being monitored, don’t be part of this problem.

*This translates to about 40 full time staff members (FTE's) doing nothing but cruising unsuitable internet sites in a one-week period.

University of Iowa Health Care―River Crossing to Open Monday

UI Health Care, River Crossing will open on Monday, March 15th. The new clinic is located at 3056 River Crossing Court near Riverside, at the southeast corner of Highways 218 and 22.

To celebrate its grand opening, a public open house will be held on Saturday, April 24, from 1 to 3 p.m.

With extended primary care hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, UI Health Care—River Crossing was designed to provide patients with the best possible experience and their needs in mind. Community input was a key factor in planning and developing UI Health Care―River Crossing to meet community needs including onsite lab and radiology equipment, a full-service pharmacy with drive through, and an optical shop. For more information about UI Health Care―River Crossing visit http://www.uihealthcare.com/kxic/2010/03/river_crossing.html.

UI Health Care―River Crossing, 319-467-8355 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

UI Health Care―River Crossing Pharmacy, 319-467-8355 Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

UI Health Care―River Crossing Optical Shop, 319-467-8335 Hours: Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

March is National Eye Donor Month

This month marks the 27th Anniversary of National Eye Donor Month; President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Eye Donor Month in 1983 to honor past donors and their families for the tremendous gift of sight they have given. (press release)

Iowa Eye Alumni Reception Scheduled

Iowa Alumni Reception (at the Annual Meeting of AAO)

Sunday, October 17, 2010, 6:30 – 9:30 PM

Intercontinental Hotel, Camelot Room, 505 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago

Angel Bracelets for Amanda

Kathleen Jacobsen in Perimetry has taken up the banner in raising money to Doreen Dykhuizen’s niece, Amanda, who is very ill. Kathleen earlier sent out a note about this latest effort:

“Many of you are aware that Dori from Retina has a niece, Amanda who is very ill. I am supplying the beads to make angel bracelets with the proceeds to go to Amanda and her family. I have a variety of colors for the “skirts” and the choice of gold or silver for a halo. The price is $5 per bracelet. You can custom make a bracelet with your favorite color and your exact size. They would make a great gift for grandmas, mothers, aunts, nieces, sisters, sister-in-laws, daughters or favorite co-worker. Anyone would be delighted that you took time out of your busy day to make something for them. (they don’t need to know it only took 5 minutes! Admin has asked that the bracelets be done on our your time, not work time). My mother passed away this last fall and when I told my niece about the bracelets she said that she kept Gram in her heart every day but now she could keep her with her too with an angel bracelet with her birthstone color for the skirt which I think it is a great idea.”

Stop by Retina to see what they look like and go by Kathleen’s room in Perimetry to get your beads. If Kathleen’s door is shut, she is testing and should not be disturbed.

Doreen added: “Hospice was brought in last week and Amanda has stopped her daily radiation treatments. The masses are continuing to grow. Her prognosis is weeks not months at this point. We are continuing with the bead bracelets and also Kathleen’s generous offer of her beautiful bracelets. The bead bracelets are in the Retina office where there is also a printout with information on Amanda. I cannot express how much this means to me and my family. I have pulled up emails and the Update at home and sent them to my in-laws and to Amanda herself. We are all so touched by the love being shown to a girl that no one here has met. I would also like to tell you that one of the Retina girls raised $340.00 for Amanda selling bracelets at a cheerleader competition at the end of February. What a Godsend for my niece.”

Birth Announcements

Samantha Lee Rauen

Cornea Fellow, Matt Rauen announces the arrival of Samantha Lee Rauen on March 11 at 2:20pm. Samantha was 7 lbs, 12 oz., 19.25 inches. (photo right)

Michele Prottsman, Nurses’ station, announces the birth of Josellyn Prottsman March 10th. Josellyn was 6 lbs. 12 oz., 20” and “perfect in every way.” (photo not yet available, stay tuned)

Everyone is doing well.