Intercom

Volume2/1986_April07INTERCOM UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER Organ Donor Week to Focus on Physicians and Nurses Physicians and nurses are key to the success of the organ donation, procurement and transplant program and will be the focus of University Hospital's educational efforts during National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, April 20-27. "Public awareness of the need has increased to where we now have the next of kin of potential donors telling us, 'But, I was never asked,'" according to Gail Sylvies, R.N., coordinator of the Intermountain Transplant Center at University Hospital. A combined Surgery/Nursing Grand Rounds on "Organ Procurement and Transplantation" is planned for Thursday, April 24, at noon in Classroom B. "A surgeon will explain the latest transplant techniques, nursing's responsibilities will be explored and the LDS/University/Veterans hospitals' combined organ sharing program will be explained as well as University Hospital's policies," Ms. Sylvies says. "There still is a hesitancy on the part of the hospital's clinical staff to get involved and recommend organ donation when they are dealing with a brain-dead patient," she says. "There shouldn't be. All they have to do is call 36-DONOR, day or night, and we will take care of the details including talking with the donor's family if they wish," the transplant center coordinator says. "We need to remind our professional staff that when they can't offer a patient's family hope, they can offer consolation through the organ donation program," according to Mary Jayne Stevens, executive director of the Utah Lions Eye and Tissue Bank, operated through the University of Utah School of Medicine's Department of Ophthalmology. "There is a critical need for all organs and tissues and it is a shame to let a procurement opportunity pass be-cause a doctor or a nurse did not have the time, the desire or know how to access the procurement system," she says. Henry J. Heimlich, M.D., whose famed " Heimlich Maneuver" is credited with saving thousands of lives, will present "COPD and the Use of the Heimlich Microtrach," on Tuesday, April 8 from noon-1 p.m. in Classroom B, of the School of Medicine. Dr. Heimlich, professor of advanced clinical sciences at Xavier University in Cincinnati, will review a system of transtracheal oxygen administration that has been developed as a more effective method of rehabilitating COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, than are traditional systems for providing continuous oxygen therapy. The presentation, especially pertinent to family practice physicians, will familiarize clinicians and other health care personnel with the use of the microtrach technique. It is approved It's time to sign up for University Hospital's Softball action this summer. Team rosters and a $50 non-refundable entree fee is due by Tuesday, April 15. They can be turned in to Bob Jones in Housekeeping, room AB65, or Ken Johnson in Community Relations, room 2753. Employees who would like to play Softball and don't have a team to play Corneas, tendons, bone, nerves, skin, hearts, heart/ lungs, kidneys, livers and pancreata now are harvested for transplant. for one hour category one continuing medical education and is supported by an educational grant from Glaxo Pharmaceuticals. Besides inventing his famous Heimlich Maneuver, Dr. Heimlich has been credited in the 1950s with the first successful replacement of an internal organ - the esophagus. He developed a portable oxygen system to provide a normal life for patients suffering from emphysema and other chronic lung diseases, he developed a new procedure to teach stroke victims who have lost the ability to swallow how to eat in a normal manner, and he invented a chest drainage technique that saved hundreds of lives in the Southeast Asia conflict and is now widely used in civilian chest surgery and emergency facilities. with should contact either Bob or Ken by the 15th who will try to find one for them. The Softball season is scheduled to begin May 15. All games will be played on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday's games will be played at Fairmont Park (900 East 2300 South) and games the other two nights will be near the Utah State Fairgrounds. Heimlich to Visit School of Medicine Softball Season Starts Soon University Hospital Classic Only Two Weeks Away National Medical Laboratory Week April 13- 19 Associated Regional and University Pathologists (ARUP), in cooperation with other laboratory organizations throughout the nation, is celebrating National Medical Laboratory Week from April 13-19. "The purpose of this celebration is to inform the public of the vital role that laboratory professionals play in health care," said Marcene Miller, ARUP Education Coordinator. " It allows us to remind the public that appropriate diagnosis and treatment of medical problems often depends on the reliability of tests performed by laboratory professionals." An open house is planned at the ARUP Research Park Facility, 390 Wakara Way, on Tuesday, April 15, from 5-8 p.m. Tours will be conducted, information on different types of tests will be available and refreshments will be served. Junior Volunteers Wanted Teenagers interested in getting hands- on experience at University Hospital as a volunteer now can sign up for an interview with Volunteer Services. The Junior Volunteer Program be-gins Monday, June 2, and continues through Friday, August 29. The volunteers may set their own hours and will be able to work in patient areas as well as administrative areas. Interviews will be held April 7-24, and orientation is on May 24. Volunteers will be required to purchase their own uniforms. If you have teenagers and/or friends, ages 14-18, who would like to participate, contact Dot Maxfield, extension 2278. Hospital departments that can use volunteers this summer also are invited to contact Ms. Maxfield as soon as possible. She will assign the volunteers from mid- April to mid-May. The 1986 University Hospital Classic, a 5K or 10K race for runners, wheelchair racers and walkers, is set for Saturday, April 19, at 9 a.m. The race begins at the main en-trance of University Hospital and follows a scenic/historic route through Research Park, with 10K-ers continuing around the " This is the Place Monument" and everyone returning to the hospital. Registration materials and T-shirts are available in University School of Medicine's Medical Illustration Services, room AC 113 and Community Relations, room 2753. Last-minute registration will begin at 7:45 a.m. on race day. The $7 entry fee ($8 the day of the race) includes a T-shirt and number. All proceeds from the annual race will aid patient services at University Hospital. Happy Anniversary, Dr. Hartigan Evelyn Hartigan, E.D., associate administrator for nursing services, had a surprise "gift" from her nursing staff on the occasion of her one-year anniversary at University Hospital. Belly dancer, Jason, entertained Dr. Hartigan and others at an unscheduled performance at the March service directors' meeting. INTERCOM University of Utah Health Sciences Center Intercom is published by the Office of Development and Community Relations, R. 2753. Article ideas and nominations for the employee of the month are welcome. Editor: Ken Johnso