Aspirus Medical Staff

In This Issue

Physician Connect Line Update

NICU Reunion Is August 16

Physician Leadership Training Dates Announced

Physician Connect Line Update

Late last fall, we queried the Medical Staff and Allied Health Practitioners for input into Physician Connect Line.  PCL is going on five (5) years old.  While the call volume has largely stabilized, the hospital's acuity has risen and Medical Staff and Allied Health Practitioners are busier than ever.  Following review and assessment of PCL, we committed to:

• Staff the line with clinical staff for most patient transfer requests to enable the collection of clinical data and to provide triage assistance to both referring and receiving providers.
• Utilize clinical staff to coordinate with various specialties and services, so that the referring and receiving providers are not tied up on the telephone making, receiving and returning calls to one another.
• Staff PCL with clinical staff over first and second shifts, after which hospital supervisors will take the third shift calls when volume is at its lightest.

Current Status: We have hired 3 of a minimum of 4 needed regular staff, all of whom are actively engaged in establishing the procedures and protocols for the new operation.  Within the next few weeks we expect to finalize a start date for the "new" Physician Connect Line, assuming our progress is effective toward securing the fourth staff member. Please feel free to forward questions and suggestions to pss@aspirus.org.

NICU Reunion Is August 16

The NICU will be celebrating the children who have been cared for since the unit opened with a picnic on Thursday, August 16 from 4 - 7 p.m. at Doepke Park in Rib Mountain. The theme for this year is "A Day at the Farm." Children and their families will enjoy:

• Light meal and snacks
• Petting zoo
• Bouncy House
• Games and Crafts
• Story Time
• Safe Kids Display
• Ambulance & Fire Truck Tours by Aspirus and Rib Mountain Fire Dept
• Aspirus Helicopter (if available)
• Pose with the tractor for great photo opp!
• Little farmer clothes are optional

Medical Staff and Allied Health Practitioners are welcome to attend! Please RSVP by August 6 to Sue MacDonald, 715-847-0057.

Reminder: Physician Leadership Training Dates Announced

Preliminary dates have been identified for the leadership development program Aspirus is offering in partnership with the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The program is available to physicians on staff at an Aspirus hospital or clinic and for senior level administrators with a VP recommendation.

Here are the preliminary program dates, which are subject to change:

• Opening session, Red Crown Lodge: Oct. 11 (evening), Oct. 12 and 13 (all day).
• Regular sessions at Jefferson Street Inn (Thursday evening and all day Friday):
  • Nov. 8 and 9, 2012
  • Dec. 6 and 7, 2012
  • Jan. 10 and 11, 2013
  • Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2013
  • Feb. 28 and March 1, 2013
  • March 21 and 22, 2013
  • April 18 and 19, 2013
  • May 9 and 10, 2013
• The final session may be held on the UW-Madison campus and will be all day June 13 and 14, 2013, with the potential for an activity on the evening of June 12.

We are exploring CME credit and formal educational recognition for participants. The program will help the 25 participants develop strong understanding of health care economics, project management and general management skills, and leadership tools and abilities. Please watch for additional information as we finalize the specifics of this tremendous opportunity.