News Briefs

Jefferson's Clinical Lab Accredited by College of American Pathologists
Annual Safety Fest Set for Thursday, October 9
Join Lupus Loop 5-mile Run or 2.5 mile Walk Sunday, October 26
Nominate a S.T.A.R. employee or S.T.A.R. Team

JEFFERSON'S CLINICAL LAB ACCREDITED BY COLLEGE OF AMERICAN PATHOLOGISTS

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Clinical Laboratory, at both the Center City and Ford Road Campuses, was awarded a two-year accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP). The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program is based on the results of a recent on-site inspection that is recognized by federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government's own inspection program.

During the inspection, CAP examined the records and quality control of the laboratory for the preceding two years, as well as education and qualifications of the total staff, the adequacy of the facilities, the equipment, laboratory safety and laboratory management to determine how well the laboratory is serving the patient. CAP congratulated Jefferson's Clinical Laboratory for the "excellence of services being provided" in addition to granting the lab accreditation.

ANNUAL SAFETY FEST SET FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9

Departments still have time to sponsor a table at Jefferson's Annual Safety Fest, set for Thursday, October 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Scott Plaza as the highlight of an expanded Safety Recognition Week.

"We want to use the entire week of October 6 to 10 as a way of highlighting Jefferson's safety and security program as well as thanking so many people on campus for their year-round efforts," says Martha A. Anderson, Assistant Vice President for Safety and Security.

An open house is planned for the Security Department's new headquarters, response center and roll call room in the basement of the Curtis Building.

"We are planning this event as an employee appreciation day for Security as well as to invite Jefferson employees and students to see our new facility and equipment and get an idea of what's going on in campus security," says Ms. Anderson.

Recognition events are planned during the week to thank Jefferson Safety Committee members and employee floor captains, safety observers and trainers.

As usual, the Safety Fest will be held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week, but departments are free to sponsor a table relating to any safety theme.

The event's success is always due to the presentations showing departments' activities to assure a safe work place, stresses Ms. Anderson.

The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics will sell lunch at the event.

To participate, call Bob Shewbrooks, 3-7153.

JOIN LUPUS LOOP 5-MILE RUN OR 2.5-MILE WALK SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26

Jefferson employees are urged to join their colleagues and take part in the 6th annual "Lupus Loop Run/Walk" set for Sunday, October 26, in West Fairmount Park. The event will benefit research efforts in the Philadelphia area.

Staff members of the Division of Rheumatology, Jefferson Medical College (JMC), are busy putting together "walk teams." Raphael J. DeHoratius, MD, Professor of Medicine and Associate Director, Division of Rheumatology, JMC, and Director of Jefferson's Lupus Study Center, will discuss lupus as featured guest on the "HealthWise" radio show Sunday, October 19, with host Mart..in Weisberg, MD, Clinical Associate Professsor of Obsterics and Gynecology, JMC. "HealthWise" airs every Sunday at 8:30 a.m on radio station WPEN,
950 AM.

Employees can sign up to run 5 miles, or walk 2.5 miles, or to be a member of a team sharing the distance. (Walking 2.5 miles is roughly from the Jefferson campus to Front St. and back.)

To sign up or for more information, contact Dee Weisberg, President of the Lupus Foundation of Philadelphia Inc., at the Ford Road campus, 877-9061 or Darlene Croce, Pediatrics, at 5-5862.

NOMINATE A S.T.A.R. EMPLOYEE OR S.T.A.R. TEAM

S.T.A.R. Employees and S.T.A.R. Teams represent staff who deserve recognition for their patient satisfaction efforts. They are the focus of the S.T.A.R. Program. The S.T.A.R. Program welcomes recommendations from Jeffersonians of staff members who deserve this honor. Equally important are the Jeffersonians who identify and nominate these stellar individuals for this honor.

To assist you in nominating a S.T.A.R., here are the criteria and a brief explanation of how the nomination process works:

• S.T.A.R Employee­All patient-contact employees who consistently exhibit the S.T.A.R qualities of Sensitivity, Teamwork, Awareness and Respect are eligible for recognition, once their immediate supervisor has confirmed the employee's nomination. S.T.A.R. Employees receive two AMC movie passes, a gift bag, and an invitation to the annual S.T.A.R. Celebration.
  
  
• S.T.A.R. Team­Teams of three to seven employees who are nominated by a supervisor/manager are eligible for recognition. Teams can be composed of employees from the same department or a variety of departments. S.T.A.R. Team members have breakfast or lunch with Thomas J. Lewis, CEO of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, receive a specially designed sweatshirt and an invitation to the annual S.T.A.R. Celebration.

To nominate a S.T.A.R. Employee or S.T.A.R. Team, please call Kathleen Goodman, Director, Services Marketing, at 5-8976.