CC News: July 1996

In This Issue

More efficient procedures goal of demo project

Doppman named
Research seminar set for nurses
Help offered in CC clean up
Drawing a winner
New decision on restored leave
Renovation complete
Contact CCC for help in patient ed
Leave the driving to someone else
Special delivery
Koop award recipient
CC staffers receive NIH Director's Awards

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More efficient procedures goal of demo project

In a memo to all CC staff last month, Dr. Gallin emphasizes that this exercise would focus on streamlining procedures that have long been of concern to staff and managers:

• Compensation (how we pay employees);
• Staffing and recruitment (how we fill positions and retain staff); and
• Employee relations (how we recognize good work and improve performance).

"Our committee must create a proposal and obtain approval from the Office of Personnel Management before we can be designated as a DEMO project," explains Tom Reed, OHRM chief and DAC coordinator.
"The key to a successful DEMO project is making sure we have a free-flow of information."

Before submitting a proposal, the DAC plans to seek staff input in a variety of ways. Both an email and website address have been set up. A DEMO project comment box will be located near the B1 cafeteria. Over the next six months, there will be town meetings and presentations to review specific aspects of the proposal. Periodic information bulletins will go to all CC staff to keep everyone up to date on the project's progress.

"Once our proposal is approved, our DEMO project will last five years," says Reed. "After that, we can apply for extensions or request that certain aspects of the project become permanent."

There are some laws and regulations that cannot be altered, Reed explains, such as those affecting leave, benefits, merit principles, EEO, or political activities.

"Finding simpler, more efficient ways to conduct our business will serve to enhance the quality of our patient care and clinical research," Dr. Gallin says. "The DEMO project is a way for all of us to achieve these goals."

Send email comments to DEMO-CC@ohrm.cc.nih.gov . (by Jan Lipkin)

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Query

Tom Lionetti, Nursing Department: "Job security and staff retention are important issues. Can we ever go back to being sure that our jobs will be around for awhile? I like where I am and what I do."

Stacy Thomas, Nutrition Department: "Training is important to me. I'd like to see it easier to obtain training. Also, performance ratings. Sometimes they seem unfair, although the process has gotten better with reinvention efforts."


Margo Aron, Social Work Department: "All those issues are important. I'd like to see continuing changes in how we recruit and hire people. This is very important in getting people with the appropriate training and skills. We need more flexibility to quickly hire experienced experts. A career ladder would make us more competitive."

Francis Waterhouse, Clinical Pathology Department: "I'd like to see emphasis on improving performance and recognizing good work. It is important for morale with reorganization of the Clinical Center. It would also be nice for the CC to give staff a chance to take more classes, to keep us involved in our own improvement so we don't become stagnant and our skills extinct."

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briefs

Doppman named

Dr. Andy Dwyer, who had been the department's acting chief for the past two years, will assume duties as acting deputy chief.

"I would like to thank Dr. Dwyer for his dedication and leadership in this role and for true 'yeoman's duty' in leading the radiology department through a time of turmoil and change," said Dr. John Gallin, CC director.

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Research seminar set for nurses

The program, sponsored by the CC Nursing Department and the National Institute of Nursing Research, is designed for nurses with doctorates or doctoral candidates interested in careers as nurse scientists. The seminar will cover NIH resources, developing a research program, grant writing, ethical issues, and disseminating research findings.

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Help offered in CC clean up

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Drawing a winner

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New decision on restored leave

The department waives for this use only its requirement that all current accrued leave be exhausted before using the restored leave, explains Warren Moyer, CC management analyst.

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Renovation complete

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Contact CCC for help in patient ed

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Leave the driving to someone else

NIH will throw in free parking for commuters from the Shady Grove or New Carrollton metro stations. For details, call 402-RIDE.

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Special delivery

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Koop award recipient

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CC staffers receive NIH Director's Awards

Romano's medal recognized her "contributions to the PHS toward improving the quality and efficiency of management and delivery of health-care services through creative use of information technology."


PHS Commendation Medals went to Cdr. Mary Andrich, Cdr. Jennifer Bayless, Lcdr. Maureen Farley, Lcdr. Maureen Gormley, Cdr. McDonald Horne, Cdr. Katherine Matrakas, and Lt. Karen Vorsteg.

Earning PHS Unit Commendations were Cdr. Sara L. Bergerson, Cdr. Denise B. Ford, Lt. Melissa A. Zafonte, Cdr. Naomi Ballard, Lcdr. Laura Chisholm, Lcdr. Florentino Merced-Galindez, Lcdr. Jeanne Odom, Lt. Kathy Dilorenzo, Lt. Linda Ludy, Lt. Michelle Manimbo, Ltjg. Rose McConnell, Lt. Susan Orsega, Ltjg. Helen Owens, Lt. Karen Vorsteg, Lt. Keysha Ross, Cdr. Maureen S. Leser, Capt. Patti A. Riggs, Ltjg. Kelly M. Stevens, Lcdr. Jean R. King, and Cdr. Nancy G. Sebring.

Clarence W. Jackson, Jr., supervisory procurement analyst, office of procurement management, NIH Office of the Director, earned a Director's Award "in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Clinical Center's small purchasing operations."

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Headaches after lumbar punctures--why?

It's important to know because "cerebrospinal fluid is like liquid gold in a research hospital because of the information it provides," points out Christopher Geyer, principal investigator for the study that looked at physical and mental factors common among patients developing headaches after the procedure. He and the research team work on 3B North, a unit for NIAAA patients.

Lumbar punctures are one of the most frequently performed procedures required in alcohol-dependency studies because they offer a way to determine how the brain's chemical neurotransmitters work. But, as many as 60 percent of patients who undergo the procedure develop headaches.

"The headaches cause significant discomfort for the patients, and can also mean longer hospital stays and delays in diagnostic and research studies while the pain is being treated," he says.

After following 212 patients between 1992 and 1995, the research team found that certain traits do relate to the headaches, including:

• Age. Younger patients were more at risk for developing the headaches.
• Body mass. Patients who had a smaller body mass were more likely to develop a headache.
• Gender. This study found that gender was not a factor in predicting who would get headaches.
• Mood and anxiety. "Patients who rated themselves as less anxious actually were shown to have the higher incidence of headaches," Geyer says.

Determining before the procedure the physical and psychological aspects that seem to be common in patients who develop the headaches allows the health-care team to begin assessment and treatment early, which could minimize chances of getting headaches in some patients and perhaps stemming them altogether in others.

"In explaining the procedure to patients, we unwittingly set them up to anticipate headaches," Geyer says.

One traditional theory of why so many patients develop the headaches has been the "leakage theory," he adds.

That's when the cerebrospinal fluid continues to leak from the needle puncture. The leakage causes the brain to shift down slightly and that leads to the pain.

A common treatment for the headache has been to stop the leak with an epidural blood patch. "A small amount of the patient's blood is inserted into the puncture point in the spine, which then clots and, in theory, stops the leakage."

Bed rest following the lumbar puncture has been a standard of care designed to prevent the headaches.

"But, all bed rest seems to accomplish is to postpone the headache," Geyer notes.

The next phase of the study will examine the role of patient mood, bed rest, and the interaction of certain brain chemicals. "Low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin are associated with alcohol dependency because it plays a role in impulse control and craving," he says. "Low levels of serotonin may alter levels of substance P, a neuropeptide found in plasma and spinal fluid that relates to sensitivity to pain.

Determining how these chemical factors relate to developing the headaches could lead to a simple blood test to identify who is at risk.

Working with Geyer on the project were CC nurses Nancy Harnett, Susan Squires, Ruth Auslander, Ann Turk, Barbara Bowens, Marie Vangeyten, Mary Anne Hannaman, and Beth Price, along with Dr. David T. George, NIAAA.

Geyer, who received Nursing Department's research award in ceremonies last month, has presented the study's findings at local, national, and international nursing conferences. (by Sara Byars)

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Lumbar puncture--What is it?

The lumbar puncture is an important diagnostic test, allowing physicians to check for infections and measure levels of glucose, protein, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Some patients develop severe headaches after undergoing the procedure.

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Nursing staffer recalls CC milestones and landmarks

"Way back when, workers were closely supervised. Now, there's more independence. I've appreciated that."

A landmark from way back when is a casualty of progress she'd like to see returned. "The pools out front. Some patients believed that the water healed them. When the pools are back, this will truly feel like the Clinical Center again."

A Charleston, S.C., native, Blake came to Washington for a visit and never left.

Landing a job at the Clinical Center, she worked briefly in food service and then spent 18 years as a nursing assistant on the psychiatric nursing service. Moving to the administrative arena, Blake worked as a time keeper, computer assistant, and administrative assistant before assuming her position as AO.

"I have always looked for ways to move up. I went back to school. I got an A.A. degree and just kept going. I ended up with a B.S. in business administration."

Credit son John-who earned a degree in computer science-for that. "I knew I wanted him to go to college and told him he was going if I had to sit there and hold his hand," she recalls, laughing.

Blake plans to devote some of her retirement time to continue a much-loved hobby, traveling.
"I've been to Hawaii, Mexico, and the Bahamas. In November, I'll go to Australia. That's my big trip."

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Change is the constant in 40-year career

Browne walked the Clinical Center's tangle of hallways for nearly 40 years before retiring, gathering friends with each step.

"I've seen all the changes," says Browne, an audiovisual specialist in the Nursing Department since the early 1970s. "The building is nice and bright today. It used to be hospital green throughout."

But there's one bottom line he says has never wavered. "Patient care has always been good here. And so have our supervisors."

Browne, a Washington native and Navy veteran, first came to the Clinical Center in 1957 to work in the operating room. Moving to Nursing Department's education and training section 16 years later, the gregarious Browne found a niche that suited him well. "There's no AV equipment I can't operate," he says, laughing. "Staff members always called on me to help."

And help has been a two-way street. "I truly thank the staff members who helped me when I've had health problems. Members of the Nursing Department feel like part of my family."

Department members hosted a retirement party for Browne that highlighted his affection for the Redskins. "I've been a football fan since I was six years old." Co-workers' gifts included scads of Redskins memorabilia, a letter from the team coach, an autographed football, and photographs of team members.

"I'm not gonna do anything," may be what Browne claims as his retirement plans, but don't count on it. There're grandchildren to visit. And, he hopes to do volunteer work here. "I always enjoyed my work at the Clinical Center. Helping others."

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Security issues on the forefront of NIH concerns

That tragedy prompted a presidential mandate that all federal agencies scrutinize their security measures to assure compliance with the Justice Department's new government-wide standards.

At NIH, the Office of Research Services, Division of Public Safety, performed that review. Their primary recommendations are:

• Require employees and contractors to obtain and wear identification badges while in NIH facilities.
• Ensure that ID badges, card keys, metal keys, and parking permits are returned when an employee leaves NIH employment.
• Secure moveable, theft-prone equipment such as computers with cables or other devices.
• Establish building security advisory committees, which would include building occupants, to review specific security needs and make recommendations.

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Last modified 7/16/96

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