Centerviews
A Publication of The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center

Monday, May 24, 2004

In This Issue :

Basketball Tournament A Success
Save The Date - President's Forum
Social Services Adds Program For Dually Diagnosed
Electronic Medical Record Saves Time
Live Webcasts Provide Education, Insight
UTHCPC Website Being Updated - Input Needed

Basketball Tournament A Success
UTHCPC's first Three-On-Three Basketball tournament was a success reports Physical Fitness Committee chair Dwayne Tennison. The Regulators won the six-team tournament, with team members Broderick Bosley, Marion Ray and Derrick Rogers. Second-place winners were The Network, comprised of Vinny Tran, John Averill and Richard Montanye. Special thanks to referees Nina Fields and Demetrius Harper; official scorekeeper Patricia Averill; team photographer Dorothy Harris and head cheerleader Susan Grice.

Save The Date - President's Forum
James T. Willerson, M.D., president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, will bring news of interest concerning the health science center to UTHCPC faculty, students and staff on Monday, August 2, at 11:30 am. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation.

Social Services Adds Program For Dually Diagnosed
The Social Service Department has added additional services for the Dually Diagnosed (mental illness and substance abuse/dependence) patients. Approximately 70% of the patients that are treated at UTHCPC have these co-occurring diagnoses. Groups for adolescents are offered Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 p.m. Groups for adults are offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. These groups are facilitated by Alcoholics Anonymous and monitored by Master Level Clinicians. Special thanks to Susan Chambers, LPC, Michael Bergum,LMSW, and Greg Dixon, LMSW, who assist in coordination and monitoring these meetings. The AA meetings were implemented to augment the daily Dual Diagnosis Group and offer support for the patient upon discharge. The attendance has been increasing and the patients have expressed that the meetings are very helpful in their management of the two diseases.

Electronic Medical Record Saves Time
A recent survey conducted by Management Information Services (MIS) shows that the majority of UTHCPC users are saving time using the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Jennifer McNamara, Sunrise Clinical Manager, reports that 85% of those responding to the recent survey say the EMR saves them time. Other comments about the system are that "it makes the record more legible": "it has made staff more accountable for their own charting"; "med orders are processed faster" and "many people can access the information at the same time, saving time for all staff members". "The system is still not perfect," said McNamara. We are still resolving issues identified by staff, and hope to have most resolved during the summer.

Live Webcasts Provide Education, Insight
The first live interactive web cast was carried out last week as part of UTHCPC's participation in the Area Agency on Aging grant that involves health promotion for caregivers of senior citizens and grandparents taking care of grandchildren. The first presentation concerned stress reduction for caregivers, said Gary Conwell. Future broadcasts will include topics will include a variety of issues. Conwell reports that on-line CEUs will eventually be added for clinical staff. In addition to live broadcasts, the program utilizes the UTHCPC website home page, http://hcpc.uth.tmc.edu, designed by Ruby Houston, to access information about the program. Contact Lois Carter, ext. 3879, to be placed on a list for information about upcoming live web casts.

UTHCPC Website Being Updated - Input Needed
The UTHCPC website, http://hcpc.uth.tmc.edu, is being updated. Please send any corrections, changes, or suggestions to Geri Konigsberg at ext 7876 or by email.