Notes from past meetings:

November 8 - 10, 2007 - AMA Resident Fellow Section Interim meeting

  The major issues from this meeting were:

1. Keeping the "Economic Hardship Loan Repayment Deferrement" available.  Read more about it from the AMA-RFS site.
2. Have the AMA work with the ACGME to study /investigate the prevalence of programs around the country that are abusing "Home Call" to get around the 80-hr work week.

3. Implement efforts to prevent the loss of status following maternity leave during residency training.

September 26, 2007 

I.  House Staff Association Website

A.  The website is nearly complete and we need information from you.  Anything you wish to provide is welcome - especially frequently used journal titles, clinic information for setting up patient appointments, and call schedule info.B.  We hope to have the test page ready for the chief residents to review in early October.  Please take a few minutes to review the info for your program and look at the sections on the webpage.  We are happy to take your suggestions for improvement.C.  We hope to generate a membership for the HSA.  This can be a chief resident down to new interns.  We want to have a united voice among the house staff in order to make changes for the better in our institution.  The GME office staff reminded us that a united front is more likely to affect change with the administration.

 II.   Improving Communication among Residency Programs

A.  Use of the webpage for announcementsB.  Regularly scheduled meetings of the chief residents to discuss issues and concerns as well as potential solutions to problems that all of us face at U.H. and in our respective programs.C.  Development of the House Staff Association - Our vision is to have members from each program as a voice of the house staff.

 III.   Security Concerns

A.  ID cards seem to be working for all residents. Anyone having a problem should let me (Stacey Holman) know.  Your ID cards should work at all doors that enter to patient care areas as well as to the ER and to call room areas.B.  A question was brought up about ID card access to the psych area in the ER.  There is also no handle on this door.  This is being discussed.C.  The issue of an entrance on the Gravier Street side of UH is still a problem.  As of now, you must enter at the Perdido doors or go through the ER.  We are looking into a possible solution near the call rooms and are working with administration to come up with a solution.D.  A suggestion was made to place call phones along the street for use at night and in case of an emergency.E.  Another concern was voiced that there are problems entering the garage by car - problems with the gates working.  Also, there is a problem entering through the Bolivar walking entrance.  (Both of these issues have been voiced to the administration and we are awaiting response).

 IV.   Follow-up of Old Business

A.  We are still seeing a problem with food availability after 5pm.  This will be readdressed with the facility services people.B.  A reminder to all residents was made - Please get an electronic signature and keep up with medical records.

 V.   Graduate Medical Education Announcements

A.  The LSU Medical School Residency Fair is October 17, Wednesday, from 11-2.  It will be held on the 7th floor of the Lions’ Clinic Building at 2020 Gravier Street.  The residency B.  The Center for Advanced Practice is planning for an opening date of January 2008.  This will include the areas of the old Learning Center as well many new simulator experiences and virtual operating rooms for physician training.  The center will encompass the 5th and 6th floors of the Lions Clinic Building.C.  A patient safety handout was given to chief residents.  This area is becoming very important and will be a part of our ACGME site visit in the spring of 2008.D.  All residency programs are encouraged to review their program requirements via the ACGME website.  E.  The Greater New Orleans Medical Foundation scholarships were due October 1.F.  Please remind all residents in your programs to begin working on the Core Curriculum Modules that are listed on Residency Partner.  These are ALL required for residents prior to graduation.

 VI.   New Business

A.  Adult Psychiatry raised a concern that there may be a problem with night call coverage in the near future for their program. This would have an impact on treatment for acute psych issues in the ER as well.  They are asking for the ability to have internal moonlighting call at University.  This will be voiced to the GME office and the chief resident was encouraged to review this with his program director as well.B.  A concern was raised about needing faculty to observe ALL procedures as is currently needed at Touro.  This could become a problem for facilities such as University when staff may not be available immediately.  We are also advised to review the ACGME guidelines available online.

 VII.   Open Issues

A.  HSA:  You will receive an email with the link to the HSA website.  Please review and let Mike and I know if you want anything else added or changed.B.  We are actively working on security concerns and will keep all of you posted on plans for an entrance to UH as well as problems with the garage.C.  The lack of food at night will be readdressed.D.  The LSU residency fair will be on October 17 - please attend to recruit our local med students!!E.  Do the Core Curriculum modules online!F.  Psych Coverage:  Follow-up with GME and the program director to get more info on possible solutions.

 VIII.   Next Meeting - December/January  

Thanks for attending the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey L. Holman, MD
House Staff Association

Program Attendance:
ERFamily Med - Kenner
EM/IM
Med/Peds
Neurology
OBGYN
Ophtho
Orthopedics
ENT
Pathology
PM&R
Adult Psych
Child Psych
Cardiology
Peds 
Neurology