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This file is provided for reference purposes only. It was current when it was produced, but it is no longer maintained and may now be out of date. Persons with disabilities having difficulty accessing information may contact us for assistance. For reliable, current information on this and other health topics, we recommend consulting the NIH Clinical Center at http://www.cc.nih.gov/.

past issues

 Published monthly for CC employees by Clinical Center Communications

April 1998


First ethics rounds focus on DNR issues

The breast cancer quilt and its art

people

Working better by gaining control

Turning the tables

Volunteer spotlight

News briefs

 

 

Down, but not out

Tree number 154 may be down, but it won't soon be forgotten.


Tree's destiny an historic one

The 200-year-old oak tree removed from the future site of the Clinical Research Center was destined to make history.

The 80-foot tree, known to many as number 154, based on a system to track the trees along the perimeter of the construction site, was one of more than 250 to be either permanently removed or relocated on campus. Saving the trees threatened the construction of the research facility addition after several community sources protested their removal. NIH and the National Capital Planning Commission determined that major alterations to the construction plans would not be feasible. Instead, NIH made several modifications to the perimeter of the site.

"Through a regrading process, where the edges of the proposed construction area were carefully reviewed and revised, at least 60 percent of the trees along the edge of the construction area that were set to be removed were spared," said Yong-Duk Chyun, project director, NIH Division of Engineering Services.

Although tree number 154 was not one of those saved, the 14-ton trunk of the giant was donated to the U.S. Navy for restoration of the U.S.S. Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship, dating back to 1797.

"Old Ironsides," as the ship is known, set sail last year for the first time in 116 years. Docked in Massachusetts Bay, it serves as a national monument.

In spite of the controversy involving the removal of tree 154, another portion of it will go down in history. After the tree was felled, a slice was sent for preservation and will become a permanent exhibit detailing NIH historical milestones.

A younger oak tree also removed was donated to Pierce Mill in Rock Creek Park to renovate its mill waterwheel shaft and blades. (by LaTonya Kittles)  index


 

First ethics rounds focus on DNR issues

A patient signs an order requesting not to be resuscitated should a crisis arise during a surgical procedure. While in surgery, the patient is inadvertently given too much morphine. Another patient signs a similar order, and during that surgery has an allergic reaction, leading to cardiorespiratory arrest.

Should the doctors ignore the DNR (do not resuscitate) order and administer life-saving procedures when easily reversed errors occur? Or should such an act be viewed as an infringement on the patient's right to self determination?

Scenarios such as these were addressed last month during the first ever CC Ethics Grand Rounds, "DNR in the OR."

Dr. Robert Wittes, NCI, moderated the session. Dr. Richard Alexander, NCI, presented a case study, and Dr. Bob Truog, M.D., Children's Hospital in Boston, was the guest discussant.

According to Dr. Truog, DNR orders have evolved significantly in the past several decades, encompassing areas in the hospital other than wards and intensive care units. As a result, said Dr. Truog, the American College of Surgeons, among others, has said that DNR in the operating room is acceptable. He stressed the need for a shift toward discussions of patients' personal goals and needs rather than a checklist-type procedure where patients decide the specific circumstances under which they want to be resuscitated.

"Negotiating around goals and values is much more likely to work than negotiating around procedures," said Dr. Truog. Since some DNR requests, according to Dr. Truog, are a result of patients' concerns that they might leave the operating room in a worse condition than when they arrived, he emphasized the need for doctors to understand the issues surrounding a patient's DNR wishes. He encouraged more dialogue among the medical team, including the anesthesiologist, the surgeons, and their patients, to help establish what is in the patients' best interest.

Participants also discussed several issues that the medical team must address when faced with a DNR request, such as: Why would someone going into surgery sign a DNR order? What was their emotional status at the time of their decision? Did they fully understand the implications of their decision for surgery? Could an alternative, less-risky medical procedure be conducted?

During the session, attendees agreed that there should be a group approach to the request process, including the medical team, the patient, and their family.

On May 6th the next Ethics Grand Rounds will address the issue of informed consent for research with cognitively impaired persons. The guest discussant will be Paul Applebaum, M.D., with the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. (by LaTonya Kittles)  index


 Breast Cancer Quilt to be displayed at the Clinical Center

The first annual National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Quilt will be on display in the Clinical Center next month.

The quilt, consisting of 25 individual twelve-inch square patches, will include artwork and prose developed by women dealing with breast cancer.

"We see the quilt as a tribute, and one way to say thank you to the women who have dedicated themselves to clinical trials participation," said Debra Snyder Kulp, NCI breast cancer social worker. "Creativity is an incredible way to encourage expression of feeling and thought and allow for healing and growth. Each woman has an important story to tell about life, living, fear, love and God. We as the viewer must pay attention to the wisdom which presents itself here."

Viewed by many as a therapeutic approach to coming to terms with a debilitating disease, art therapy has also helped many of these patients see that they are not alone. "The quilt represents all women who struggle with cancer," said CC patient Beverly Barnett. "My story is an important part of the bigger picture and our collective experiences make the disease less abstract."

Diagnosed in 1991, Barnett became a CC patient five years later, after treatments including a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation proved fruitless. According to Barnett, designing a piece for the quilt in itself was helpful. "We often express our thoughts with words," said Barnett. "But symbols and imagery include our emotions and take on personal meaning."

The NCI patient-made quilt, sponsored by the NCI Breast Cancer Think Tank, will be on display in the lobby adjacent to the special events office on the first floor, May 6-May 13.

Also on display in the same area will be The Art for Recovery Breast Cancer Quilts Project, developed by Cindy Perlis and Ernest Rosenbaum, M.D., at UCSF/Mount Zion Health Systems, Inc. The display, consisting of ten quilts made by women living with breast cancer or by their family survivors, will be featured April 29-May 13.


 Some of the quilt's art and thoughts:

 

 


On her attitude: "I did my best to show courage during the battle and maintained an upbeat attitude. I did my level best to fight the cancer and show that it was not going to get the best of me. Hugs have a great healing effect. They are a wonderful morale booster. My treatment left me some after effects that make me move a lot slower now but I embrace life and each day is precious."

--Janet Michel

 

 


 Symbols: The first mountain--a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation in 1991. A green valley--health for 4 1/2 years. A more difficult mountain--a recurrence in 1996. Dark storm clouds over each mountain--coming to terms with disfigurement, loss of hair, and facing mortality. Black clouds--complications I experienced following my stem cell transplant. Silver lined clouds--strength from the challenges of my journey. Heart border-support and love from family, friends, and my medical team. Shadows--fears of recurrence, anxiety about the future. Sunshine--my hopes for a bright future. Dove--God's presence with me each step of the way.

"I am clearer about who I am and what is and what is not important to me. I am more open with giving and receiving love. I live more in the present, aware most days of the gift today is."

--Beverly Barnett

 

 


 On her journey: "Al final del camino hay muchas flores, arboles y un sol brillante representando la recuperacion, la alegria, el deseo de vivir una nueva vida dandole gracias a Dios bajo un claro y hermoso cielo."

--Smia Garcia


On her mother's gift to her

 

Her loving actions stay with me, burn my eyes when I remember

Yet her words of love came only right before her death.

Did she give me this cancer gene?

This predisposition of cancer in my breast?

Her cancer is not my cancer. She gave me courage.

I intend to use it.

Judy Mayeux, daughter

Jeanne Coppock, mother

 index

People:

Dutton ponders slogan win

"Caring Hands are Clean Hands." That's the slogan that won hospital epidemiology's recent handwashing slogan contest. Burney "Lester" Dutton, materials management supply technician, said that the slogan just popped into his head. "Since this is a hospital setting, germs are always being spread," he said. "If we wash our hands we can better care for others. It's something that we can't voice enough in this setting."


Home again

In the audience for last month's bioethics grand rounds were Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson, NIH director from 1975-1981; Dr. John L. Decker, CC director from 1983-1990; and Dr. Saul Rosen, acting CC director from 1990-1994.


 

Cartledge named

Tannia Cartledge was recently named permanent chief for nursing's adult and pediatric patient care services. Cartledge had served as acting chief for the past year, and past CC posts included staff nurse and nurse manager. She will lead more than 200 nurses to find more efficient operations

 

Kovacs elected

Joseph Kovacs, head of critical care medicine's AIDS section, was recently elected to the Association of American Physicians (AAP). Kovacs was chosen on his merits in the field of HIV research, specifically the management and prevention of the disease. He is one of the world's leaders in explaining the biology of Pneumocystis carinii, and is adept in translating laboratory insights into practical clinical advances. Through research studies, Kovacs helped to define the taxonomy, epidemiology, and immunology of the pneumocystis organism. His research in the field has been published in numerous journals.

The AAP includes over 1,500 medical professionals. Dr. Henry Masur and Dr. Jim Shelhamer of critical care medicine are also members.

Specialist receives resources honor

Jane Thurber, CC personnel management specialist, recently received an NIH Human Resources Management Award. Thurber was one of among several NIH recipients. She was recognized for her initiative, responsiveness, leadership, and commitment to excellence demonstrated by her work with CC managers. She received the award during a ceremony on March 4 in Natcher.

Fogarty fellow awarded

Weihan Wang, NIH Fogarty Fellow in the Critical Care Medicine Department, won the Henry Christian award from the American Federation of Medical Research. The award, handed out yearly, recognized Wang for the most meritorious abstract in immunology.

County recognizes CC volunteer director

Andrea Rander, director of volunteer and language interpreter services, will be recognized with a certificate from the Montgomery County Executive for her role in the "Diversity in Volunteerism Task Force." The ceremony, sponsored by the Board of Partnership, will be held on April 23 at the Pooks Hill Marriott in Bethesda.

 

 index


 

To gain control, take time to learn how to do it

My day is out of control. What now?

Ever had one of those days where you're trying to handle a ton of things all at once? You're on the highway with portable phone in hand, writing notes to yourself. You get to work only to discover that the parking lot is full, so you drive around some more. And now you find a space.

To avoid being late for work, you run into your office, open the door and discover that two people are holding for you on the phone. One call is from your daughter's school (let your imagination wander here) and the other is from your fellow NIH staff member who needs a report from you in 10 minutes. When you've completed these phone conversations, you turn on your computer, only to discover that there are already twenty e-mail messages for you. You say to yourself, "My day is already out of control. What now?"

If you can relate to this or a similar start to your day, you may find the following five tips useful:

Examine your priorities. Look at what you have to do and begin to focus on those 5-7 things that absolutely must get done. It's far better, in my estimation, for you to go through this process of "listing your priorities" versus "prioritizing" your already overextended list of things to do. And don't be afraid to ask someone for help. It's amazing how people will come to your rescue when you simply acknowledge that you need a little help to get back on track.

Slow down. If you're like me, you tend to work too quickly, trying to take everything that's throwing your life out of whack and KILL IT! I've learned that life doesn't work that way. You'll get a lot more done if you simply slow down and focus on one thing at a time.

Carve out some quiet time. By nature, I'm not much into this "quiet time, reflection stuff." Quite frankly, I'd rather work a sixteen hour day, non-stop. However, there is immense documented value to clearing one's mind at some point during the day, in order to stay calm and centered in the midst of the day's highs and lows. Even taking a short 10-minute walk during lunch hour can help reduce your anxiety and help focus your attention on the important things that need to be done.

Don't neglect your body. What you eat can play a huge role in having the appropriate energy level and stamina needed to get through the day. In particular, make sure that you're getting 8-12 glasses of water during the day. Remember, bringing equilibrium to your day involves taking care of both your mental and physical needs.

Don't sweat the small stuff .In fact, I recommend you pick up a copy of the book, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, by Richard Carlson. You'll discover that all the ripping and racing, and griping that you did in regards to your day being out of control, was tiny in comparison to the greatest gift you received today....that being the gift of life.

(Michael Scott, president of Empowerment Unlimited, Inc. Scott was a speaker for a work/life presentation held at the Clinical Center this past December. Scott's articles on improving your work life will be featured in upcoming issues of the CC News. To suggest a story idea, call us at 6-2563.)  index


Turning the Tables

During Children and Healthcare Week last month, young patients switched roles with medical professionals in the Children's Medical Play Clinic held on 11 East. (Above left) Dr. John, aka John Beasley, gets ready to treat. (Above right) John Harrington, Beasley, and Katie Leatherwood were decked out in medical gear. (Above center) Ann Peterson, 11 West clinical specialist, pretends to have her blood drawn by Harrington.  index



Workers who volunteer help ease patients' worries

 

Ina Ifrim, an NHLBI biologist who works at the CC, uses her language skills to help patients feel more at home.

 

 After spending much of the morning viewing cells that cause cholesterol-blockages in the arteries, Ina Ifrim, NHLBI biologist, takes a break. However, she doesn't head for the B1 cafeteria or the lounge. Instead, she makes a bee-line to the admissions desk, as she has done for the past five years, to meet her "friends for a few."

Ifrim is one of more than 65 employees who volunteer to translate for patients who come to the Clinical Center for protocols. Although Ifrim's languages of choice are Spanish and French, the group combined also translates Urdu, Norwegian, Arabic, Mandarin, Hebrew, Japanese, and Russian, among others.

Born in Romania and raised in other countries around the world, Ifrim empathizes with the feelings of patients who speak no English. "They must feel completely lost and out of their culture," she said. "I've been through it too, and it's hard. It gives me satisfaction to help them feel more at home."

While assisting patients, volunteers help them through the admissions process, meet with them and their medical staff to assure that they understand the procedures, and discuss the pros and cons of the pending treatment. They are also required to attend training sessions that hone core competencies and set boundaries and standards.

Many departments are grateful for the service, which they see as an integral part of patient care. Although the program requests advanced notice from departments needing the service, employee volunteers are sometimes called at the last minute, requiring the assistance of others to cover job duties.

"These volunteers and their supervisors should be applauded for their role in providing these services to the patients," said Andrea Rander, director of volunteer and language interpreter services.

"The interpreters are an important part of the CC volunteer program, said Rander. "Their interpreting skills, as well as their familiarity with NIH procedures, help staff better assist patients, and also help family members adjust to an unfamiliar environment."

Volunteers will be honored at an awards ceremony on April 21 at 11:30 a.m. in Lipsett Amphitheater. National Volunteer Week will be observed from April 19-25.CC family among dedicated cadre.

Editor's note: The Clinical Center is well represented in the list of NIH employees who volunteer their time and services to help patients. They include: Kim Bui, CC Pharmacy ;Yung Chan, CC Clinical Pathology ;Marie Charles, CC Social Work ;Quyen Chau, CC Pharmacy ;Irene Chu, CC Clinical Pathology ; Hae Cin Chun, CC Transfusion Medicine; Vickie Chung, CC Clinical Pathology; Anna Ferreira, CC Nursing; Simone Guerami, CC Surgery; Nadia Guirgus, CC Pharmacy; Mohammed Hussein, CC Pharmacy; Chau-Ha Huynh, CC Transfusion Medicine; Tina Levin, CC Social Work; Laura Musse, CC Nursing; Alice Pau, CC Pharmacy; Chung-He Row, CC Clinical Pathology; De Tan, CC Transfusion Medicine; Chi Vu, CC Clinical Pathology; Judith Williams, CC Social Work; and Jeannie Wu, CC Pharmacy.  index

 


News briefs:

Recognition program for volunteers set

CC volunteers will be recognized for their contributions during a ceremony set for April 21 at 11:30 a.m. in Lipsett Amphitheater. The event will include a luncheon, awards, and entertainment.

Nursing ceremony planned

The CC nursing department will hold its annual meeting and awards ceremony on May 5 at 1:30 p.m. in Lipsett Amphitheater. This year's event will include a poster session on nursing research topics. The session will be held from 1-1:30 and 3-3:30 outside Lipsett.

Possible retirement system error

Any employee who was automatically placed into FERS. If you completed 5 years of creditable civilian service as of December 31, 1986, and feel that you may have been placed in the wrong retirement system, contact personnel at 6-6924.

Circus success

Attendees for NIH Night at the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus held at the MCI Center on March 24 topped well over 10,000. More than 150 CC patients reveled in the fun of clowns, and entertainment. The event raised funds for NIH Charities, including the Friends of the Clinical Center, and the Children's Inn.

 index


 Editor: LaTonya Kittles


Clinical Center News, 6100 Executive Blvd., Suite 3C01, MSC 7511, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7511. (301) 496-2563. Fax: 402-2984. Published monthly for CC employees by the Office of Clinical Center Communications, Colleen Henrichsen, chief. News, articles ideas, calendar events, letters, and photographs are welcome. Deadline for submission is the second Monday of each month.

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