—

July 2004
“T" Clinical Center

News
In this issue:
• CRIS goes live July 31
• Blood donations critically needed
• New pneumatic carrier systems for the CRC

CRC Town Hall: move to be storm followed by calm

he move Mark O. A special

T
to the
Hatfield Clinical Research entry from Cedar

Center (CRC) will be a Lane will allow

“perfect storm” followed by a patients and

“fabulous calm,” predicted Clinical visitors to

Center Director John I. Gallin on approach the

June 1 7, at the first of a series of hospital’s main
town meetings to discuss what to entrance from
expect during the move to the new the north. From
hospital. there, they can
The Clinical Center that opened its cross Center

doors in 1953 was a distinctly Drive to the

vertical building, rising 14 stories and newly expanded
dominating a tree-covered campus. Children’s Inn or
The new hospital has a more walk west a

horizontal, low-rise orientation, short distance to

designed to keep clinical and lab the new Edmund

functions on the same floor yet have J. Safra Family
The CRC entrance and the landscaping are nearly complete.
only a modest visual impact on the Lodge. Those
campus skyline and surrounding two guest
community. houses, providing housing and As a physical structure. Building
support for families with patients 10 contains the Magnuson building,
r —— — —
undergoing treatment at the Clinical the Hatfield building, and the ACRF.
j
Mark your calendars for Center, will be visible from a As an organization, it is all the NIH
i future CRC town meetings i playground outside the pediatric units Clinical Center, serving the patient
1
in the Lipsett 1
on the first floor. care and clinical research needs of
Amphitheater: The new hospital, coupled to the the NIH’s intramural research
Clinical Center complex at the program.
! July 13, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. northern edge of the Ambulatory One benefit of the building’s long,

Sept. 14, 11 a.m. to noon Care Research Facility, significantly low silhouette is that even the labs
i i

1
Oct. 7, noon to 1 p.m. 1 increases the building’s architectural more open, spacious and
Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. footprint. The entire Clinical Center comfortable — will have plenty of
complex now covers roughly 40 storage room and natural light. One
i Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. i

acres, Gallin estimates, adding that it challenge of the long corridors will
may be the second largest complex be delivering “on demand” food to
No town meeting is
the U.S. government has built patients while it is hot. Tugger trucks
scheduled for August. (second only to the Pentagon). It

competes for that distinction with the Continued on page 2

Reagan Building downtown.
 Center
Clinical
years — so hurry,” wrote Senator July 31 (story on page 4). Staff are
Hatfield, the long-time NIH training for it.

Town Meeting supporter for whom the CRC is Additional town meetings
named, in a recent letter scheduled through December (see
Continued from page one
congratulating Dr. Gallin on the box, page 1 ). One can ask questions
will pull food along a huge corridor hospital design.) Target date for during the meeting or send them in

in the basement. moving patients: December 4. advance to Sara Byars, senior

At the heart of the building a Among milestones scheduled for communications advisor, by e-mail:
spacious seven-story atrium, the the period of transition, one of the crc-mfo@cc.nih.gov.
Science Court (see CRC insert this most complex will be the changeover The town meetings will be
issue), serves as a central gathering from MIS, the Medical Information videocast live and archived for later
area, connecting patient care units System to CRIS, the NIH’s powerful viewing. Go to

running east to west. Patient wings new Clinical Research Information http://videocast.nih.gov.
are separated by two large, internal System. The culmination of a $60- To learn more about the CRC, go
courtyards extending from the million effort, CRIS will go live on to www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/crc/.
Science Court. —Pat McNees
Built to accommodate 242
inpatient beds and 80 day hospital
stations, the hospital has patient
Rander honored by volunteer interpreters
rooms enough to hold more
large For 14 years, Andrea Rander, director of Volunteer Services, has
patients should the need arise and — worked with the Clinical Center’s volunteer language interpreters. Filling a
the flexibility to change quickly. valuable need, these volunteers
Patient care units (PCUs) on floors 1, give patients hours of help with
3, 5, and 7 alternate with interstitial communication in times of need.
space (accommodating air ducts and On any given week, volunteers
other infrastructure) on floors 2, 4 provide at least 200 hours of
and 6. This unusual arrangement will interpreting services to Clinical
permit rapid changes in the use of Center patients and their families.
patient rooms, including the ability to Rander is a crucial link in this
quickly isolate infection and deal process. She not only triages
with other hazards, with minimum interpreting needs to the
disturbance of patients. volunteers, she but also orients
On opening, the hospital will them to their important work and
contain 25 rooms with negative is always available to listen, coach L-R: Aggie Bums, Greek interpreter;
airflow (preventing air from exiting) and problem solve. Adrienne Farrar, Chief, Social Work
for infectious patients; and 30 rooms On May 14, the volunteer Department; Roberto Anson, Spanish
with positive airflow (blowing air interpreters wanted to show their interpreter; Andrea Rander, Director of

out), to protect immune-suppressed Volunteer Services; Monica Sullivan,

appreciation for her assistance, so
Spanish interpreter.
patients. on May 14 they had a surprise
Construction will be finished and luncheon for her in the Social Work conference room, presenting her with a
the CRC will be turned over to the basket of flowers and a plaque “For Outstanding Contributions to Quality
NIH by the end of August. On Patient and Family Care.”
September 13 labs and offices will “It was a complete surprise,” said Rander. “They do such wonderful
begin moving to the building. Tours work. That they should think of me is really an honor.” She added she was
for staff begin in September, and the particularly delighted with the cuisine’s international flare. “It included
official ribbon-cutting is scheduled some of my favorite selections from different parts of the world!”
for September 22. (“Just turned 80

Editor: Tanya Brown

Contributing Writers: Dianne Needham, John Iler
~T" Clinical Center
Clinical Center News, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human

News Services, 6100 Executive Blvd., Suite 3C01, Bethesda, MD 20892-7511. (301 496-2563. Fax:
(301 402-2984. Published monthly for Clinical Center employees by the Office of Clinical
)

Center Communications, Colleen Henrichsen, chief.

News, article ideas, calender events, letters, and photographs are welcome.
)

Clinical Center News online: www. cc.nih. sov/ccc/ccnews/current/

2 Clinical Center News July 2004

CRC adopts new standard in pneumatic carrier systems

A
closes
nurse picks up a 4-inch
diameter canister, drops
a small vial of patient’s
blood wrapped in paperwork,
it, selects a destination
in

from
of destinations,” said
Larry Eldridge,
special assistant to the
chief operating
officer.

the control box, inserts the tube Eldridge and his

and with a whoosh of air it colleague Jim Wilson
disappears into a virtual maze, sit at a table
where a sophisticated guidance examining two
system carries it to the Clinical canisters, called
Center Department of Laboratory “carriers:” a 4-inch
Medicine. On the other end, a diameter one which is

staffer retrieves it and the blood the “standard” now

sample is ready for processing. used by the Clinical
The concept of pneumatic tube Center and a 6-inch
systems is not new and was diameter model that
initially developed to check and will be the standard in
order stock in produce, retail and the Clinical Research
shipping outlets. All that’s needed Center (CRC). Two
is a tube and suction, not too inches doesn’t sound
The new carrier (left) will contain twice that of the old carrier
different from that of a giant like much, but the Besides size, the stations sending and receiving the
(right).

vacuum cleaner, and showrooms latter carrier is much new carrier will be more sophisticated and incorporate
can notify stock of sales that larger, being thicker, security measures.

consumers can pick up at a longer and easily

loading dock. holding twice as much as the behind.” Among those receiving
But in a hospital setting such smaller carrier. the new stations are Radiology,
as the Clinical Center, things are “The 6-inch earner will be Medical Records, Surgery,
much more sophisticated. “A used of ways,
in a variety Housekeeping, Phlebotomy, and
source has to send the tube to a including sending blood products, Pharmacy.
specific destination among dozens and pharmaceuticals,” said The new stations also will
Eldridge. It also can contain security measures to
contain supplies and protect controlled substances and
anything else that will private records. “Users will be
fit into it that can be able to use personal identification
safely sent in the numbers (PINs) before carriers
system. from the system,
are released
“There’s at least Eldridge said. “Thus, if private
one station each
in records or controlled substances
patient care unit and like narcotics are sent, PINs will
each department that’s be required to release the carriers.
relocating from the This will be particularly useful in
Clinical Center to the the event these types of items are
CRC,” Wilson wrong
inadvertently sent to the
explained. “A new management will
station.” Senior
tube station carrying decide how and when to
the larger carrier will implement this security feature,
be on every clinic Eldridge said.
floor as well as other With the construction of the
departments that are CRC, all stations will be built or
The new carrier panels are sophisticated, but the interface major users of the rebuilt using the 6-inch system.
is remarkably easy to use. Inset: Tube retrieval slots can
system that are staying Continued on page eight
withhold carriers until a PIN is entered.

July 2004 Clinical Center News 3

 CRIS ‘goes live’ July 31
RIS, the NIH Clinical work, CRIS will be turned on. Much CRIS will be a significant

Research Information of the historic information in MIS improvement over MIS, Rosenfeld
System, “goes live” on July can be transferred to CRIS explained, and the change will likely

31. This long-anticipated first electronically,” Rosenfeld said. “But generate some anxiety. “Activation

implementation covers the patient- some of the operational will be a very busy time for the
care aspects of CRIS, functions now information — including the several organization,” he said. “And though
handled by the Clinical Center’s 28- thousand inpatient orders — will have this is a new computer system, our

year-old MIS (Medical Information tobe transferred manually. We’ve processes of care are not changing in

System). worked with the Medical Executive any fundamental way. CRIS is not

“With CRIS, you’11 be able to Committee on a plan for the extra going to enforce any new standards

enter orders and documentation and hands to accomplish that transfer

retrieve them in a new way that will during the hours before we go live.” Continued on page six

be a dramatic improvement over

MIS,” explained Dr. Stephen
Rosenfeld, Clinical Center chief
information officer and associate
ClinPRAT applications
director for clinical research being accepted for 2005
informatics.
“MIS essentially

A
will be shut
pplicants for the NIH Clinical Pharmacology Research
down at midnight on Friday, July 30.
Associate Training Program (ClinPRAT) must complete all
After several hours of switch-over
paperwork and submit it by October 1 to be accepted for
positions opening on July 1, 2005. Early applications also will be
accepted.

Grand Rounds ClinPRAT is a three-year postdoctoral research fellowship training

program sponsored by the Clinical Center and the National Institute of
for Fellows General Medical Sciences. “The goal of the program is to develop a
cadre of scientists capable of conducting both basic and applied clinical
All physicians and healthcare pharmacology research,” says Training Program Director Arthur J.
professionals are invited to attend the Atkinson, Jr., M.D. “Individuals with this background are needed to fill

upcoming Grand Rounds lectures for key positions in academic, industrial, and federal research laboratories.”
Clinical Fellows. The first lecture, The program, says Atkinson, said, emphasizes the application of
"Separating Wheat from Chaff: laboratory pharmacology, biostatistics, pharmacokinetics and chemistiy
Critical Reading of the Biomedical
to the study of drug action in humans.
Literature," will be presented by Dr. Candidates must have an M.D. and, in general, must have completed
Michael M. Gottesman, Deputy three years of residency training. They additionally also will be board-
Director for Intramural Research, eligible in a primary medical specialty when entering ClinPRAT.
NIH on August 4 at noon in the
Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United
Lipsett Amphitheater. Mark your States. Each candidate’s qualifications will be evaluated by the Clinical
calendars for the other Grand Rounds Pharmacology Steering Committee.
for Fellows lectures: August 1 1, "The “Selection is highly competitive and preference will be given to
Ethics of International Clinical applicants with outstanding potential,” saysid Atkinson. “Most
Trials;" August 18, "Health successful candidates either have had Ph.D.s in addition to their M.D.s
Disparities in a Health Policy or have had substantial prior research experience.” The stipend is
Context: From Discrimination to
determined by the candidate’s educational and professional experience.
Quality;" August 25, "Health ClinPRAT fellows have the opportunity to participate in the NIH
Disparities among Pima Indians
the General Loan Repayment Program.
with Special Emphasis on Diabetes For additional information visit the ClinPRAT website at
Mellitus;" and September 1,
www.cc.nih.gov/researchers/training/clinprat.shtml or call Donna L.
"Management of Pain and Palliation: Shields at 301-435-6618.
An essential Component of Quality
Patient Care."

4 Clinical Center News July 2004

 There’s no other hospital like it

NEWS
JULY 2004 The IVIark O. Hatfield CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER

The Science Court, an atrium to promote health and healing

IN THIS ISSUE: hen the Mark 0 . Hatfield Clinical

Research Center (CRC) opens this fall,

• MEDICINAL PLANTINGS a multi-story, glass-enclosed oval-

• EXTERIOR COURTYARDS shaped atrium, the Science Court, will become the
• CEILING CENTER hub of the new hospital.
• INTERACTIVE SCULPTURE

“This new complex, combined with the existing

Clinical Center buildings, provides more than three

million square feet of patient care and translational
research, making it the largest clinical research

facility in the world,” said Robert Frasca, design

partner for Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, the

CRC architects. “The Science Court is the hearth

of both the NIH Clinical Center complex and the

NIH campus. It is a worthy and functional tribute to
the work that happens here.”

Rising nine stories, the atrium has seven floors of

occupied space, each with walkways facing inward

to the atrium. Two more levels comprise interior

ceiling space. The multi-purpose Science Court

will serve as the central gathering area, or main
“circulation spine,” connecting the CRC’s largest
building sections from north to south. The atrium rises nine stories and has seven floors
of occupied space, each with walkways facing
inward to the Science Court.
The two-story main hospital entrance sits on the
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES:
north side of the atrium. In this area, there will be Visitors will notice “X braces" throughout. Both

seating, a main reception desk, and security and functional and decorative, this design element pro-
WWW.CC.NIH.GOV/CCC/CRC
transportation functions. On the atrium’s south side vides both visual charm and support to the overall

will be the admissions area; the voucher, travel structure. The look of the space, with its “stag-

and cashier offices; the pharmacy; and garage gered” effect, is a result of the atrium opening
access for visitors and patients. A cafe on the east being smaller at the north and south ends on the
side and a gift shop on the west side will have odd numbered floors. This allows additional seat-
U.S.DEPARTMENT OF
access to the landscaped courtyards flanking the ing on patient floors. The terracotta hues of the
HEALTH AND HUMAN
atrium. A large public art sculpture will reside at terrazzo (or stone-based aggregate) atrium floor-
SERVICES
the center of the atrium. ing match the color of the disk-shaped center in

the middle of the ceiling.

National Institutes of Health

MARK 0. HATFIELD CLINICAL RESERCH CENTER 1

 “The Science Court is the CRC focal point and will Representatives from the Botanic Garden have pro-
invite interactions among people,” said Jim Hart, vided the Clinical Center with a list of the medical,

CRC project manager for Boston Properties, Inc., the research and homeopathic uses of such plants.
hospital’s development management firm. “It suc- Plans call for more discussions with the Botanic

cessfully balances and meets the needs of both Garden’s horticultural experts to determine what
patients and staff. Individuals coming through will find plants will grow best in the atrium and what types of

it an aesthetically pleasing environment." plant groupings or displays would be appropriate for

Several elements— medicinal plant displays, retail the CRC.

amenities, landscaped courtyards, a sun-like ceiling

center, and a healing waters sculpture— will enhance Exterior courtyards

the Science Court's appeal.

Since one primary design goal of the CRC is to pro-

Medicinal plantings vide a healing environment for patients, the east-

west facing patient wings are paired around two

Plants have been used for medicine for thousands of “people-scaled” landscaped courtyards that will pro-

years in all known cultures and the healing qualities vide serenity within the Clinical Center and border

of nature have long been recognized and relied on the Science Court. CRC patient rooms have large

as a valuable part of convalescence. The Clinical windows, and views to the courtyards offer visual sol-
Center is collaborating with the U. S. Botanic Garden ace, a connection to nature and a sense of peace.

to develop medicinal plant displays for the CRC.

The two courtyards are composed predominantly of

green space (low ornamental trees and plantings)

Two "people-scaled" land
scaped courtyards pro- with some hard surfaces for paths and seating areas.
vide serenity within the Each courtyard is approximately 16,500 square feet.
large CRC complex.
Public and patient access is limited to those areas
immediately adjacent to the Science Court. Other
outdoor space on the exterior of the CRC will be ded-
icated to outdoor program requirements of the CRC,
such as the pediatric playground.

Shadow studies were conducted to help the land-

scape team understand how and where plants

should be located. The courtyards are quite shady,
and the plant selection was very carefully tailored for

shade tolerance. Seating and planter walls are built

into the design layout, as are light standards and

paving design. The courtyards are mirror images of
each other in layout, but subtle differences exist

between the two planting plans.

Patient privacy on the ground floor also was an

important consideration in path layout and planting

scheme. The use of physical walls and screens was

ruled out early on as too intrusive for the openness of

the courtyards. Planter and tree size grow as one

“The plantings and descriptive text for each one moves away from the Science Court.

would be placed along the walkways on the floors

that face the Science Court atrium interior,” said “This creates an organic and figurative connection to

Crystal Parmele, director, Clinical Center Art the world and landscape beyond,” said Roger
Program, Office of Facilities Management. “The col- Courtenay, vice president, EDAW, Inc., the CRC’s
laboration is the result of our contact with the Botanic landscape contractor. “The organic layout is a relax-

Garden,” she said. “They have a medicinal plant col- ing counterpoint to the straight lines of the building,

lection and are eager to assist us.” and reinforces a soothing visual environment.”

2 MARK 0. HATFIELD CLINICAL RESERCH CENTER

“The courtyards originate at the Science Court center forth to apply the plaster, then troweling, burnishing,

and flow outwards to either end,” he said, “This and finishing the application properly, takes an inor-

emphasizes the court and its connective junction. dinate amount of energy and skill,” said Cox. “They

People will appreciate the greenery, the organic flow- know how Michelangelo felt painting the Sistine

ing lines of the courtyard design, the seating opportu- Chapel ceiling.”

nities, the private spots and visual relief.”

Interactive scylpfyre
Courtenay emphasized the importance to hospitals of

elements such as courtyards. “Research supports the Early on, the CRC design called for a double helix
contributions of garden environments to patient recov- staircase in the center of the Science Court, but this

ery. The therapeutic benefits of visual and physical idea proved to be cost prohibitive. The large atrium

access, through windows and in person, are well space still needed enhancement, however. To fill

known. NIH staff wanted family and visitors to be able that need, project manager Jim Hart facilitated a

to go outside with patients for private time. These design competition held last November. Several
kinds of places offer secure environments in close designs were presented to a small subgroup of the

proximity to hospital support." CRC Steering Committee. It didn’t take long for

those reviewing the designs to unanimously

Ceiling center approve and select the design proposed by artists

Gene and Susan Flores.

Looking skyward in the Science Court, one sees a

sun-like center in the ceiling. The 3,300-square-foot Gene, a sculptor, and Susan, a furniture maker,

disk, whose design replicates the atrium’s “X brace” work out of their studio in the Berkshires of western
design element, was specially crafted of Italian plaster Massachusetts. Their work, individually and as a
by head artisan Serge Vadenoff and other craftsmen team, may be seen throughout the country. For the
from Architectural Coatings, Inc. Director of Sales past eight years the couple has been considering
Danny Cox explained that this decorative plaster fin- and creating “intimate spaces," often doing sculp-
ish was “first developed by the ancient Romans, its tures as gifts, installing them in urban parks. “We’ve
technique closely guarded by Italy’s stuccatore maes- stood back to watch whether they ‘worked,’ and
tros.” found that people deeply appreciate coming across
an oasis in their daily routine,” said Susan.

The plaster used in the Science Court ceiling is

Marmorino, a stone product marketed by Architectural For the CRC Science Court, the Flores’ artistic

Coatings. Marmorino, known for its richness and approach is to create an oasis for the atrium center,

depth, contains only the highest quality marble, which a place away from the business and busyness of

is broken, ground and sifted. It is then mixed with the building, where people can find refreshment,

slaked lime and water to produce a seamless finish. conversation and the expression of hope. Their
Tints and color are added during the mixing process. source of inspiration comes from the story of
The plaster in the Science Court ceiling was done in Bethesda, the House of Mercy—which is ingrained
tiger eye— a custom color made to match the main in the history and geography of NIH. They based
hospital color selected by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca. their concept on and worked from the first part of

the Gospel of John, which describes a healing pool

This is the largest ceiling project the company has with five porches, where the sick await the angel’s

ever done and the first hospital they’ve done with stirring of the water.
Marmorino. Locally, the same product application can
be found in the International Spy Museum, the Italian The elements in their design include:
Embassy and several retail sites. Artisans specially
trained in the technique of applying these Italian plas- A Meditation Alley
ters spent two weeks working in three- or four-mem-

ber crews to complete the ceiling center. Standing on This mimics the elliptical arcs of the balconies
scaffolding, they prepared the ceiling to receive the above but completes the ellipse on the atrium main
Italian plaster by smoothing, sanding, and priming the floor. The walkway will be outlined by kentia palm
drywall before applying the special plaster. “Working trees around the perimeter of the atrium, establish-

overhead at an angle, with your arm going back and ing visual separation from the surrounding activity

MARK 0. HATFIELD CLINICAL RESERCH CENTER 3

JULY 2004 and providing a place for meditation, conversation or is a symbol of the CRC’s intent to “bridge the gap
a little exercise. between biology and human health." On it will be
inscribed quotes from pioneers of scientific thinking.

The Pool and Stream

The Porches
Accounts of the archeological excavation of the heal-

ing pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem describe two adja- Four more porches provide seating for contemplation
cent rectilinear pools with a portico porch between of the pool, stream and bridge. They will also allow
them, and four more around them. In the atrium’s for congregation and contemplation.
sculpture design, a square pool of still water empties
by virtue of a small waterfall into a stream, thus “stir-

ring the water.”

The entire sculpture will be entitled “Oasis.” A

The Bridge bronze plaque near the atrium art piece will include

this quote from the eighth-century Chinese poet Bai

The first of the five porches of Bethesda, the bridge Juyi (772-846 AD), “Wanderers from the four corners
of the Earth we meet first here—who needs an intro-

duction."
About file name
“Public art is like a boat," said Gene Flores. “You
The CRC's official building
have to build it, make sure it floats.” After that, you
name is the Mark 0.
have to make sure it is “accessible and then you
Hatfield Clinical Research
have to get people on board”— something he
Center.
believes will happen with the CRC sculpture.

The existing building’s offi-

For Susan this is an opportunity to give something
cial name is the Warren
back to the health care system and to everyone that
Grant Magnuson Clinical Center.
walks through the hospital door. She speaks from
experience, having had thyroid cancer as a child and
Together, the Hatfield and Magnuson buildings
breast cancer as an adult.
comprise Building 10. The organizational entity

will continue to be known as the NIH Clinical

Center.
The sentiment of the Flores’ sculpture may be best
expressed in this, the last line from Thornton Wilder’s
novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey: “There is a land of
Both Senator Hatfield and the late Senator
the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is
Magnuson actively supported medical research
love, the only survival, the only meaning."
during their careers. For further information, log

on to: www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/crc/.
— by Dianne Needham

The Mark O. Hatfield CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER A special supplement to CC News, published by the

NEWS Office of Clinical Center

Blvd., Suite 3C01,301496-2563.

Communications, NIH Clinical Center, 6100 Executive

4 MARK 0. HATFIELD CLINICAL RESERCH CENTER

 —
Blood Bank gets new donor
coordinator; says need is
critical really!
he Department of Transfusion honest reflection of

T
like
Medicine has
Resources Coordinator and,
most donor coordinators, he
a new Donor how things are here
as well as at other
blood banks around
doesn't want your blood, sweat and the country. The NIH
tears. He just wants your blood and a Blood Bank has
commitment to make a difference in always been self-

peoples' lives. sufficient in serving

Although he's been at the Clinical our patients' needs;
Center for only two months, A1 Decot however, the
(pronounced dee-koe) already is increasing demand
planning how to best educate NIH for blood and blood
employees on one simple fact: Giving components is very,
blood literally saves lives. very real."
"It's not just a kicker for a flyer you Decot has seen
see on a shuttle bus, wall or on a table people who are alive
tent in the cafeteria," he said. "It's a today because there
fact that should be taken seriously." was a blood supply
Decot isn't one to hide his agenda. available to save
He would like more people to become them. These patients
involved with donations to keep the have experienced At Decot (standing) chats with Ted Hambright, who has
blood supply at the Clinical Center firsthand the impact donated platelets every four weeks since 1974. His reason?
”
“ Charity Hambright said.
from continually being at a critical of those who donate
level. blood. In fact many of them recover can give blood. Decot has a simple
Is blood really in urgent demand at to become life-long donors. reply: "Let our professional staff
times or is it a come-on to get people "I wanted to work at NIH to be an assess your eligibility. It only takes a
to donate? What is the blood supply integral part of the medical research few moments and you may be
situation like right now? he's asked. team, along with the experience and surprised to learn that you can help
"Critical!" he replies without prestige of being at the nation's after all. Everyone can be involved by
hesitation, but not without some premier research facility," he says. just passing the word about the
frustration. He knows that if "And enormous potential
the importance of blood donations."
something is critical all the time, contribution to the community also -by John Iler
people will eventually become was a primary factor."
desensitized, lose interest and forget He knows many NIH donors are The NIH Blood Bank is open
about it. But though Decot can’t make dedicated, coming in regularly every Tuesday through Friday
people give blood, he wants them to eight weeks. Others respond to an 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
know that they should and that most urgent appeal on the NIH website and For questions, or to schedule an
people can. More importantly, he in the NIH Record and CC News. appointment, call
wants donors to feel good afterwards Still others have considered giving 301-496-1048.
and to know that they've really made blood but haven’t committed.
a difference. He wants to remind "Perhaps they assume someone else Walk-ins are welcome.
people in every way possible, so the will take care of it, or that they can't
table tents will continue, as will the devote the time." There's also the fact
flyers and friendly reminders. that some people just don't know how
"We really mean it when we say bad the situation is and that they
that the situation is urgent, that we really can save a life, reuniting people Do Something Amazing
need to act now, and we need your with their families and loved ones. Today... Save A Life!
help" he says. "This is just an open, And for those who don't think they

July 2004 Clinical Center News 5

 CRIS ‘goes live’

July 1
Continued from page four

of practice that will significantly

change the way we do things.”
CRIS provides the capability to
support computerized prescriber-
order entry (CPOE), Rosenfeld said,
and the Clinical Center’s Medical
Executive Committee will determine
what the organization’s ultimate
CPOE policy will be. “In CRIS,
prescribes can continue to give
verbal orders that are entered by
someone else authorized as an ‘agent
for.’ The difference in CRIS is that
those prescribes will now have to

come back, sign the order and verify

that was entered correctly. That has
it

to happen within a matter of days, but

in the meantime the order will be
active.” About 3,000 on CRIS, the NIH Clinical Research Information
staff will receive training
System, before the system goes on July 31. Fifty training stations are in operation
live
The part of MIS that will remain
in the Department of Clinical Research Informatics. Staff must complete training in
in operation is the computerized
order to receive an account to use CRIS. If you haven’t yet signed up for training,
appointment system (CAS). “Until we now’s the time to do so. Call the CRIS Training Hotline, 301-435-5077. For more
implement a new scheduling system, information on CRIS, go online: http://cris.cc.nih.gov. DCRI staffer Rubi Defensor
which is not yet a part of CRIS,” (standing) is one of the CRIS instructors. With her (from left) are Janet Rowan (white
lab coat), Pain Clinic (Outpatient Clinic 3); Fu-Meei Robbins, Department of
Rosenfeld said, “MIS will continue to
Transfusion Medicine: Bart Drinkard, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine; and
be used for this function. MIS access
Sabas Carino and Arlene Hagan, Department of Laboratory Medicine.
will be as restricted as possible until
then, and functions that support direct Training. Fifty training stations are training requirements and register for

patient care will be turned off.” available in three classrooms within classes.

Between now and the July 31 the Department of Clinical Research CRIS access form. Members of the
“go-live,” Rosenfeld explained, staff Informatics (1C290), CRIS training affiliate medical staff (except nurses)
need to complete training. Training headquarters. Classes will be offered must complete and have a supervisor
began June 14 and continues through 7 a.m. — 1
1
p.m., and some weekend sign a form before attending training

July 27. “You will not be able to get a classes will be available. Your job so that a CRIS account can be created
CRIS access code until you complete determines the classes you must take. and made available for use at CRIS
training.” Training for prescribes is go-live. Prescribes and nurses do not
After the go-live, expect plenty of consolidated within one class. All have to complete this form. The form

help in learning to use the new prescribes (physicians, nurse is available on the CRIS website, at
system, thanks to the CRIS Support practitioners, physician assistants, cris.cc.nih.gov.

Center. “We’re planning to offer nurse anesthetists, dentists) should Practice. The CRIS Practice Lab is
onsite help round the clock during view the online tutorial. Introduction available to help you get a head start
August,” Rosenfeld announced. “The to CRIS, before attending class. The in learning CRIS. Stop by before your

first couple of weeks, CRIS staff will tutorial is part of training for all other CRIS training for a general

be visiting the different areas to CRIS classes and is a great option to orientation to CRIS. After training,

provide help and answer questions.” help prepare for class or to review visit the lab to keep your skills fresh

what you’ve learned. with guided hands-on practice and

What you need to know to get Anyone who hasn’t yet scheduled individualized instruction on the new
ready for CRIS: training should call the CRIS training system.
hotline at 301-435-5077 to confirm Continued next page

6 Clinical Center News July 2004

 The Practice Lab is located on the first floor of
the Clinical Center. Look for the blue curtain near
the CRC exhibit across from the admissions desk.
It’s open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon and 1^4 CRIS Information
p.m.
Protocol order sets. Clinic unit clerks and
outpatient phlebotomy staff no longer will Training hotline: 301 - 435-5077
transcribe orders from manual order forms after
CRIS goes live. Prescribers and research staff will CRIS Support Center: 301 - 496-8400
enter orders directly into CRIS before a patient
arrives inphlebotomy or a clinic. Principal General CRIS info: cris.cc.nih.gov
investigators and research nurses can request that a
protocol order set be built to handle these routine
orders by contacting Sue Martin, Department of
Introduction to CRIS ,
the online tutorial:
Clinical Research Informatics, 301-496-4240. Her
e-mail is smartin@cc.nih.gov. In the interim, cris.cc.nih.gov/public/cristrainmg/tutorial.html
research staff can place lab orders into CRIS using
Outpatient Lab Order Sets.
—Sara Byars

Registration for 2004-2005 Introduction to the Principles and

Practice of Clinical Research begins August 18

R egistration for the

2004-2005 “Introduction
the Principles
Clinical Research” begins
and runs from October
and Practice of

1
August
8-February
to

18,
Center (Dallas, Tx) and the U.S.
Naval Medical Research Center
Detachment (Lima, Peru).
For additional information or
register, visit the course website
to
at
involved

• become
in human
including the role of
research.
subjects research,
IRBs

familiar with the principles

and issues involved in
in clinical

monitoring
15, 2005. Classes will be held on the www.cc.nih.gov/researchers/trainin patient-oriented research.
NIH campus Monday and Tuesday g/ippcr.shtml or call the NIH • be able to discuss the infrastructure

evenings from 5 p.m. to Clinical Center, Office of Clinical required in performing clinical
approximately 6:30 p.m. There is no Research Training and Medical research and have an understanding
charge for the course; however, the Education, at 301-496-9425. The of the steps involved in developing
purchase of a textbook is required. A deadline for registering is October 4. and funding research studies.
certificate will be awarded upon An e-mail confirmation will be sent This activity will be of interest to
successful completion of the course, to those accepted into the program. physicians and other health
including a final exam. If you require reasonable professionals training for a career in
Close700 students registered
to accommodations to participate in this clinical research. Interested persons
for the 2003-2004 program, which activity, please call 301- 496-9425 are strongly encouraged to take a
was also broadcast to Children’s during the business hours of 8:30 course in biostatistics such as STAT
National Medical Center a.m. - and 5 p.m. at least seven 200 or STAT 500 currently offered at

(Washington, D.C.), Georgetown business days prior to the event. the FAES.
University (Washington, D.C.),
George Washington University Course Objectives are to: The National Institutes of
Medical Center (Washington, D.C.), Health/Foundation for Advanced
Meharry Medical College (Nashville, • become familiar with the basic Education in the Sciences
Tenn.), Morehouse School of epidemiological methods involved in (NIH/FAES) is accredited by the
Medicine (Atlanta, Ga.), State clinical research. Accreditation Council for
University of New York (Syracuse, • be able to discuss the principles
Continuing Medical Education to
N.Y.), the University of Puerto Rico involved in the ethics of clinical
provide continuing medical
(San Juan, Puerto Rico), University research, the legal issues involved in
education for physicians.
of Texas Southwestern Medical clinical research and the regulations

July 2004 Clinical Center News 7

CRC’s new
carriers
Continued from page three

“At first this wasn’t the case,”

Eldridge said. “There was some
discussion of leaving the 4-inch
systems in areas where there is
low usage, but over the past year
we came to believe that it’s

important the system be complete

and that there is only one system
in operation. No
hospital that has
both systems does well. It results
in errors and confusion, and we

didn’t want the staff saying it was

so difficult to use that they
Larry Eldridge (left) and Jim Wilson.
stopped using it.”

Because of the blowers and tube systems, there are no they can go, said Wilson. Each
diverters used by the pneumatic limitations as to where or how far station has a panel listing the
various destinations. “So if you’re
in a patient care unit and want to
send specimens to the lab, or you
Quick facts about the need medications from Pharmacy,
pneumatic tube system you simply type in the number
corresponding to the destination

T he Clinical Research Center will have a pneumatic tube system (PTS),

system using 6-inch
carrier stations, 21 stations
carriers. There will be a
of them located on
total of 47 of the 6-inch-
in the patient care units and
and hit ‘send,’ and off it goes.”
The new carriers also
accommodate foam inserts for
the various departments in the CRC. fragile contents. In the older tubes,
Other 6-inch stations also will be located at in Housekeeping, stuffing had to be used to protect
Transfusion Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Surgical Services, each ACRF breakable or fragile items. With
clinic floor. Central Hospital Supply (B 1 ), Phlebotomy, Nuclear the foam inserts, this will not be
Medicine/PET, Radiology, Medical Records and the Dental Clinic. The required as often.
totalnumber of 6-inch earner stations will be 47. Other transport conveyances
The 6-inch earner can transport approximately 7-8 pounds and can also will be used at the CRC.
contain the volume of two 1 -pound bags —
about twice the capacity of the Electric track conveyors, also
existing 4-inch system. known as “the Mosler,” similar to
The 6-inch system also has more features than the 4-inch system, ones already being used at the
including the ability to shut down a station to prevent it from receiving or Clinical Center will move heavier,
sending a carrier; “secure send,” which requires entry of a personal bulkier items automatically to
identification number to send or receive controlled substances or other programmed stations. However,
items for which control/accountability is needed; and enhanced reporting Eldridge said, though they will be
software. new, the capacity will be the same
The plan isdecommission the existing 4-inch system shortly after
to as that currently being used. “In
CRC occupancy and to use only the 6-inch system to support the CRC and fact,” he said, “some of these
the Clinical Center. newer boxes may be in use at
The existing 4-inch system has 42 active stations, handling 800-1,200 present.”
transactions per day.

-by John Her