Savvy Shopping

Some Baltimore traditions just keep getting bigger and better, and the Best Dressed Sale and Boutique, mounted each fall by the Women's Board of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, is no exception. Smart shoppers know that this is the place to go for great clothes at great prices, and this year's inventory, say co-chairs Barbara Dover and Ellie Jarrett, is bigger than ever before. Gently used skirts, dresses, jackets, tops, pants, evening wear and elegant, full-length furs. Wedding gowns, vintage apparel, fine scarves and jewelry. Suits, sports coats and tuxedos for men. Plenty for kids, too.

Fashion slaves, rejoice: There is more designer clothing on the racks than ever before. No need to feel guilty when spending that wad: All proceeds benefit patient care at Hopkins Hospital (last year's sale grossed $130,000), and leftover clothes go to charity. The Details: Thursday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 5, Evergreen Carriage House, 4545 N. Charles St. (just north of Cold Spring Lane). Hours: Thurs: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mastercard and Visa accepted. No strollers permitted.

Disaster Drill

Johns Hopkins' three hospitals weren't the only JHM entities to participate in the regional disaster drill that took place in Baltimore City and several surrounding counties July 9-10. Also taking part in the 36-hour exercise was Johns Hopkins Home Care Group, a key player in the event of a disaster, because as hospital beds are freed up to deal with the crisis, patients will be discharged to home.

The drill had pretend patients turning up at local emergency departments with botulism and smallpox. Every area of the JHHCG organization-Pediatrics at Home, Home Health Services, Pharmaquip-geared up for referrals from the Hopkins system and other providers. Coordinators at area hospitals were contacted to determine potential home care admissions. Patient visits and deliveries of equipment and emergency medication were prioritized; suppliers contacted; avenues of communication established with staff.

Carson Comes Back

Instead of trying to complete it all at once, the operation to separate Laden and Laleh Bijani, the 29-year-old sisters joined at the head, should have been performed in several stages over the course of weeks, Ben Carson said at a news briefing here on July 11, shortly after returning from Singapore where he was one of two lead neurosurgeons on the Bijanis' medical team. Carson appeared rested but subdued as he discussed the 53-hour marathon operation that led to the twins' death. He said the experience provided key lessons for the future. Before the procedure, an understanding that the separation would proceed "no matter what" had been reached. "If it had been done at Hopkins, and I had been involved from the beginning, I don't think I personally would have accepted that ultimatum," Carson said.

Good Habits

A new initiative designed to reinforce good habits and featuring a maxim a month will debut in September. Called Care & Concern, the program employs catch phrases like "Mind Your Manners," "Rediscover Silence" and "Just Do It." Care & Concern is the latest in a series of initiatives in the service excellence campaign and joins ongoing programs like "First Impressions," "Catch a Shining Star" and "Bright Ideas."