SEPTEMBER 2003 A periodic round-up of news from Johns Hopkins Medicine designed to give busy executives easy-to-read reports and useful information from one of the region's largest private employers.
Here's what's been happening at Hopkins Medicine since our summer newsletter. Of special interest is an article on the direct involvement of top leaders in improving patient safety. It is our highest priority, and we think we are making measurable progress.
Please let us know if you have questions or comments about any of these topics. We welcome your suggestions. Comments and questions may be sent to: jhmedicine@jhmi.edu-- Edward D. Miller, M.D., Dean of the Medical Faculty, CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine
-- Ronald R. Peterson, President, Johns Hopkins Health System, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
HOPKINS TOPS IN QUALITY AMONG BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON CONSUMERS
Once again, The Johns Hopkins Hospital wins the Consumer Choice Award for both the Baltimore and Washington regions, one of the few hospitals nationwide earning top ranking in dual-market regions. The award goes to hospitals achieving the highest consumer ratings for quality and image.$120 MILLION I.T. INITIATIVE TO COORDINATE BUSINESS PROCEDURES
HopkinsOne, a $120 million commitment by the University and Health System, will coordinate all of Hopkins' business systems through a modernized information technology network. Completion date: 2008. TOP HOPKINS LEADERS FOCUS ON PATIENT SAFETY
"Senior Executive Safety Rounds" aimed at involving all top Hopkins leaders in reducing medical errors has led to dramatic increases in safety awareness. Each executive meets monthly with the staff of an intensive care unit to discuss safety issues and take responsibility for finding solutions. HOPKINS SUPPLIES ON-SITE DOCTORS TO SECRET SERVICE
A team of Hopkins physicians has made more than 20 trips overseas providing medical support to former presidents and dignitaries on international trips deemed medically high-risk. BERG MOVES TO NIH
Jeremy Berg, director of the School of Medicine's Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences, will lead the National Institute for General Medical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health. NIGMS' $1.8 billion budget funds basic research in cell biology, biophysics, genetics, pharmacology, physiology and bioinformatics.
TRIPLE-SWAP TRANSPLANT
The first three-way, paired kidney swap, performed at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, could boost kidney transplants among those with willing but incompatible donors.GENE THERAPY EXTENDS SURVIVAL FOR MICE WITH ALS
A novel form of gene therapy has delayed symptoms and almost doubled life expectancy in mice with the equivalent of Lou Gehrig's disease, researchers report. It's the most beneficial treatment ever seen in the mice. MISLEADING EPHEDRA WEIGHT-LOSS INFORMATION
Internet sites promoting dietary supplements containing ephedra are posting false or misleading medical information, according to a Johns Hopkins study. AROUND-THE-CLOCK TRAUMA PROGRAM IMPROVES PATIENT OUTCOMES
A full-time trauma service staffed by hospital specialists can significantly reduce patient triage times, reduce overcrowding and lower death rates, according to a Johns Hopkins study. NATURAL HORMONE COULD REVERSE HEART DAMAGE
By altering the signaling pathway of leptin, a natural hormone, researchers say doctors may one day minimize or reverse a dangerous enlarged heart condition linked to obesity. IMMUNE SYSTEM DRUG MAY INCREASE AVAILABLE LIVERS FRO TRANSPLANTS
Animal researchers have found a drug already approved by the FDA for testing might one day dramatically expand the number of livers used for human transplantation.
THE BLEEDING ALWAYS STOPS
University President Bill Brody writes that extrapolation doesn't work in trying to gauge future rises in health-care costs.
For news and information from The Johns Hopkins University: http://www.alumni.jhu.edu If you would like to subscribe to the e-mail version of JHUpdate, send an e-mail message to lyris@list.alumni.jhu.edu with the subject line "Subscribe JHUpdate." The e-mail address will be added to the list. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, send an email with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line to: jhmedicine@jhmi.edu | 
