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Letters

Role of liaisons

in ER clarified

After reading the article "Liaison program links patients, volunteers" (News, Feb. 23), I feel a few corrections and clarifications are in order:

Believe it or not, I've never watched an episode of "ER," but "chaos" is not a word I would use to describe the UCLA Emergency Medicine Center (EMC). Indeed, as an industrial engineer, I'm usually impressed by how well organized the EMC is when conditions are in a state of flux.

Dr. Baxter Larmon is the coordinator, not the founder, of the EMC Patient Liaison program. Several individuals were involved in the formation of the program and it continues to evolve with their input and that of the liaisons themselves.

Most of the quotes in the article are taken out of context and I'm not sure how accurate they are, given that the Bruin reporter was not recording our interviews. The quote attributed to me was a paraphrase of what I actually said during the course of a broader discussion, so I assume the other "direct" quotes were similarly constructed.

The Patient Liaisons do not check on a patient's "mental, rather than physical state" - that's the function of the social worker on duty. The liaisons see to non-medical needs, such as getting blankets and magazines, making phone calls, listening to concerns and so on.

Pam Shade is an Administrative Nurse II (ANII) who is excellent at patient interaction but the function of the ANII is primarily administrative (hence the name). The six or more primary care nurses on duty are the ones who actually see the patients under the supervision of the ANII but the article makes no mention of this fact.

The patient who sent flowers and cookies in gratitude included all of the doctors and nurses who helped her, not just the liaison, which happened to be me, as the article states.

Training for the EMC Patient Liaison program involves a minimum of 20 hours: a four-hour shift shadowing an experienced liaison, a four-hour classroom session, two four-hour shifts shadowing different EMC personnel and one four-hour trial shift in which an experienced liaison shadows the recruit to provide immediate feedback.

Liaisons do learn about the different "shifts and schedules" and "Do's and Don'ts" within the EMC but the "focus" of the program is to provide a positive experience for patients by acting as a liaison between EMC staff, family and visitors.

Students who wish to become EMC Patient Liaisons must first work a minimum of 100 volunteer hours in one of the other departments at UCLA Medical Center. In addition, we ask that all prospective volunteers commit to the program for at least six months to justify our investment in training them.

In conclusion, I appreciate the positive attention given to the EMC Patient Liaisons but I'm afraid the article did so by unjustly portraying the caring and dedicated EMC staff in a negative light.

Rich Thigpen

Patient Liaison volunteer

Emergency Medicine Center

Reduce and reuse before recycling

While I agree that UCLA needs to increase its recycling efforts, I feel that the Daily Bruin missed the big picture.

The mantra "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," which was misstated in the margin above the graphic accompanying Julie Bernstein's story "Recycling program targets paper products" (News, March 10), is in that order for a very good reason. Recycling should be the last resort, not the focus of UCLA's efforts.

The emphasis should be on reducing the waste stream in the first place. Among other methods, food centers should have washable plates, cups and cutlery to reduce plastic and paper trash. Stores should carry more refillable pens, pencils and highlighters, and fewer disposable ones. Purchasing agents should favor products that use minimal packaging. Computer centers should collect and reuse paper printed on one side only. Food waste should be turned into mulch for trees and plants. The campus should be full of stands where people can leave newspapers and other reading material for others to enjoy.

If UCLA made a serious effort to reduce and reuse waste, recycling what is left would not be such a daunting project.

Kay M. Gilbert

Graduate student

Urban planning

TV news lacks

tact, credibility

I would like to compliment Alicia Roca for her column "Sensationalistic news trivialize real issues" (Viewpoint, March 12) on the ridiculous and sensational news stories we are constantly bombarded with. This practice is nationwide but appears worse in Los Angeles.

I think we should all e-mail the TV news stations telling them that this type of reporting is unprofessional and unacceptable. I am so sick of the Hollywood gossip repeated on every channel during every hour of prime time. Who cares?

I am also appalled by the lack of dignity and decency on the part of the news media when covering violent stories and would also like to see more international news covered in-depth. We might actually learn what's going on in the rest of the world.

Carol Grese

Academic Specialist

Kinsey Administrative Group (KAG)