Since 2004, Johns Hopkins Medicine has exceeded its annual United Way campaign fundraising goal. Thanks to widespread participation, generous contributions and creative fundraising, the enterprise surpassed its 2015 goal of $1.73 million to help improve life for families and communities. These funds have translated into tangible support for myriad programs, including the 2-1-1 Maryland United Way Helpline, which answers more than 450,000 calls for help each year in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia. Over the past five years, 9.1 million meals have been distributed to low-income families across central Maryland. Nearly 2,300 people facing homelessness received much-needed resources at Project Homeless Connect events in 2015. Watch a brief video that captures the spirit of employees celebrating the success of this year’s campaign.

Conserving Medical Products

As national shortages affect the availability of items like IV solution for rehydration therapy, Johns Hopkins Medicine is working to conserve such products. “When we make a concerted effort, we can do a very good job of reducing waste in our health system,” says Thomas Galloway, director of clinical value analysis for the health system’s supply chain shared services and a registered nurse. Clinicians are now asked to conserve as much IV solution as they can, he says, switching to oral  hydration when a patient is able to swallow liquids.

Operating room nurses, surgeons and one of the health system’s vendors recently worked together to redesign surgical supply packs to include fewer items that are used less frequently. That way, when a pack is opened at the start of a surgery, there’s less likelihood that tools inside will go to waste. Learn more about continuing efforts to conserve products and minimize costs systemwide.