Our rescheduled Hospital Week will wrap up tomorrow with a special edition E-Connection featuring associates with 30 years of service, plus ice cream bars all around!
Don't forget to email the "winning phrase" from the Hospital Week "Roaring Twenties Trivia" quiz to hr@chcsks.org by 5:00 p.m. on Friday. All who submit by the deadline will be entered in a prize drawing, and winners will be announced early next week.
Thanks to Crazy Mask Day participants on Tuesday. Here's photo evidence:
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Julia Ingwerson, St. Marys
"There's no place like CHCS"
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PPE changes for all staff and Zoom for Associates
The COVID-19 Response Team has issued updated PPE requirements and recommendations for all CHCS staff. Recommendations are changing because the incidence of COVID-19 is rising in our area. We need to both protect our associates from exposures to COVID-19 and avoid the need to quarantine personnel in our departments. Department managers should be able to answer questions about PPE requirements, and more information will be provided via Zoom on Monday (see below).
Key points
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All associates should wear, at minimum, a Level 1 medical mask while at work during non-patient care activities regardless of department.
- A cloth mask may be worn if an associate is having skin discomfort from a Level 1 mask, but a Level 1 mask or higher would need to go on top of the cloth mask.
- A cloth mask may also be worn on top of a Level 1 mask.
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All staff at direct patient care locations should wear eye protection and a KN95 mask while performing patient care.
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All patient interactions via a 1:1 consultation should be done with eye protection and a KN95 mask.
- An N95 mask, if available, may be used for nasopharyngeal specimen collection.
- If N95 masks are not available, a KN95 or surgical mask is appropriate.
- Eye protection, gown, and gloves should also be worn for this type of specimen collection.
- An N95, half-face respirator, or PAPR must be worn with eye protection during any aerosol-generating procedure/situation with any patient.
- NOTE: Reading glasses ONLY are not considered eye protection. Reading glasses with safety glasses, goggles, or eye shield are appropriate and considered appropriate eye protection. More information on eyewear options will be sent to managers soon.
Zoom for Associates
A Zoom meeting will be held from 12:15 to 1:00 on Monday, September 21 for all associates. The meeting will address PPE changes and other topics. Please email questions in advance to news@chcsks.org. As always, a recording of the meeting will be available afterward for those who can't attend.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 995 7162 2545
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,99571622545# US (San Jose)
+12532158782,,99571622545# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
We will send an email reminder Monday morning about the meeting, or you can paste the info above into your calendar.
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September 22 is CHCS Mental Health Day
Mental health is more important than ever as we cope with uncertainty and stress associated with the pandemic. The CHCS Mental Health Committee wants to help raise awareness and support for mental health, and we hope all associates will join in a self-care walk-a-thon. You'll get all the benefits of a brisk walk, plus prizes and a break for some fun.
How to participate
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Wear green on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
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Designated associates will begin by "tagging" someone to go for a walk. When tagged, go for a 10- to 15-minute walk inside or outside the campus. Feel free to tag a co-worker and walk in pairs!
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When you are finished, tag another co-worker to keep the self-care walk-a-thon going!
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After tagging someone, check in with the designated person at your location to sign the roster. You'll receive a treat AND be entered into a drawing for self-care prizes!
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St. Marys: Annette Engell (Manor) and Vicky Hurla (clinic, hospital, therapy, HomeHealth)
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Onaga: Marlene Wolfe or Alisa Skruch
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Holton: Sam Correll and Brandy Watkins
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Centralia: Kasey McClary (Eastridge) and Peggy Buessing and Tammy Pacha (clinic)
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Frankfort: Lyndsi Morton and Stacy Vermetten
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Westmoreland: Mary Budenbender and Jess Hipp
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Three Good Things
Reminder: Sign up now for 3 Good Things! You'll receive a daily text with a link that will ask you to record your three good things.
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IT reminder: Red flags for email scams
COVID-19 scams are becoming more and more common on email, as are other phishing attacks. Healthcare is often a target of these attacks.
Take time to review the red flags that should make you suspicious of an email. (Click the graphic to expand or download.)
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Reminder: Flu shots starting soon!
Flu shot clinics will be available for associates starting September 25. The flu shot is a condition of employment at CHCS. (See flyer for details.)
Be sure to bring your completed flu shot consent and annual health assessment with you to the flu shot clinic. Find documents in Public Folders > Employee Health > Influenza or in PowerDMS (search for flu vaccination & health assessment).
The flu shot deadline is October 30, 2020. Please click on the flier to find details on declinations.
Questions? Contact Christina Hasenkamp at ext. 5109.
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September is Sepsis Awareness Month
Sepsis affects 1.7 million people and costs 270,000 lives in the U.S. every year. CHCS Physician Assistant Shelia Talley provided some information to help us learn more.
What is sepsis? Why is it a big problem?
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the body’s response to an infection. Sepsis occurs when chemicals released into the bloodstream to fight an infection trigger inflammation throughout the body. This can cause a cascade of changes that damage multiple organ systems, leading them to fail, sometimes even resulting in death.
Who is most susceptible to sepsis?
Those at the highest risk of developing sepsis include the very young and the elderly, as well as people with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Also, those who have an impaired immune system are also more susceptible than the general population.
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Thank you
I just want to thank everybody who has either donated, helped out in Dietary, or offered me help. This has been the hardest thing to go through, but I know here I’m not alone, and that helps so much that you may not even understand. I appreciate you all so much.
Thank you,
Amanda Norris and family
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Redbud Plaza Assisted Living has been celebrating National Assisted Living Week with some special activities. Monday was Hat Day, Tuesday was Mismatch Day, Wednesday was Farm Day, today is Team Day, and tomorrow is Red, White, and Blue Day!
A few photos are below. Thanks to our staff for planning and joining in the fun.
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Have you been counted?
If 1% of the Kansas population is uncounted in the 2020 Census, the state of Kansas could miss receiving approximately $603,990,400 in federal funding over a 10-year period. Ensure you count, ensure your community counts, and ensure Kansas Counts by participating in the 2020 Census!
The Census deadline is the end of September. Be sure to respond!
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CHCS Cute Pet Contest: Vote to decide the winner!
It's time to vote! Take a look at the photos below, then hit the survey link to vote for the winner by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, September 22. The winner will be announced in next week's edition of the E-Connection.
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Left column, top to bottom:
Zeus
Scout
Ruthie
Quinn
Oscar
Jenny & Owen
Gypsy
Bingo
Bentley
Angus
Ace & Tiggy
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Right column, top to bottom:
Vito Gambini
Sam
Rory
Murphy
Kitty
Gus
Gordy
Beau & Jack
Bandit
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Questions? Email news@chcsks.org or call Sarah at ext. 5133. Thank you to Tamera Anwar for a great idea!
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Coffee Shop special
September 21-25
Lavender Vanilla Latte
- Hot, iced, or frappe
- 16 oz., $4
Try something new!
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Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Send items for the E-Connection or for sharing with our broader social media audience to sarahhancock@chcsks.org. Please send items by close of business on Tuesdays when possible. Ideas are welcome!
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