County updates
Recent upticks in COVID-19 cases underscore that our rural counties are not safe from the pandemic.
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This week, the Pottawatomie County Health Department announced a COVID-19 cluster at the Justice Center in Westmoreland. Several staff members who tested positive attended a funeral on Oct. 10 in Manhattan. Anyone who attended the funeral or who has been to the Justice Center within the last 14 days is urged to monitor themselves closely.
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Nemaha County Community Health Services issued an Oct. 12 letter to county residents stating that they have 71 active cases, with 180 projected by the end of the month. The letter asked everyone to redouble their efforts to take precautions and stop the spread.
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Western Kansas is also seeing increased growth in COVID-19 cases. Gove County Medical Center in Quinter, Kansas, issued a public statement on October 13 (emphasis added; the rest of the statement is available on the center's Facebook page): Gove County Medical Center would like to thank the community and the families for the support and understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of our Hospital staff, LTC, and other medical personnel are not able to work right now due to isolation and quarantine requirements. The absence of our employees has been felt facility-wide and we look forward to their healthy return. GCMC is also experiencing capacity occupancy in our COVID rooms, as are many of the regional hospitals in Western Kansas. Gove County has had 88 new positive COVID-19 cases in the past 14 days, and 7 deaths in the past 10 days. It is with heavy hearts that we report 6 of the 7 deaths have occurred in our Long Term Care. ... We are asking our community to come together by wearing a mask, social distancing, and diligent hand hygiene to overcome this virus. Without this unity, this situation will continue to strain our healthcare services, emergency medical services, and the lives of those around us.
We want to protect our counties, our associates, our patients, and our residents. Please take appropriate precautions when attending gatherings or public events such as football games or funerals.
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Quarantine questions
Updated FAQs are available in the For Associates section of our website; archived questions from earlier this year are also available. Have a question that's not addressed? Send it to news@chcsks.org or info@chcsks.org and we'll find the answer.
Not sure what to do in different COVID-19 situations? Consult the handout at left (click to expand).
As noted in a systemwide earlier this week, Employee Health now has a group email address: Use employeehealth@chcsks.org for your COVID-19-related needs.
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Self-care lessons from sled dogs?
Sled dogs love to run, but they don't know how far they are going, so a musher has to build trust and guide the dogs into the unknown by keeping them rested and healthy. The musher has to make good decisions along the journey and adjust to changing conditions.
Sound familiar? Dog sledding is a good analogy to living through a pandemic.
A recent article by Blair Braverman, dog sled racer and author, offered thoughts on lessons in resilience and self-care that she has learned from her dogs.
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Front-load rest: Don't wait until you collapse to rest. Ask for support before you need it, and support others before they ask.
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Reside in the present: Because we don't know how long the pandemic will last, making plans and constantly breaking them can become a source of stress. Focus on the immediate: eat a nourishing meal, walk your dog, get enough sleep, remind your loved ones that you care for them, and make your own life sustainable every day.
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Halloween will be here soon. KDHE offers considerations and tips for celebrating Halloween safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Around CHCS, plans are in place to help our communities celebrate safetly on October 30.
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Holton: Holton Family Health Center will provide a treat station for Trick-or-Treat on the Square.
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Frankfort: Frankfort Clinic will hand out treats to K-6 students as they walk through downtown.
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Westmoreland: Westmoreland Clinic will distribute treats to Westmoreland Elementary School students during their walk downtown.
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Centralia: CHCS donated candy for an event the school is hosting outdoors at the track. Eastridge is planning Halloween fun for residents.
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St. Marys: No community/school event is planned, but the Manor will host a party for residents.
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Onaga: CHCS will host a Trick-or-Treat Trail from 5 to 6 p.m. outside at Redbud. (Read on for more on this!)
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Onaga associates, we need volunteers! |
No school/community Halloween activities are planned in Onaga, and COVID-19 restrictions mean that the hospital and Redbud can't host trick-or-treaters as in past years. We know that everyone could use a little fun, so we're stepping up to provide a Trick or Treat Trail for everyone to enjoy from 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 30. (Click the flyer at right for details.)
We need help! Here's what you can do:
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Get with some members of your department to decorate and staff a treat station on the trail! A table and treats will be provided. You bring the fun decorations and wear your costume to help the kids and Redbud residents enjoy Halloween. Sign up by emailing news@chcsks.org before 4:00 p.m. October 28. WE WILL HAVE PRIZES FOR THE BEST TABLE DECORATIONS AND THE BEST COSTUME!
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Donate candy: We need an array of prepackaged treats to bring smiles to the faces of our trick-or-treaters. Please bring candy donations to the Admin office anytime between now and 4:00 p.m. October 28. No homemade items allowed, please!
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If you have trick-or-treaters in your family, bring them and have a great time!
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Encourage women to get a mammogram in October!
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it's the perfect time to encourage your friends and family members to get a mammogram.
Women who get a mammogram at CHCS in October receive some small prizes, a coupon for 20% off one item at the Coffee and Gift Shop, plus the peace of mind provided by the benefits of early detection.
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Onaga Historical Society sponsors farm stress event
A panel of experts and participants from Community HealthCare System will discuss farm stress at 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 19 at the Onaga Community Center.
The doors open at 6:00 for those interested in learning about the Crossroads: Change in Rural America project funded by the Smithsonian through Humanities Kansas. Onaga is a partner site for the program.
COVID-19 restrictions will be observed. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Reservations are recommended; click the flyer to expand and find more information, or take a look at the Onaga Historical Society Facebook page.
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Lutz named Director of Ancillary Services
Congratulations to Andrea Lutz! Last week, it was announced that Andrea will be transitioning into a new role as Director of Ancillary Services in the next month.
Lutz will succeed Roz Lewis, who is retiring at the end of November. Read more.
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Infusion room construction begins
Earlier this month, we announced that CHCS is moving forward with construction of an infusion room on the east wing of Onaga Community Hospital. The project began this week!
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Pool update
The Onaga Fitness Center has not reopened the pool since COVID-19 forced closures earlier this year. The pool requires extensive maintenance. Earlier this week, we shared details on our blog with Fitness Center patrons and the public to help answer questions we have received. If you receive questions from community members, please direct them to the article.
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Reminder: Apply for Wish List grants for your department
The Greater Giving program offers associates an opportunity to give back to CHCS. One available fund is the Wish List.
CHCS departments, long-term care, and clinics may apply for small grants from the Greater Giving Wish List fund to meet program or patient needs that emerge after budgets are established or for needs that budgets have not been able to accommodate.
COVID-19 delayed our spring plans to award Wish List grants and probably delayed some applications, so the Greater Giving Committee is reopening applications for 2020 Wish List purchases. Applications are due Monday, November 2 at 5:00 p.m. The application and guidelines are available on Power DMS. Grants will be announced in November. Those who submitted applications earlier this year need not resubmit.
Want to find out more about Greater Giving? Find information in the "For Associates" section of the CHCS website. Donate by filling out a form during Open Enrollment in November or by contacting Human Resources to set up a one-time or repeated payroll deduction. Cash or checks are also accepted.
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Mark those calendars!
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Help with an emergency blood shortage by giving blood at CHCS on Friday, October 16. Appointments are preferred. View available appointments and reserve your time online or call Marlene Wolfe at extension 5002.
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The final flu shot clinic for associates is scheduled for October 19 in Onaga; find the details. The flu shot deadline is October 30, 2020.
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The NZone store remains open through October 27. Samples of laser-etched jackets and other items have traveled around the system and are in the Onaga Gift Shop. Items ordered from NZone ship directly to you. Questions about NZone apparel items are best addressed to Michelle Burgess at NZone; her number is listed at the bottom of each page on the store site.
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Coffee Shop special
October 19-23
French vanilla latte
- Hot, iced, or frappe
- 16 oz., $4
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Need a quick dessert?
Try our pumpkin dip mix! Just add the mix to 4 oz. cream cheese and a can of sweetened condensed milk, and presto! A delicious dip to serve with graham crackers, apples, and/or gingersnaps.
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Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Did you miss your Connection?
Important information is relayed every week in the E-Connection. If you miss it in your email, an archive is available on our website. Visit the For Associates page, then click E-Connection Archive.
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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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