Happy Hospital Week! Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to see some photos from our celebrations.
- Be sure to check your email for special editions of the E-Connection dedicated to Associate Recognition.
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CHCS COVID-19 vaccine efforts
CHCS has been working hard throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to tackle the ever-changing challenges the pandemic presents. Delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine has been one of these challenges. CHCS, along with other health systems across the state, first had to figure out how to deliver vaccines to employees in less than 5 days…and then do it again 21 days later.
The next Covid-19 vaccine hurdle was working with the public health departments of the four different counties we serve (Pottawatomie, Jackson, Marshall, and Nemaha) to ensure that our patients had equal access to the vaccine when we weren’t eligible to receive it directly. This was particularly challenging for CHCS because each of the four counties needed different kinds of support.
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Marshall County preferred to vaccinate their residents, so our Frankfort registration and nursing staff worked together to help schedule interested patients to receive their vaccine at the Marshall County Health Department.
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Jackson County had a similar model in which our Holton Clinic nurses and registration staff worked hard to get patients scheduled at Jackson County mass vaccination clinics. Our Holton Clinic nurses also volunteered at these clinics and helped vaccinate county residents.
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Nemaha County preferred to give vaccine to Centralia Clinic to schedule and administer themselves. Centralia Clinic vaccinated 130 patients for the Nemaha County Health Department.
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Pottawatomie County had a hybrid delivery model in which CHCS associates volunteered at their mass vaccination events but also received vaccine at our St. Marys and Onaga clinics. CHCS helped Pottqwatomie County vaccinate ~500 people at mass vaccine clinics and ~180 people inside the St. Marys and Onaga clinics.
In late March, CHCS received notification that we were eligible to directly receive and administer vaccine at each of our clinics. We quickly realized that we would have to adjust our vaccine delivery model from a centralized vaccination team to a clinic-based delivery model. Our staff once again tackled this new challenge.
By the end of this week, CHCS will have given 1,470 doses of COVID-19 vaccine since December 17, 2020 (not including doses given at county mass vaccination clinics). Thank you to every associate who helped plan, schedule, promote, and vaccinate the population that we serve. Your efforts are very much appreciated and haven’t gone unnoticed.
--Hali Brown, PharmD
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PPE change
All front-line staff can now wear a Level 1 mask or surgical mask instead of a KN95 when interacting with non-PUI patients.
This policy will change if community spread of COVID-19 increases and our counties are rated as yellow on the KDHE Nursing Home Metrics (as indicated the COVID-19 Testing Update that we send each Monday).
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Looking for reliable vaccine information?
KFMC Health Improvement Partners has developed a fact sheet about available COVID-19 vaccines. The fact sheet includes explanations of how mRNA vaccines work, how viral vector vaccines work, what other ingredients are in the vaccines, and more. Click the image at left to expand or download the flyer.
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A better way to talk about mental health |
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we are sharing articles and information to help everyone address tough topics. This week's topic is using person-first language to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.
Did you know that the language we use to talk about mental health may contribute to the stigma, prejudice and discrimination of individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition? We are all unique individuals and want to be treated as such. There is much more to each person than their mental health condition and, many times, in our field of work, we see patients at their worst. Person-first language refers to speaking and writing in a way that acknowledges the person first, and then their condition or disability. It indicates what the person HAS, rather than allowing IT to define the person. When we recognize the person first, we acknowledge that individual has the power to overcome that condition and live a full life separate from the mental illness.
Here are some examples:
- Instead of saying "mentally disabled" or "mentally ill," try saying the person has a "mental health condition" or "has a mental illness"
- Instead of saying someone "committed suicide," say the person "died by suicide"
- Instead of saying someone is "retarded" or "mentally retarded," say the person "has an intellectual disability"
- Instead of saying someone is an "addict, junkie, or drunk," say the person "has a substance abuse disorder"
- Instead of saying someone is "crazy, insane, psycho, or nuts," describe the person's symptoms.
It's important to remember to respect each individual’s preference on how they wish to refer to their own mental health status. CHCS continues working to increase the mental health awareness and services for our associates, patients, and communities. With this work, we challenge all associates to become more consciously aware of our own language, attitudes, and beliefs regarding mental health.
Note: TODAY is the deadline to register for Youth Mental Health First Aid. Take a look at "Important Reminders" below for details.
-- Angie Sauvage, Licensed Master Social Worker
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Before and after in Frankfort |
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Frankfort Clinic has a new nurses station!
Take a look at the before-and-after shots below, courtesy of Jeremy Brandt, PA. The new work area not only offers more privacy and storage, but also looks great!
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Walk Kansas: Participants get a free T-shirt!
The Livewell Committee is purchasing a T-shirt for all CHCS Walk Kansas participants! If you are participating, you should have received an email with instructions on how to order your shirt. The deadline is TOMORROW, May 14, so be sure to submit your order. If you didn't receive the email, contact Sarah Hancock via email or at ext. 5133.
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May celebrations
Eastridge, Redbud, and St. Marys Manor residents have had a lot to celebrate so far in May!
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Below: Officer Lisa Davis from St. Marys Police Department put together some Mother's Day flower arrangements for the residents of the St Marys Manor.
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Below: The Women's group of St. Vincent de Paul put on a wonderful program at Redbud on May 11. They served fresh-brewed tea and listened to a presentation about Bee Keeping by Robin Kolterman.
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Below: Eastridge residents enjoyed a Cinco de Mayo party last week.
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Right: Community members sent May Day flowers to Redbud residents. Special thanks to Meghan Weiser and Alyssa Nider for putting everything together.
Below and right: Eastridge residents enjoyed Mother's Day festivities.
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Below and right: Several moms at Redbud enjoyed flower deliveries for Mother's Day!
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Important reminders
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CHCS is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid to give adults who work with youth the skills they need to provide initial support to children and adolescents who may be developing mental health or substance use problems. An inaugural class will be available Thursday, May 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The course will be conducted virtually via Zoom, and participants are required to complete two hours of online education before the class begins. Cost is $40 per person. View a flyer or read our blog post for more information. Registration deadline: TODAY, May 13.
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Make plans to donate at our upcoming blood drive! Community Blood Center will visit Onaga Community Hospital TOMORROW (May 14) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Appointments are strongly recommended. Schedule online or contact Marlene Wolfe at ext. 5002 or marlenewolfe@chcsks.org.
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Employee Assistance Program: All CHCS associates are eligible for three confidential counseling sessions per fiscal year (April 1-March 31). To schedule, contact Regina Gronewoller, LSCSW, at reginagronewoller@chcsks.org (preferred) or call 785-437-3734. Download and share a flyer.
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Coffee Shop special
May 17-21
Peanut brittle latte
- Peanut butter and vanilla
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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CHCS menus: Onaga and Eastridge |
Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle
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Thanks to Onaga Dietary staff for getting us into the spirit of Cinco de Mayo with delicious food, music, and more! |
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Hospital Week fun!
Below are a few photos from Nurses Week and Hospital Week. Thanks to all who had a hand in planning and implementing some fun treats and activities for all to enjoy this week!
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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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