The Kansas Hospital Association sent the photo greeting above for everyone at Community HealthCare System. Happy Hospital Week! We look forward to rescheduling our celebration and Associate Recognition Banquet later in the year.
The video below shows photos of many of the healthcare heroes who work here at CHCS. We have shared the video with KHA and on social media. Thank you for all you do!
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Setting an example
As we moved toward re-opening – or, more appropriately, a return to “normal” operations – we continually asked ourselves the question, “What are patients expecting to see, and what will make them feel safe again?”
NRCHealth, a national research company, recently analyzed more than 22,000 patient comments related to COVID-19 and shared that
patients are feeling anxious and looking for empathy
. Moreover, the analysis found that
patients trust and value their healthcare providers more than ever, and that our communities are looking to us as leaders for information and education
. When reading the report, I was struck by one particular comment: “
I was impressed … that people coming in and out of the clinic door had masks on, in addition to the employees inside.”
Our patients notice the extra efforts
we make disinfecting areas and the screening measures we have created to keep them safe.
They appreciate the examples we set for our community.
Setting an example is just as crucial when we are outside hospital or clinic walls.
I can imagine the conversation:
“Hospital staff cares about me while I’m in the hospital and everyone wears a mask to keep me safe there, but why don’t they wear one while at the grocery store?!”
The conclusion people will draw is that they can’t catch COVID-19 outside of the hospital. We know this isn’t true, plus it contradicts what I’ve been telling people for the past six weeks, which is that I feel safer in the hospital than I do at the grocery store!
We know that even a cloth mask helps
reduce transmission from ourselves to others. We wear a mask at work out of respect for others. We must do the same when we are outside the hospital.
I get it:
Masks are uncomfortable, annoying, inconvenient, and some people look at you like you’re an alien or you’re weak when you wear a mask. Whenever Nancy and I go out where we may come into contact with other people and can't maintain social distancing, we always have our masks and hand sanitizer.
I can control my actions, but not those of others. Although I’m not going to hide in my home, I don’t want to pick up the virus by being careless. If that means I have to wear a mask, so be it.
Social distancing is another area in which we need to serve as role models.
As Kansas re-opens, it is important that we act with caution. Keeping yourself informed on social distancing practices in each phase is imperative. We all want to be with our friends and family, but let’s avoid the temptation to throw a party and pretend COVID-19 doesn’t exist.
Although many have been following the guidelines, sadly, it has been reported that not all hospital staff have been exhibiting the best behavior.
Again, if people are looking up to us at a time of crisis, we should not send the message that the crisis doesn’t exist. On today's weekly KDHE call, it was reported that an outbreak in Wabaunsee County was traced back to a party!
We should all want to set good examples and serve as role models as we help our patients and communities navigate these tough days
.
— Todd Willert, CEO
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If you are looking for
reliable information on how to disinfect your home
, or if you know others who need help with cleaning and disinfecting businesses or other spaces, the CDC has a great tool.
The text and handout are simple and easy for family members to understand!
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Frankfort home visits in the news
The May 7 edition of Frankfort Area News highlighted the home visit service provided by Jeremy Brandt, PA-C, through the Frankfort Clinic.
The article noted that "local medical clinics and hospitals have been working especially hard to meet the medical needs of their patients and adapt to the new guidelines in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis."
The article noted that patients must meet strict guidelines to make home visits possible. Jeremy said one of the advantages to seeing patients in their homes is "having the ability to identify obstacles that might adversely affect their health and healing."
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Tracking volunteers and donations
Many individuals in our communities have donated items to CHCS.
If you receive donated items, please let Sarah know so CHCS can send appropriate thank-you notes.
When you report the donation, please say exactly what was donated and provide the donor's name and mailing address.
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Here are some examples of the donations we have received.
Right: St. Marys Girl Scouts delivered cookies and a note to thank frontline heroes.
Below and below right:
Talented area seamstresses have continued to donate more homemade masks and gowns.
If you have family members or friends who have sewn masks and could make more, please let them know we can use them!
Bottom:
David and Zennie McClintock (mother of Michelle Blindt) provided a delicious lunch for Holton staff this week.
Bottom right:
Kansas Medical Center sent goodies and an encouraging note to the Holton Clinic.
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Stay informed
Please note the following resources.
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May 11-15 is designated as Nursing Home Week. This week, Alexis Johnson at St. Marys Manor and Shelli Wimberly at Eastridge are taking special care of their staff.
- Monday was a nacho bar because our associates are "Nacho average employees"
- Tuesday was doughnuts and coffee because we "Donut know what we would do without our associates"
- Wednesday was a sandwich bar because "Bar none, our associates are the best"
- Thursday is a candy buffet to celebrate the "sweetest" employees
- Friday will be a pizza party because our associates "Have a pizza of our hearts."
Associates also enjoyed cake because working with them is a piece of cake. (See photos, above.)
The associates at both of our nursing homes are great, and I am so fortunate to be able to work with them. We have a great bunch of people, and they serve our elders very well. It is a heart of service that they come to work with every day.
— Lura Flentie, director of long-term care services
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As part of Nurses Week celebrations, Melissa Talley distributed fun snacks to clinic nurses through the week. One batch of goodies included snack mix made from Joan Henry's famous recipe.
The good news is that Joan agreed to share the recipe with everyone. The bad news is that it's addictive! (Wait, maybe that's also good news ...).
Thank you, Joan!
Chili Cheese Fritos Snack Mix
For mix:
1 bag Chili Cheese Fritos chips
1 bag Fritos Honey Twists
1 box Grooves crackers
2 c pretzel sticks
1 can mixed nuts or dry roasted peanuts (Joan likes peanuts the best)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 c. brown sugar
For coating:
2 sticks butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Combine all ingredients for mix in a stainless steel bowl. Then melt two sticks of real butter in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and remove from heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and stir. Pour over mixture and stir well, then pour onto an 11x12 baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes, stirring after the first 6 minutes. Do not overbake, as the mixture burns easily because of the brown sugar.
Tip from Joan:
Packages of chips and crackers are smaller than they used to be, so you may want to have extra to add if the mix is too greasy for your liking.
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T-shirt deadline: 12 midnight TONIGHT (May 14)
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Order short-sleeved shirts and sporty polos directly from Blue Chip Athletic.
The Gift Shop will NOT be ordering stock at this time, so if you need shirts, now is your chance!
Please note:
- The store closes at midnight TONIGHT, May 14
- Payment is by credit card
- T-shirts are unisex sizes, so women should order a size down; polos come in women's and men's sizes
- Orders should ship approximately two weeks after the store closes; the Gift Shop will receive all orders and send them via courier to your work location
- Items are not returnable to the Gift Shop. The Blue Chip Athletic return policy is at the top of the ordering page, so please be sure to read it.
- Order by clicking the green button below or via this link: https://bit.ly/2WdSLYi
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Welcome
We are happy to have the following associates joining us. Welcome to CHCS!
- Pamela Lacenski, CNA LTC, Eastridge
- Ashlyn Steinlage, CNA LTC, Eastridge
- Andrea Charles, CNA Acute, Onaga
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Mother's Day
Our long-term care and assisted living residents enjoyed
Mother's Day celebrations, social distancing style.
Eastridge recognized the special moms there with cake, punch, and flowers.
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Practice makes perfect!
Redbud residents Gladys Rempe (below left) and Roberta Baumchen (below right) are dusting off their piano skills to keep themselves and others entertained.
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Dog visitors
Alyssa Nider, Eastridge LPN, recently brought her Australian Shepherds (Copper, a mini, and Cami) to visit residents at Eastridge. Everyone enjoyed the snuggles!
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Coffee Shop special
May 18-22
Hawaiian salted caramel latte
, 20 oz., $4
- Salted caramel with Hawaiian pink sea salt
- Hot, iced, or frappe
Coffee Shop and Gift Shop hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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Note: St. Marys menus are changing frequently because of ordering challenges. We will resume publishing menus when we are able. For now, 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 Facebook audience
to
sarahhancock@chcsks.org
. Please send items by close of business on Tuesdays when possible. Ideas are welcome!
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