During the last week of January, National CRNA Week recognizes Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and their commitment to patient safety.
Each year, CRNAs provide more than 49 million services across the country. They work in surgery centers, dental and ophthalmology offices, pain management facilities, and hospitals.
Some of the services nurse anesthetists provide include:
- reviewing patients’ medical histories for allergies or illnesses, thus ensuring safe and effective pain management
- administering anesthesia during procedures
- monitoring patients’ vital signs during procedures
- epidurals, spinal, and nerve blocks
- ensuring patients understand the side effects of anesthesia
The services of a CRNA are invaluable to both patients and providers. In rural areas, CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care.
|
|
Thank you to the amazing CRNAs at CHCS! They are Scott McCormick (below left), Rebecca Kramer (below right), and Sam Jeffers (bottom left). Rick Abbott (bottom right) will be joining us in February. Welcome, Rick!
|
|
Vaccine mandate update
As previously communicated, healthcare facilities are now required to comply with the CMS vaccine mandate. New dates for compliance have been published. All associates will need to have their first vaccine or an approved medical or religious exemption by February 14, 2022. By March 15, 2022 associates must have completed all necessary doses to complete the vaccination series. At this point, the mandate does not require a booster dose; however, mandates are constantly changing. If the mandate changes, we will let you know.
|
|
Insurance coverage for COVID-19 tests
Coverage for approved over-the-count (OTC) COVID-19 tests became effective January 15, 2022 and will be in effect until the end of the federal public health emergency. The new OTC coverage:
- Allows consumers with commercial health coverage to seek reimbursement, up to $12.00, from their commercial health plan for OTC tests they purchase online or in person without direct involvement of a healthcare provider.
- Allows for up to eight OTC tests per covered individual per 30 days. Any tests purchased pursuant to a physician's order will not be subject to the quantity limit.
- Plans are only required to cover tests intended for diagnosis or treatment. Coverage of routine screenings for employment, school or recreational purposes will continue to be excluded.
|
|
Lunch!
Associates around the system enjoyed free lunch last Friday, January 21, courtesy of the CHCS Spirit Squad. Photos from St. Marys and Onaga are below. Thanks to everyone for your hard work through a busy and sometimes difficult few weeks!
|
|
National “Wear Red Day” is approaching: Mark your calendar for February 4, 2022.
As a part of National Heart Month, the American Heart Association (AHA) seeks to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease in women. Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, accounting for 1 in 3 deaths?
Healthy lifestyle can make a difference in the development of heart disease. Lifestyle changes that make a difference include the following:
- Don’t smoke
- Manage your blood sugar
- Maintain control of blood pressure
- Lower your cholesterol
- Be informed of your family history and risk
- Stay active
- Lose or maintain a healthy weight
- Eat healthy
CHCS encourages you to review your risk factors and seek assistance from your healthcare provider to learn ways to achieve a healthy lifestyle aimed at managing and/or preventing cardiovascular risk.
The LiveWell committee challenges everyone to participate in Wear Red Day. Wear your most elaborate red attire on Friday, February 4, and Go Red for Women!
-
Send a selfie or group photo of associates wearing red to info@chcsks.org to be entered in a "Go Red" prize drawing for red items from the CHCS Gift Shop. (If you submit group photos, be sure to provide all names for the drawing.)
- Photos due by Monday, February 7 at 9 a.m.
|
|
Zero deficiency survey alert!
|
|
Please join us in congratulating Onaga Lab for a zero-deficiency survey. Great job!
Thank you to Eduardo and his excellent team for all of their hard work. This is quite an accomplishment in what has been a challenging environment.
|
|
Help a colleague
Please mark your calendar for a fundraiser for Jeanne and Steve DeVader. Jeanne has worked in registration at St. Marys for more than 20 years. Her husband, Steve, is fighting esophageal cancer.
A pulled pork dinner and silent auction benefit for the DeVaders will be held Sunday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church Centennial Building.
Volunteers and silent auction donations are needed. Please contact Julia Ingwerson for details. An account has also been established at Bank of the Flint Hills to help the family with medical bills.
|
|
|
Classroom to Career
CHCS is now participating in the Classroom to Career program. The program entails visiting fourth grade students to talk about careers in their area and is administered through the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. CHCS learned about it through a Pottawatomie County Economic Development/Wamego Area Chamber presentation at a Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce meeting.
A number of CHCS associates are scheduled to visit Onaga fourth graders this semester. The first presentation was made this week by IT Director Dom Freeman and Network Administrator Kiefer Delforge. Dom and Kiefer discussed what it means to work in information technology and how computers and networks function -- plus they took some equipment for the students to examine and take apart.
Our hope in participating in the program is to help students understand the range of opportunities and different jobs available in healthcare. Thank you to Dom and Kiefer for starting us off!
|
|
|
Here's to our associates with February birthdays. Join us in wishing them all the best as they celebrate!
Allison Perry, Kandi Gosvener, Marcy Evans, Heather Sergent, Brock Wedman, Katie Kufahl, Siena Watts, Claire Blumer, Caroline Cain, Karlee Montgomery, Jenna Sauer, Meranda Schmitz, Matthew Stallbaumer, Sheila Talley, Jennifer Hutfles, Maria Landolfi, Jeremy Brandt, Lucy Harpe, Stacey Pearl, Monica Holthaus, Britney Hudon, Haley Bonilla, Krista Childs, Matthew Salerno, Lura Flentie, Laura Geist, Beth Pagel, Kelly Schmelzle, Mary Schwan, Nikke Marten, Christy McDaris, David Allen, Mollie Hiltibrand, Suzanne Lundberg, Kathryn Elliott, Donald Leger
|
|
|
Important reminders
-
Jeans are allowed on Fridays through the end of February--no payment necessary. No rips or holes, please! Support the NFL team of your choice (ahem, GO CHIEFS!) on Friday, January 28.
-
Any individual who is currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited Kansas school for health care is invited to apply for a Kansas Hospital Association Healthworks Scholarship. Preference is given to current hospital employees, particularly those working in a hospital that is licensed for 25 or fewer acute beds. Our own Alexis Whorton was a 2021 scholarship recipient! Find more information. Applications are due March 4.
|
|
|
|
Coffee Shop Special
January 31-February 4
Fluffernutter latte
- Peanut butter and toasted marshmallow
-
16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
|
|
|
|
Show them some love
Need to show someone some love on Valentine's Day? The Gift Shop is now taking flower pre-orders! Orders placed by noon Feb. 10 will be ready for pickup on Feb. 11; orders placed by noon Feb. 11 will be available for pickup on Feb. 14. Click the flyer at left to expand.
|
|
Flowers not your thing? We have helium balloons and balloon bouquets, small helium balloons with candy, fine Abdallah chocolates, Duke Cannon and Natural Inspirations bath/body products, jewelry, and more!
|
|
New in the Gift Shop
Take a look at our fun new purses and tote bags from Viv & Lou!
We are fully stocked for your football watch parties. Take home some Raven's Originals black bean salsa, or make delicious cream cheese spread with the fruity jalapeno jam of your choice. Carmie's Kitchen dips are also restocked, including the popular Manana Mexican flavor. Yum!
|
|
CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge
|
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
|
|
|
Someone left a nice surprise on the Onaga vending machine! What a great way to spread a little kindness and make people smile.
|
|
Editor's note: Thanks to Mindy Olberding, CNO, for the top meme.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|