Stretched thin -- but there's hope! |
|
We knew it was probably coming, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with the current COVID-19 surge. Just about every department has been stretched thin in the past week as we have worked to continue to care for patients and residents despite staffing shortages and full clinics and hospital beds.
Although we expect the next two to three weeks to remain challenging, we do see hopeful signs in the data from other places that the omicron surge will pass fairly soon. Because the variant is so highly contagious, it burns its way through communities quickly, and models are showing that we are either at or near the peak of infections. Hospitalizations tend to lag behind infections, so we aren’t out of the woods yet, but we are at least partway through the darkest part of the journey.
As we continue to navigate a difficult period, we hope you will take advantage of three opportunities this week:
-
If you need a booster or need to start or complete a COVID-19 vaccine series, come to Onaga on Friday, January 21 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. to get your shot. Call Onaga Registration to schedule in advance, or just walk in. Can’t make it? Schedule an appointment at your clinic or visit your pharmacy or public health department to get the vaccine.
-
Wear jeans and support the Chiefs (or the NFL team of your choice) on Friday by wearing a jersey or team shirt.
-
Enjoy a free lunch on Friday at your location courtesy of the Spirit Squad. Each location will be ordering meals for associates.
One new challenge we are encountering is a shortage of testing supplies. We aren’t alone in this, and we hope the situation is temporary, but we have made the decision to stop using antigen tests for asymptomatic individuals who are seeking a test for travel or to return to work/school/daycare. We simply don’t have extra supplies to provide this service right now. We can still offer send-out PCR tests for individuals who need these tests; turnaround time is 24-48 hours. We also may need to revisit our associate testing procedures if supplies become even more scarce. We will work to keep everyone informed as this situation – and many other circumstances – change.
We hope everyone will continue to remain vigilant. Do everything you can to protect yourself both at work and outside of work. Stay home if you are sick, and report illnesses to your manager. Work with Employee Health to get tested and to follow rules for isolation and quarantine, then come back when you are cleared. Know that it takes all of us working together to get through this.
Thank you for all you are doing to care for patients and residents in a difficult time. You should feel proud of yourselves for continuing to do your best. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. If there’s something more CHCS can do to provide support or if you have an idea for spirit-lifting activities, please let us know via email at info@chcsks.org.
-- Todd Willert, CEO
|
|
Delivering the WOW experience
Since the end of December, our hospital has given more than 60 doses of monoclonal antibodies. As these medications have become scarce, we have also started administering outpatient Remdesivir. In both cases, CHCS was an early adopter of treatments to help keep patients out of the hospital.
Many people of worked to deliver the WOW experience for patients. Pharmacy and providers have worked on order sets. Nurses have stepped up to help administer outpatient medications. Access Services has been instrumental in coordinating the services between multiple departments and getting the patient scheduled within the optimal treatment window.
As we've seen hospital beds fill, we've been truly grateful for all of the associates who have helped CHCS deliver these important treatments. It hasn't been easy, and we appreciate your hard work!
|
|
Home COVID-19 tests available for order
Free at-home COVID-19 tests are available for order from www.covidtests.gov. Simply visit the site and enter your name and address.
- Each household is limited to one order
- Each order contains 4 at-home tests
- The tests are free, and there is no charge for shipping
- Tests will ship starting in late January
|
|
Holton Clinic offers Spanish interpreter |
|
When you need medical care, you may not be feeling your best. Even under ideal circumstances, you may have trouble remembering everything your healthcare provider tells you. Now imagine navigating an office visit or even having a baby when you don’t speak the language. Scary, right?
Community HealthCare System is hoping to help patients in that situation feel more at ease. The Holton Clinic now offers translation services for Spanish-speaking patients Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Teresa Miller will serve as an in-person interpreter as needed, plus she will assist Spanish-speaking mothers when they deliver babies at the CHCS Birth Center at Onaga Community Hospital. (Click the flyer above to expand, or view the English version.)
Miller began speaking Spanish when she was about 10 years old so she could communicate with family members. She grew up in Topeka and attended Highland Park High School. Teresa and her family, including husband Andrew Miller and sons Miguel, Samuel, and Abel, moved to Onaga in 2016 so their children would have a good place to grow up. After working in food service at Topeka High School, she started working at Onaga Community Hospital in the Dietary Department, working her way up to Dietary manager. During her time in Dietary, Miller met Birth Center Manager and Registered Nurse Katie Kufahl. Kufahl needed help with a patient who was in labor and asked Miller for her help, which started her journey toward a new position as an interpreter.
|
|
Apply for a Healthworks scholarship |
|
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!
Awards will be given in the following categories:
- Undergraduate Health Care
- Undergraduate Nursing
- Advanced Clinical Practice
- Health Care Administration
- Human Resources
|
|
Blood supplies are low. You can help!
Remember to bring a photo ID or donor ID card. Thank you for helping save lives by giving blood!
|
|
|
Welcome to CHCS!
We are happy to have the following associates join us. Welcome, all!
-
Marty Ellis, RN, Acute
-
Nicolle Barth, CNA/CMA, Acute/Redbud
-
Elizabeth Bunel, CNA, St. Marys Manor
-
Stephanie Duncan, RN, Clinics
-
Kailee Dorsey, Dietary Aide, Onaga
|
|
|
|
|
If you visit the Business Office in Onaga, you will have the chance to meet another new face: Gus. Gus, a crocheted goat, is the office mascot. He was made by Skyler Baake as a birthday gift for Kaylee LaMastus.
Gus will soon have special holiday outfits to wear. Welcome, Gus!
|
|
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 21.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Coffee Shop Special
January 24-28
Grasshopper latte
- Chocolate and creme de menthe
-
16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
|
|
|
|
New in the Gift Shop:
Chiefs earrings!
Get ready to support Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday. Beat the Bills!
p.s. Need snacks for your watch party? We have great dip mixes.
|
|
CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
|
|
I'm so glad it snowed.
I haven't socialized this much in months!
|
|
Editor's note: Thanks to Lura Flentie, director of long-term care services, for submitting this week's cartoon.
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
