COVID-19 booster shot FAQ
Thanks to all who took time to submit questions about the COVID-19 booster shots that are now approved for certain individuals who have completed a series of Pfizer vaccine more than six months ago. The groups approved to receive the booster include healthcare workers.
Thank you to Dr. Nick Cahoj and Jeremy Brandt, PA, for taking time to answer questions submitted by associates. Please click the green button below to view the FAQ. The PDF can be downloaded and printed for those who need to read it offline.
Associates who completed the Pfizer series more than six months ago and who would like to receive a booster dose should call one of our clinics to schedule an appointment.
Please note that CHCS will bill insurance, but associates will not incur out-of-pocket expenses for COVID-19 vaccines.
|
|
COVID-19 plan is published in PowerDMS
Employee Health has published the CHCS COVID-19 plan as required by OSHA. The plan covers what CHCS has done and continues to do to protect our staff from the spread of COVID-19.
|
|
Thank you, food service team! |
|
October 3-9 is National Healthcare Food Service Week!
If you see any of our fabulous food service associates this week, please be sure to thank them for preparing delicious meals for our patients, residents, and associates.
We are grateful for this team's hard work, dedication, and flexibility through COVID-19 changes and supply chain disruptions. THANK YOU for taking care of us!
|
|
October Specialty Clinic Provider of the Month: Dr. John P. Devine |
|
Dr. Devine provides general urology care for adults and children in Onaga two days each month. Dr. Devine assists patients in managing diseases of the urinary tract, including the kidneys and adrenal glands, bladder, ureters, the prostate in men, and more. He manages all aspects of urologic care, including prescribing medications and performing surgical procedures when necessary.
|
|
Breast Cancer Awareness Month |
|
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it's the perfect time to encourage your friends and family members to get a mammogram.
All 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.
|
|
|
Celebrating Vascular Access Specialty Day |
|
The Association for Vascular Access, or AVA, recognized October 5 as Vascular Access Specialty Day. With the increasing needs of patients in the last year, CHCS had three nurses receive specialized training in vascular access. These nurses can place peripherally inserted central venous catheters, or PICC lines, midlines, and ultrasound guided IVs.
Having these specialized skills here at CHCS means that we can better serve our patients and communities. Prior to the training, patients would have to wait many hours and often come in during the late evening times to have a PICC line placed. Now, we can place PICC lines more readily for both our inpatients and those who need outpatient care such as long-term IV antibiotics.
AVA's theme this year for Vascular Access Specialty Day is “Skills, Knowledge, Compassion.” Our Vascular Access nurses exemplify this theme each day.
To help support the program, CHCS recently purchased a new ultrasound device that will not only help with vascular access but will also be used in other departments like OB and orthopedics, too. Above is a photo of our three vascular access nurses, RNs Christine Merriman, Ashley Bean, and Bailey Tucker. Thank you for your fabulous work!
--Mindy Olberding, chief nursing officer
|
|
Join a stress relief walk on Oct. 27 |
|
Plan to join the Mental Health Committee's Fall Stress Relief Walk on October 27! Associates will be encouraged to "tag someone" to go for a short 5- to 10-minute stress relief walk during their workday.
All locations are participating in this event, and CHCS will provide a handout with stress relief strategies and a small treat (an individual serving of hot apple cider mix) for associates who participate. We hope everyone will take a mental health minute to reflect on all the positive aspects of our workplace, what we do for others, and how much of a difference we are making in this world!
Thank you to the location leads that will be assisting in this event and reminding everyone to take part:
-
Onaga: Liz Murphy and Lacey Niehues
-
Frankfort: Lyndsi Morton and Denise Fritz
-
St. Marys: Vicky Hurla and Shannon Heim
-
Centralia: Shelli Wimberly and Jennifer Traxler
-
Holton: Kim Lovvorn
-
Westmoreland: Mary Budenbender
|
|
Here's how you can participate:
-
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 by 5:00 p.m. October 27. WE WILL HAVE PRIZES FOR THE BEST TABLE DECORATIONS AND THE BEST COSTUME!
-
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, please!
-
If you have trick-or-treaters in your family, bring them and have a great time!
What about other locations?
Some other locations host school groups or other local trick-or-treaters or plan other special events. Let us know what your location has planned! Be sure to take photos and send them to news@chcsks.org or to Sarah Hancock.
If you need candy for Halloween events and have not already requested it, contact Sarah.
|
|
|
|
P.S. Can I dress up for Halloween at work?
Associates are allowed to wear costumes provided they have the approval of their manager or director and the costumes are not violent or offensive. Costumes must adhere to the dress code and should not include fake blood or weapons or incite controversy.
|
|
Fill out a mental health survey from HINK
CHCS is a member of the Health Innovations Network of Kansas, or HINK. HINK has received a federal grant to develop the HINK Suicide Prevention and Improvement Network, or SPIN. An important first step is gathering information through a survey to help HINK members better understand the mental health issues that are affecting residents in the region.
We hope you'll support the survey by filling it out and by sharing it with your family, friends, and neighbors in northeast and north central Kansas. Click on the flyer to expand, download, and print/share, or be on the lookout for social media posts from CHCS to share.
|
|
Important reminders
-
The deadline for CHCS associates to receive a flu shot is October 29, 2021. Find flu shot clinic dates. Please have your flu shot consent and annual health assessment completed before you arrive. These documents are in Public Folders > Employee Health > Influenza or in PowerDMS (search for Flu Vaccination & Health Assessment). Note: Your friendly Employee Health nurses will give you candy! And a sticker!
|
|
|
 |
October 11-15
Hot apple cider
- Cinnamon and cider
-
16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
|
|
|
|
October 18-22
Pumpkindoodle
- Pumpkin, cheesecake, and cinnamon brown sugar
-
16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
|
|
|
|
|
|
New in the Gift Shop: PhD Pottery made in Manhattan, KS! Come and take a look a beautiful handmade mugs, bowls, olive oil jars, and more. "While she studied, he made pottery."
The Gift Shop will be OPEN 6:30 to 11:00 a.m. for the Health Fair on Saturday, October 9!
|
|
CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
View menus for
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
