"Don't forget about all our successes!" |
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Due to the difficulty we currently have with a frequent inability to transfer Emergency Department (ED) or hospitalized patients, it is easy to focus on theoretical worst possible situations. Wondering about various "what-if" scenarios can be quite anxiety-provoking. Many of us hear about the difficult cases, but I don't hear much discussion about our successes, and we need to be reminded of those. Don't forget that we can still transfer traumas, STEMIs, strokes, and pediatrics, and that ED-to-ED transfers can often be coordinated for other cases, too.
But, you know what? We can handle the vast majority of what walks in our doors. Yes, we don't have most specialties, but think of everything else we can take care of! We have extremely capable nurses, in whom we have 100% confidence. Recently we were forced to keep a critically ill patient in hemorrhagic shock from a GI bleed. Well, that patient got better and went home because of the care she received at CHCS. And, the same day, a hypoxic out-of-state patient was brought to our ED (despite never previously receiving care here) because he "heard good things about the Onaga Hospital." Two days later, following a successful recovery, before leaving he scheduled a follow-up appointment. He was so satisfied with his nursing care while in the hospital, he is changing his health care provider to come back here despite living out-of-state!
We may not have an ICU, but our nurses our certainly ICU-quality. Our doctors and providers are also top-notch. Our hospital will continue to look for ways to expand services and improve care. Yes, due to the current situation, we have rough waters ahead. Have some confidence in the high quality of care we provide and don't forget about all our successes!
--Dr. Marcus Weiser
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Updated travel quarantine info
Please be aware that travel guidance could change quickly and note that individuals who are fully vaccinated and boosted are not required to quarantine after travel to locations on the list. Individuals who have not received all recommended vaccine doses ARE required to quarantine, including those who are fully vaccinated but have not received a booster. (Those who are still within the recommended window following their second dose do not need to quarantine.) Learn more.
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We are a little past the New Year, but it's not too late to make an important New Year's resolution to do everything you can to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Clean your hands
- Stay home if you are sick!
CHCS has 36 associates out, 19 of whom are positive for COVID-19. These numbers continue to fluctuate. Several departments are teetering on the edge of having no staff. It won't take much more illness to force us to close departments!
If you are identified as a close contact to someone who has tested positive, either your manager or Employee Health will notify you. Please take all available precautions, and please be diligent about wearing your mask.
--Christina Hasenkamp, Employee Health Nurse
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McDaris named St. Marys Clinic lead nurse |
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CHCS has named Christy McDaris, LPN, as lead nurse at the St. Marys Clinic.
According to Merica Surdez, chief of provider and clinic operations, McDaris is an ideal fit.
“Christy is always kind, has a positive attitude, and is a hard worker. I’m excited that she has accepted this role and look forward to watching her grow,” Surdez said.
McDaris was born in Bakersfield, California, and moved to Westmoreland in 1990. She graduated from Rock Creek High School in 1994 and completed her Licensed Practical Nurse certification at Manhattan Area Technical College in 2003.
McDaris has 30 years of experience in healthcare, including 11 years as a CNA and 19 years as an LPN. She has worked as a family practice clinic nurse for the past 11 years. She enjoys serving as an advocate for patients and co-workers, and she likes working in a rural community.
“I love being a nurse because it is so rewarding to make a difference in someone’s life,” McDaris said.
Outside of work, McDaris enjoys gardening and landscaping and spending time with family, including her husband, Todd, three daughters (Heidi, age 26; Taylor, age 24; and Megan, age 21), and her granddaughter (age 4). Another granddaughter will be arriving this spring. (In the photo above, McDaris is on the left.)
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Our Birth Center welcomed the first baby of 2022 on Saturday, January 8 at 11:13 a.m. Jackson Joseph Greene was born to proud parents Travis and Jill Greene of Havensville. (Jill is also a CHCS associate, which makes this extra special! She works in Human Resources.)
Jackson was 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 19.5 inches long. He was welcomed home by two older brothers, Jameson (age 5) and Judson (age 3). His paternal grandparents are Rusty Greene of Topeka and Debe Greene, who lives in Arkansas. Maternal grandparents are Ross and Debbie Manuel of Havensville. Jackson’s paternal great grandmother is Doris Greene of Topeka. Jackson and his family received gifts from local businesses and from CHCS.
Congratulations, all!
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Because healthcare workers must wash their hands frequently they sometimes get dry, cracked or red skin that can also be painful. This is known as cumulative irritant contact dermatitis— resulting largely from the frequent hand washing required to reduce the spread of germs and prevent infections.
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Maintaining healthy hands is extremely important and is a barrier to infection, whereas compromised skin is vulnerable to the pathogens prevalent in healthcare facilities. The physical structure of dry, cracked skin makes it easier for pathogenic organisms to take up permanent residence. Regular, scheduled use of a hospital-grade hand cream or lotion is the key to maintaining healthy skin and can have an important impact on patient care.
Cavilon lotion is available for order from Central Supply. It works well and is compatible with gloves and hand sanitizer. It’s the best thing for healthcare workers to use!
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Updated pay codes
The transition to our new payroll system is complete, and you may notice new pay codes in UKG or on pay stubs. Click the button below to view or download/print the codes for reference.
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Friday jeans
The Greater Giving Jeans for a Cause program expired at the end of 2021. The COVID-19 situation is leaving all of us in need of some comfort, so CHCS will allow associates to wear jeans on Fridays through the end of February -- no payment necessary! Please be sure jeans do not have rips or holes.
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Help a colleague
Jeanne DeVader works in registration at St. Marys, and she celebrated 20 years with CHCS in November. Her husband, Steve, has been self-employed for more than 47 years doing HVAC in the area, but he has esophageal cancer and is currently unable to work because of his chemo treatments. Steve is scheduled for a PET scan in the next couple of weeks, and they are hopeful he can have surgery to remove the cancer by the end of the month.
An account has been established at Bank of the Flint Hills to assist Jeanne and Steve with medical bills. If you'd like to help, please contact the bank or stop by a branch to contribute. A soup supper is also being planned for February. Contact Julia Ingwerson for details.
Thank you for helping co-workers in their time of need!
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Important reminders
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All CHCS associates are invited to complete a brief, confidential workplace well-being survey to help the Livewell Committee promote a healthy workplace for all. Take the survey by January 14 at 5:00 p.m. To be entered in a prize drawing for a gift basket from the CHCS Coffee and Gift Shop, send an email to news@chcsks.org with the subject line "Livewell drawing." In the text of the email, tell us what question 23 of the survey asks. (No need to tell us your answer!)
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Thanks to all who helped celebrate Dr. Tom's retirement last week. If you missed it or want to hear parts again, links to videos are below, and many more photos are available on the CHCS Facebook page.
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A special thanks goes to our Maintenance and EVS crews for their help with setup and cleanup. We particularly admired the ingenuity of our Maintenance team for fabricating the coat racks for guests to use (see photo at right). Thank you!
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Coffee Shop Special
January 17-21
Vanilla berry latte
- Vanilla and raspberry
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16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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New items in the Gift Shop
- Single-serving cake-in-a-mug mixes
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Beer bread mixes (just add beer!)
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K-State, KU, and Fort Hays door mats and photo clip frames
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New Duke Cannon products for men
Clearance is ongoing--many items are 50% off!
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CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Editor's note: Thanks Lisa McGowan in the Business Office for submitting the top cartoon.
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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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