Happy Halloween!
Please take a moment to review a few reminders before the big day on Monday.
|
|
-
We want photos! If your location or department participates in community trick-or-treat events or other Halloween festivities, please send photos to Sarah Hancock for the E-Connection and social media.
-
Costumes 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. Questions? Contact Cindy Flentie at cindyflentie@chcsks.org or extension 5026.
-
Onaga will host a Trick-or-Treat Trail outside of Redbud Plaza Assisted Living again this year. Departments are invited to decorate a table; candy will be provided. The event is 4:30 to 5:30. Check your email for details. It's not too late to sign up, but please do so ASAP!
|
|
Be the change:
Support mental health and Damon's Purpose
|
|
A new report by Mental Health America tracked mental illness and the ease of accessing care. The report found that Kansas was in LAST PLACE in the country because of high rates of addiction among young people and high rates of mental illness and suicidal thoughts among adults. Lack of access to care is also an urgent issue in our state.
We see the signs of stress and the need for mental health care in our communities every day, and so do our colleagues at Sabetha Community Hospital, Holton Community Hospital, and Nemaha Valley Community Hospital & Seneca Family Practice. That's why our four hospitals are joining forces to support Damon's Purpose, a grassroots organization that is working to promote mental health in our area.
Damon's Purpose was started by Brenda Quigley, RN at CHCS, in memory of her son, Damon Lucas Quigley. Damon died by suicide at age 14 after struggling silently. Damon's Purpose is devoted to encouraging openness, fostering compassion and empathy, striving to end stigma, and advocating for suicide awareness and prevention.
We're proud to announce a special fundraiser for Damon's Purpose, plus a friendly competition among four hospitals. You can participate in two ways.
|
|
Option 1: Order a special T-shirt by the end of the day Monday, October 31! (Yes, the turnaround is SHORT!)
- Shirt designs (front) and colors are pictured above; back of shirt with all four logos is pictured at right
- Cost is $20
- Shirts are the same brand as CHCS T-shirts, so sizing is the same
- Orders are available ONLY online: click the button below to order.
- Be sure to choose our hospital code from the drop-down menu when you order so CHCS gets credit
|
|
Option 2: Be the change by giving your spare change.
- Change containers will be available at all locations November 14-17
- Contribute change, bills, or even checks made out to Damon's Purpose
- We will collect change containers and count change on November 18
|
|
|
|
A traveling trophy is at stake! The hospital that raises the most per capita will win the competition. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 21. |
|
Reminder: Fall 2022 DAISY Award will be announced tomorrow (October 28) at 8:45 a.m.! |
|
Join us Friday, October 28 in the Onaga Community Hospital lobby or on Facebook Live as we recognize our fall 2022 DAISY Award nominees and announce the winner.
Please note a slightly adjusted time of 8:45 a.m. for the ceremony.
Congratulations to these excellent nominees:
-
Danielle Baxter, RN, Onaga Clinic
-
Jody Becker, RN, Onaga Acute
-
Tiffany Ronnebaum, RN, Acute Charge Nurse, Trauma Coordinator
-
Marie Wessel, RN, Onaga Acute
-
Alexis Whorton, RN and Community HomeHealth Manager
See you there!
|
|
Celebrate Respiratory Care Week! |
|
Respiratory Care Week is October 24-30. Take a moment to thank the great CHCS respiratory therapy team!
Our Registered Respiratory Therapists, or RRTs, are (pictured L to R in photo below):
- Michelle Budreau
- April Wesley
- Troy Myers
- Kas Winegarden
|
|
- RRTs cover inpatient needs for breathing treatments, inhalers, home CPAP, education, Vapotherm setup, ventilator and BiPAP, and ABG draws.
- RRTs also do outpatient pulmonary function testing, home sleep studies, Holter monitor setup and downloads, nocturnal oxygen studies, exercise oxygen studies, education, and 6-minute walk tests.
- Our RRTs were instrumental in helping CHCS offer a Pulmonary Rehab Program.
- Through Community Home Care Equipment, April offers oxygen, portable systems, nebulizers, CPAP and BiPAP machines, and much more to help patients care for themselves at home.
|
|
What do you know about Respiratory Therapy? Click the button to take our quiz!
The top scorers will be entered in a drawing to win the prize pictured at left, including tea that acts as a natural bronchodilator, honey for coughs, and a lung stress ball. Take the quiz by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 2.
|
|
October 29 is World Stroke Day |
|
We often invoke sayings about the importance of time: time is of the essence, time flies, and time is money. When someone has a stroke, taking quick action can improve survival rates and outcomes, so it’s worth taking a little time to understand the warning signs and what to do when you or a loved one experience them.
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked or ruptures, causing brain cells to die. The American Stroke Association lists several symptoms to know, including sudden experience of numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech; trouble seeing in one or both eyes; trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination; and severe headache with no known cause.
To remember stroke symptoms, think of the acronym BE FAST, which stands for Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, and Time. It’s easy to write off problems as temporary, and many people tend to take a “wait-and-see” attitude toward symptoms. But seconds and minutes count, and healthcare providers have better options now than in the past to help minimize the damage from a stroke.
“Prompt recognition and evaluation is the most important aspect of stroke care. If a stroke is suspected, patients should immediately seek care at the closest emergency department,” said Dr. Marcus Weiser, Family Medicine Physician and Stroke Program Medical Director at CHCS.
Acting quickly when someone has a stroke can drastically affect quality of life later.
“Time is brain, and minutes matter since earlier treatment has a significant impact on neurological outcomes,” Dr. Weiser said.
|
|
Want a lighter take? Watch the video below to remember Face-Arm-Speech-Time.
|
|
Delivering the WOW experience |
|
Michelle Blindt, Holton Clinic RN, recently took time to share a WOW experience. She wrote:
"A sick preschool-age girl came to Saturday clinic at Holton Family Health Center. We needed to complete some tests, and she was scared and anxious. She cried out for the comfort of a stuffed animal, and there was none to be found by mom, grandma, or staff. Enter in, Krista Childs in Registration! She whipped up a makeshift Halloween-inspired "stuffed" ghost. The child was comforted, and mom was overwhelmed with tears of gratefulness."
|
|
|
|
Krista is pictured at left with the ghostly friend she created for the upset young patient.
Thank you for your kindness, Krista! You delivered the WOW experience. Thank you to Michelle for taking time the share!
**********************************
Have you seen a co-worker deliver the WOW experience? Email it to Sarah Hancock or call extension 5133.
|
|
Congratulations to CMA Paula Schwartz! |
|
Paula Schwartz, Redbud CMA, was awarded Honorable Mention in the Nurse Aide - CNA or CMA of the Year award category at the recent Kansas Health Care Association and Kansas Center for Assisted Living 72nd Annual Convention & Trade Show.
Jane McClain, LPN and Redbud Lead Nurse, nominated Schwartz for the award because of the love she shows to Redbud residents. "She provides great care for residents and goes above and beyond to ensure that their needs are met. The residents feel like they are well taken care of when Paula is here," McClain said.
Congratulations, Paula!
Thanks for all you do for our residents.
|
|
Join a Zoom to learn more about our EAP |
|
An all-associate Zoom meeting about our Employee Assistance Program has been rescheduled for November 10 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.
The meeting will include a brief presentation from VITAL WorkLife staff and time for questions. We'll provide a link in next week's E-Connection and a reminder email that morning.
Mark your calendar for the meeting! In the meantime, learn more about the program on our website. Questions? Contact Human Resources.
|
|
Reminder: Apply for Wish List by Monday! |
|
CHCS departments, long-term care units, and clinics may apply for small grants from the Greater Giving Wish List fund to meet program or patient needs that emerge after budgets are established or for needs that budgets have not been able to accommodate.
-
Applications and guidelines are available in PowerDMS.
- The deadline to apply is October 31.
- Remember that your manager and director must approve the request.
|
|
State Senator O'Shea visits Onaga Chamber |
|
Onaga Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Senator Kristen O'Shea at its October meeting earlier this month. CHCS was happy to host the meeting along with lunch for the group. Because of redistricting, Senator O'Shea now represents all of Pottawatomie County. She led a lively discussion session for all who attended.
|
|
We are happy to have the following associates join us. Welcome to CHCS!
-
Zoey Murphy, Dietary Aide, St. Marys Manor
-
Christopher Peters, Dietary Aide, Onaga
-
Monique Allen, RN, Onaga Acute
-
Sara Dirks, Speech Therapist, Rehab
|
|
Here's to our associates with November birthdays. Join us in wishing them all the best as they celebrate!
Michael Bomberger, Alycea Lakin, Hali Brown, Vicky Frost, Amber McDaris, Nadja Roberts, Taylor Talley, Troy Myers, Janet Haug, Joanie Hosfelt, Chelsea Dillon, Lisa Thomas, Karen Johnson, Emily Ronnebaum, Amanda Norris, Katelynn Montgomery, Annie Crumbaker, Marcus Weiser, Sophia Dowd, Donna Jewell, Chelsey Glatczak, Holly Haufler, Michele Reisinger, Halie Jeanneret, Sondra Owings-Priest, Paula Bryan, Brenda Quigley
|
|
Important reminders and community events
-
Give blood in St. Marys: A Community Blood Drive is planned for Friday, October 28 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at the Centennial Building, Immaculate Conception Church, 208 W. Bertrand Ave. Book your appointment at savealifenow.org/group and enter Group Code TPJB. Questions? Call or email John Simecka, 785-213-0567.
-
Relias courses have been assigned and are available now. All courses must be completed by December 15. Access Relias from the For Associates page of our website. The login page includes a password recovery option. If you need help, please contact HR.
|
|
Coffee and Gift Shop Delights |
|
 |
Special
October 31-November 4:
Sticky candy latte
- Salted caramel and almond
-
16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
We have hot cider on Fridays!
|
|
|
|
Shop our pre-holiday clearance sale!
It's that magical time of year when we prepare to transform the Gift Shop in a delightful holiday wonderland. Help us clear out some inventory so we have less to store!
Everything in the Gift Shop will be 30% off until we close to prepare for the holiday open house.
Exceptions: CHCS apparel, Coffee Shop drinks and snacks, new merchandise on the black table, medicines, and Biofreeze & Sombra.
Coming next week: Thanksgiving centerpiece preorders and a schedule for the holiday open house and shopping hours during the festive season ahead.
|
|
CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
