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OUR MISSION:
To Enrich the Health and Lives
of the People We Serve
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Living the CHCS Mission
We recently had a patient who was an elopement risk, (at risk of leaving the facility without notifying anyone or being medically cleared.)
Knowing this and trying to soothe the patient, Laurie Horgan, Dietary Aide, went above and beyond and made the patient cookies. After this kind and simple gesture, the patient was calm and less agitated.
Thank you, Laurie for living our mission and enriching this patient's life and making her feel good about her hospital stay!
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Therapy Staff Praised
Elaine Rethman shared comments from a patient's daughter-in-law who had high praise for the therapy staff.
The family member stated, therapy has been awesome, "so much better than (the previous facility)."
It's nice to have family note the hard work of staff.
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Way to go team!! Thanks to all that provided therapy care to this patient!
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Clinics Recognized as
Patient Centered Medical Homes
How do you know our clinics are dedicated to patient-centered care? For the 6th consecutive year our Centralia, Frankfort, Holton, Onaga, St. Marys and Westmoreland Clinics, have been recognized as a Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH). We were notified of this outstanding achievement on September 25th.
"I am so proud and happy for our six clinics for their dedication to our patients. says Manda Thompson, Quality Specialist and PCMH Coordinator for CHCS. They make my job of submitting our data to NCQA easy. We are getting credit for all the GREAT work we already do!"
According to the National Council for Quality Assurance (NCQA), PCMHs improve quality and the patient experience, and increase staff satisfaction. Organizations that earn PCMH recognitions have made a commitment to continuous quality improvement and a patient-centered approach to care.
One goal of communities, families, and friends looking for medical care in this region is a healthcare system that puts the patient at the center of that care. At Community HealthCare System, we strive to bring healthcare to the people in our rural communities through accessibility, continuity, lab and diagnostic testing and referrals close-to-home. This not only helps our communities, friends, and families stay current on their care, but also helps us to better serve them and improve their quality of life.
Patient Centered Medical Home is not a physical "home", but a healthcare delivery model. CHCS clinics work to make sure patients have access to care when they need it and work together with their primary care team. We follow-up on Emergency room visits and Inpatient hospital stays, assist in getting patients referred to specialists, and provide access to routine testing like labs and imagining. We monitor our quality outcomes in preventative medicine (Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening), Chronic Conditions (focusing on Depression, Diabetes, Heart Failure and Hypertension), Continuity of Care (Accuracy in Medication Reconciliation) and Acute illnesses (like acute pharyngitis and upper respiratory infections). In 2022, CHCS was above the Centers for Medicare Services (CMS) average scoring in all areas; Colorectal Cancer Screening, Breast Cancer Screening, Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccines, Documentation of Medication, Diabetes Poor Control and Appropriate Testing for Children with Pharyngitis. We also focus on helping our patients set goals to improve quality of life by managing their chronic conditions and developing healthier lifestyle habits.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the clinic staff that help in making this a success!
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NEW EMPLOYEES
Cassidy Eisenbarth - RN - RN Clinic Onaga - Float
Bob Garcia - Patient Transportation/Courier - Onaga
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Upcoming Birthdays!
Eduardo Bertulfo: Onaga/Laboratory-10/6
Dominic Freeman: Onaga/IT-10/7
Deborah Cain: St. Marys Manor -10/7
McKenzie Davis: St. Marys/Registration-10/7
Kaylee LaMastus: Onaga/Business Office-10/9
Margaret Johannes: Onaga/Coffee Shop-10/11
Gavin Kolterman: Onaga/Dietary-10/12
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St. Mary's rehab would like to thank Roger McAsey for his hard work and commitment to patient and staff safety.
Several months ago, Steve Land and Linda Christen in St. Mary's, reached out regarding the condition of their therapy clinic parallel bars. The parallel bars were deemed unsafe by Roger as there were several bolts that had been stripped out. The purchase of a new set of bars was discussed, but due to cost, it was placed on hold.
After some local research, Roger was able to take the bars to a welding repair shop in St. Marys. They returned the bars to their original condition, thus reducing the risk for injury to patients.
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SHICK Counseling Available
Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) is a free program offering Kansans an opportunity to talk with trained, community volunteers and get answers to questions about Medicare and other insurance issues.
Angie Sauvage is our SHICK trained counselor who can provide seniors with many resources to help answer their questions about Medicare.
With Medicare Open Enrollment beginning October 15, you may encounter patients with questions about Medicare or other senior insurance issues, Angie can assist them. Patients can also be referred to their county's Area Agency on Aging.
We will be posting informational Medicare Blog articles and also placing paper copies of the articles in our locations titled "Know Your Facts." They are a great resource to help Medicare-eligible participants understand the vast differences between Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.
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Upcoming Employee Flu Shot Clinics
Wednesday, October 11 - 1:00pm to 3:30pm
ST MARY’s – Tree Room
Monday, October 16 - 1pm to 4pm
ONAGA – CHCE & Cardiac Rehab Lobby
Tuesday, October 17 - 8:30 to 11:30
ONAGA – CHCE & Cardiac Rehab Lobby
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
Annual Influenza vaccination is a condition of employment for all CHCS Associates.
Associates are responsible for completing the Flu Shot Consent & Annual Health Assessment prior to receiving the vaccine.
Current VIS documents will be available at each clinic.
Flu Shot Consent & Annual Health Assessment forms can be located in Power DMS.
Deadline to receive an influenza vaccine is October 31, 2023.
Click here to view the entire schedule and additional requirements.
Don't forget to enter to wine a FREE T-shirt
from the Gift Shop.
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How to Report a Workplace Injury/Accident
1.Tell your manager/supervisor what happened, ASAP!
A. Seek medical attention, if needed.
B. If you have a work-related accident but you do not need medical intervention, you have to report the injury to your manager / supervisor.
a. Managers will enter the incident into quality data check ASAP.
b. All incidents have to be reported because there is a time limit (KS statutes) that says if you do not report an injury within so many days after the injury then it will not be covered as a work comp case. Additionally, pain from the incident may develop until days or weeks after an injury. So even if you are okay immediately after an incident that may change and you are stuck wishing you had completed the report.
2.Details are important when reporting an injury!
If an employee fell while at work here are some important details
1. What did they trip on? (uneven sidewalk, extension cord, slipped on wet floor, etc.)
2. What were the weather conditions (was it cold and icy outside)?
3. For example if an employee fell on their side (specify if they landed on their right or left side).
3.Reporting a work-related accident does not get you into trouble.
A. Unsafe conditions will not get fixed if left unreported.
4.CHCS does not determine if a claim is compensable or not. That decision is made by our workers comp vendor, RAS.
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Respiratory virus season is right around the corner. Along with the seasonal influenza virus (flu) and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 has become a part of the respiratory virus season. Fall and winter are a time when viruses that cause respiratory disease usually circulate more heavily in the community. Although some people have mild symptoms when they catch flu or RSV, others get sick enough to be hospitalized. CDC expects this year will be similar to last year in terms of the total number of hospitalizations from COVID-19, RSV, and flu. As with last year, the total number of hospitalizations this year is expected to be higher than what we as a nation experienced prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Flu activity in the United States is currently low and although the timing, intensity, and severity of the upcoming flu season cannot be predicted, it is likely to increase over the fall and winter. Ensuring proper ventilation with outside air can help reduce indoor air contaminants, including SARS-CoV-2.
Increasing ventilation by itself is one way to protect yourself and your family from respiratory viruses, along with other best practices such as physical distancing and avoidance of crowded indoor spaces, wearing masks, frequent hand washing, and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.
Ways to improve the ventilation in your home include:
· Bring as much fresh air into your home as possible
· Filter the air in your home
· Consider using a portable cleaner
· Turn on the exhaust fan in your bathroom and kitchen
· Use fans to improve air flow
· Limit the number of visitors in your home and the time spent inside
More information can be found at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/Improving-Ventilation-Home.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/improving-ventilation-in-buildings.html
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Designated Employee Parking
We have recently had issues with staff parking in areas designated for patient use only.
Please note, per the map below, staff are permitted to park only in the areas shaded green.
If you have any questions, please contact your manager. Thank you!
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Due to the Pottawatomie County Health Department’s allocation of the COVID vaccine not arriving until late October, they WILL NOT be able to offer COVID vaccines at our Health Fair on Saturday, October 14th as planned.
They will still be able to offer the flu vaccine.
We have posted this change on FB and have revised our radio ads.
Please help spread the word.
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We are hosting a 2024 Medicare Update program presented by the KSU Research and Extension, Meadowlark District on Friday, October 13 at 1pm at the Centralia Library.
Teresa Hatfield, certified SHICK presenter, will provide valuable information regarding Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans. She is a great resource.
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Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.
Blood donations are essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Please consider making a life-saving donation at our upcoming blood drive. Walk-ins will be accepted as capacity allows.
Onaga Community Hospital
10/23/23 (10:00 am - 02:00 pm)
120 West 8th St.
Walsh Room (Downstairs)
Onaga, KS 66521
Schedule an appointment by clicking the link below or contact:
Marlene Wolfe
marlenewolfe@chcsks.org
785-889-5002
Remember to hydrate, eat a hearty meal before donating, and bring a photo ID or donor ID card. For questions about eligibility to donate due to travel outside the U.S., medications or medical conditions call 800.688.0900.
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Fan Fridays
Don't forget on Fridays you can wear your favorite team shirt!
If you want to your favorite team shirt with jeans, you can donate $10 monthly and support one of our Greater Giving campaigns.
Jeans for a Cause Donation Form
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Upcoming Community Events
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Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Sept 29th, 30th Oct 1st, and Oct 6,7,8
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Holton/Jackson County Chamber
of Commerce
| Join in on the fun on Saturday, October 14th for the annual Fall Fest and Chili Cook-Off on the downtown Holton square. Vendor booths and more! | |
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CHCS menus:
Week 9-13
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Coffee Delights
Special:
October 9-14
Campfire Mocha Latte
Chocolate & toasted marshmallow
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Gift Shop
New hand-blown glass pumpkins are in and available to purchase on the website! These pumpkins are blown at More Than Lemons in Holton and are gorgeous! We can courier them as we have packaging to keep them safe!
New fleece jackets have also arrived! Get yours today! They are also available online!
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And here is a sneak-peak at some of the amazing Christmas items soon to be available! | |
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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 news@chcsks.org. Please send items by close of business on Tuesdays when possible. Ideas are welcome! | | | | |
