CDC, KDHE issue guidance for fully vaccinated individuals
Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its first set of public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people. The guidance will be updated as more data become available.
The guidance notes that people are "fully vaccinated" 2 weeks after they have received the second dose of a two-dose series or 2 weeks after receiving the single-dose version of the COVID-19 vaccine. It recommends maintaining precautions, but fully vaccinated people can:
- Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
- Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
- Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic
KDHE has also issued guidance for those who are fully vaccinated. It echoes the CDC and provides additional stipulations about isolation and quarantine. Those who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine after exposure if they are within 6 months of receiving the last dose in the COVID-19 vaccine series as long as they remain asymptomatic.
One exception: vaccinated inpatients and residents in healthcare settings should continue to quarantine following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19; outpatients should be cared for using appropriate transmission-based precautions. This exception is due to the unknown vaccine effectiveness in this population, the higher risk of severe disease and death, and challenges with social distancing in healthcare settings.
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Karen Elliott talks double-masking on KSNT
KSNT visited Onaga recently to talk about CDC recommendations related to double-masking with Karen Elliott, RN and infection prevention expert. Karen described circumstances in which double-masking would be effective and why CDC made the recommendation. Take a look!
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Reuited!
Two sisters who hadn't seen each other for nearly a year were reunited at the COVID-19 vaccine clinic on February 1 in Onaga.
In the photo at right, Bud Bonjour, age 97, is on the left. His wife, Margaret Bonjour, is in the middle, and her sister, Darline Costa, is on the right. Margaret and Darline are 94 and 90, respectively. Bud and Margaret are the grandparents of Kristi Hutfles, RN with Community HomeHealth.
The sisters were thrilled to see each other in person at the vaccine clinic. Look at the smiles on those faces!
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Blumer to join Centralia Clinic |
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Claire Blumer, physician assistant, will join our Centralia Clinic in early April. Blumer will see patients Wednesday through Friday each week.
Blumer grew up in Hanover, Kansas, where she attended Hanover High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in life sciences at Kansas State University and completed her education at Wichita State University with a master of physician assistant degree. Blumer was previously employed at K+STAT Urgent Care in Manhattan.
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You may notice social media posts, print ads, radio ads, and messages on our website and Patient Portal that use the "Catch Up on Care" theme. We also have a landing page on our website that collects monthly content with matching graphics.
The goals of this campaign are to provide good wellness information to our patients and to motivate them to take care of preventive healthcare visits they missed in 2020 because of the pandemic. You can help by sharing posts and passing the word to your family, friends, and patients.
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Join Walk Kansas with CHCS! |
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Spring is a great time to get outside and to think about setting some new fitness goals. The Livewell Committee is working with Walk Kansas to offer CHCS associates an opportunity to join this year's program at no cost.
Here's how to join
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Find some co-workers who want to form a team. Teams consist of 4 to 6 people.
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Designate a captain who can handle team registration.
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Choose your challenge from 3 options based on the goals your team wants to set: “8 Wonders Walk” = 2 ½ hrs/wk; “Cross Country” = 4 hrs/wk; “Little Balkans to Nicodemus” – 6 hr/wk
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Captains: Review the Captain's Guide and sign up your team. Team members will receive email invites to set up their own accounts to log their progress.
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All Team Members: Take a look at the Walk Kansas Activity Guide to learn more about what "counts" for activity and how to get ready to meet your fitness goals. Get set up with your online account and be ready to start logging on March 28!
Walk Kansas FAQs
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Do I have to sign up as part of a team? An individual option is available for those who prefer to participate on their own. But joining a team is fun, so we encourage everyone to try! We can help match you with a team if you don't have one.
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What if I'm not that into exercise? This program is for ANYONE, regardless of fitness level. It's designed to be flexible and to help participants set achievable goals.
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Do I have to use the internet to participate? Online logging is required, so you will need an email address (it doesn't have to be a CHCS email) and internet access to participate fully. If your team captain wishes to enter your information for you, that could be an option if you don't have access to the internet.
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Can I use my phone to access the log? Yes, the website works great on your phone. If you use an iPhone or iPad, an iOS app is available. Search Walk Kansas on the App Store. The app also works with most fitness trackers. Find more information on the last page of the Captain's Guide.
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Can I use a paper log and then log in once a week to complete the online log? Yes! A paper log is available and is a great tool to keep track day to day. Just be sure to transfer your log to the online portal at least once a week.
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Will there be prizes? Livewell is working on a prize plan to recognize those who achieve their goals.
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How do I get a Walk Kansas T-Shirt? T-shirts are available for purchase through the website you'll use to track progress toward your goal.
Look for an opportunity to join a Zoom meeting to get more information and help with signup soon!
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National Nutrition Month: Variety |
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As detailed in last week's edition of the E-Connection, March is National Nutrition Month. We're sharing tips each week to celebrate -- and to help remind us how to take care of ourselves.
This week's tips center around eating a variety of foods every day.
- Include healthful foods from all food groups
- Hydrate healthfully
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Learn how to read nutrition facts labels (click this link for a handout that can help)
- Avoid distractions while eating
- Take time to enjoy your food!
Be sure to complete our nutrition quiz by March 29 for a chance to win a prize! Prize winners will be announced in April.
--Holly Schmitz, registered dietitian and
Nutrition Services manager
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Delivering the WOW experience |
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Nahtahna Smith, Onaga Acute department secretary, sent a note in appreciation of Fofoga Daniels, C.N.A.
"I just wanted to give a shoutout to Fo. She took the time to take one of our patients outside for some fresh air. That is awesome of her!" The patient truly appreciated a chance to go outside in a wheelchair and enjoy a warm, spring-like day.
Thank you to Fo for delivering the WOW experience to patients, and thanks to Nahtahna for taking time to share.
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Greater Giving is making some changes in 2021. All the good stuff is still in action – Comfort Closet, Wish List, Scholarship, and Endowment. And we are still very appreciative of everyone’s donations and contributions!
We are making two changes that will streamline and simplify donations.
First, while we still think the value of one hour’s pay per pay period is a good donation goal, we are discontinuing the Club 26 requirement. We won’t be talking about Club 26 any longer, but CHCS will continue to be very thankful for your ongoing donations. We will continue to do great things for our patients and our healthcare system with your donations!
Second, if you donate to the Scholarship or the Endowment, we need you to complete a new form by March 23. Previously, CHCS collected donations and then passed those donations on to these funds in the Foundation. By completing the new form, your donations to the Scholarship and Endowment will now go directly into that fund. Your donation process will remain automatic, as it is now, it will just become an ACH process through your bank. If you only donate to the Comfort Closet or Wish List, no change is necessary.
The new streamlined process amounts to behind-the-scenes updates that will allow better accountability for you, the IRS, the Foundation, and CHCS, and it will be less work for CHCS.
These changes go into effect April 1. Completed new forms are due to Susie Kufahl, Onaga CHCS campus, by March 23. If you participate in donating to the CHCS Scholarship or the CHCS Williamson Endowment, you should have received a letter and new form in the mail and/or by email. If you still need one, or if you have any questions, please contact Cindy Flentie at cindyflentie@chcsks.org or Susie Kufahl susiekufahl@chcsks.org.
Thank you for your continued generosity to CHCS and to our patients!
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Community Home Care Equipment, formerly known as DME, offers home medical products to meet special needs.
The shop is located in our Onaga Hospital, but patients around the system are able to call Community Home Care Equipment for help purchasing or ordering an array of items, including the following.
- Home oxygen equipment and portable oxygen concentrators
- Wheelchairs or walkers
- CPAP machines
- Breast pumps
- Ostomy/urostomy supplies
- Orthopedic supports and braces
- Nutrition: Ensure/Glucerna
The store’s hours have recently changed to Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Patrons are welcome to visit in person or to call 785-889-5018 for help.
Product lines are also changing. A few items are being transferred to the Gift Shop (badge reels, compression socks, Biofreeze and Sombra). Some other items will be discontinued. Check out sale prices on some discontinued items at the Gift Shop (please visit Community Home Care Equipment to pay).
When visiting Community Home Care Equipment, please follow signs to DME. Signs will be updated to the correct name soon.
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March: Madness and leprechauns |
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The CHCS Spirit Squad has a wee surprise in store for everyone on March 17. Be on the lookout for special snacks in a leprechaun's favorite color!
Reminder: Be ready to celebrate March Madness! Brackets will be available Monday morning, March 15, and they will need to be returned by March 17. The turnaround time is short, so polish those predictions!
Watch your email for options for turning in brackets to participate in a friendly bracket competition.
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Thank you
I would like to thank everyone for all the comforting words, cards, prayers, and warm thoughts for the loss of my mother, Arlet Green, and also my mother-in-law, Vera Teske, who passed away back in December. Also a special thank you to contributors to the Kitty Fund for the gift cards from Lowe's. I thought we would plant a tree in memory of both of them.
Thank you again, everyone, for making a rough few a months better.
Kathy Teske
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CHCS apparel orders
The CHCS apparel store with Blue Chip Athletic is open! Short-sleeved CHCS T-shirts, performance polo shirts, and several jacket options are available. T-shirts are screen printed with the CHCS logo, and other items are embroidered.
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A NOTE ON SAMPLES: Samples are on their way around the system, starting in Holton. Turnaround is tight, so please send them on to the next location ASAP. Instructions are in the box.
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New this time: Personalize embroidery with your department! For example, add "Eastridge," "Frankfort Clinic," "Dietary," "Respiratory Therapy," "Nursing," etc. If you don't wish to personalize, just leave the box blank on the order form. Please use official department names only.
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ORDER BY MARCH 21. Click the green button below to visit the online store or enter http://bit.ly/CHCS-shirts in your browser.
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Orders will arrive at CHCS in Onaga approximately three weeks after the deadline. Shipping is free, and the Gift Shop will distribute orders to all locations. (Note: When prompted for your address when ordering, use the address associated with your credit card, NOT your work location address.)
- The Gift Shop will order a limited selection of T-shirts, but we will not carry jackets or other embroidered items at this time.
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Questions? Email Sarah Hancock or call extension 5133.
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Important reminders
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Associates are allowed to wear jeans on Fridays through March. Enjoy!
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CHCS sponsors two $500 scholarships for college-bound or trade school students pursuing a career in healthcare. These awards are for graduating HS seniors from CHCS Clinic towns and are offered through the Caring Community Foundation. The application is available online and from high school counselors. Apply by March 31! Some schools may have an earlier deadline, so be sure to have students check with their counselors.
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Employee Assistance Program: All CHCS associates are eligible for three confidential counseling sessions per fiscal year (April 1-March 31). To schedule, contact Regina Gronewoller, LSCSW, at reginagronewoller@chcsks.org (preferred) or call 785-437-3734. Download and share a flyer.
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Coffee Shop special
March 15-19
Cinnamon dolce latte
- Cinnamon and brown sugar
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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Build your own Easter Basket at the Gift Shop!
Hop on by the Gift Shop to find what you need for your Easter baskets. We have a variety of baskets, Easter grass, candy, and fun basket-fillers.
Find new children's books, coloring and activity books, stuffed bunnies and lambs, and more! We also have new potted flowering plants that will help you welcome spring. Take a look!
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CHCS menus: Onaga and Eastridge |
Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle
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Eastridge resident Max Loughmiller celebrated his 80th birthday on March 10. Everyone enjoyed his party, complete with a beautiful cake!
Max is pictured here with his wife, Janice.
Happy birthday, Max! We wish you many more celebrations.
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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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