Fall is finally here! (almost) |
The fall equinox arrives TODAY at 9:04 P.M. EDT in the Northern Hemisphere. The equinox occurs at the same moment worldwide.
- During an equinox, the sun crosses what we call the “celestial equator”—an imaginary extension of Earth’s equator line into space. The equinox occurs precisely when the Sun’s center passes through this line.
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After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights as the sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier. This ends with the winter solstice, after which days start to grow longer once again. Learn more.
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The lovely bulletin board pictured above greets patients and associates in the Holton Clinic. Many thanks to Nicki Rivers for sharing her talents and helping everyone celebrate the seasons! |
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Preparing for the unthinkable, part 1 |
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Preparing for the unthinkable is difficult, but in light of recent active shootings at Uvalde, Texas, and Tulsa’s St. Francis Hospital, CHCS is renewing its focus on active violence preparedness and response. First of all, know that the incidence and risk for an active shooter is low at all facilities; however, we want our associates to have some training and preparation should the unthinkable happen.
Our Occupational & Environmental Safety & Emergency Preparedness, or OESEP, team has chosen to adopt the Run/Hide/Fight/Treat/Heal approach to active shooter response. This week, we'll talk about Run/Hide/Fight. Next week, we'll address Treat/Heal.
RUN
Studies show that people often freeze up when facing a threat. Running and getting away from the danger will not only save your life, but also allow you to help respond to the victims after the threat is gone (such as when the shooter is subdued by law enforcement).
Key points:
- Leave your personal belongings behind.
- Encourage your co-workers to run with you but do not delay your running away for others.
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It is OK to run from patient care locations to save yourself. Watch the MESH Coalition video for active shooter training in the Healthcare Environment.
- Keep your hands up, especially if you meet a police officer, because they are looking for a shooter and will have a split second to decide to shoot or not. Make this decision easy for police by making your hands visible.
- If you are being shot at, move in a zig-zag pattern.
HIDE
If you cannot safely run away or running is not an option, hide! The best hiding place is a place out of view of the shooter – ideally a locked room. If you must hide in a room that does not have a lock, barricade the door with something heavy such as a bed or desk.
Key points:
- Lock the door if you can or barricade the door with heavy objects if you are able.
- If there is a window, cover it with blinds, paper, a sheet or whatever you can find.
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Call 911. If you cannot talk, the 911 dispatcher can listen and gather information, including your location. Some local dispatches may also have 911 to text so you can text to 911. Find more information at Text-To-911 at Kansas PSAPs – Kansas 911 Coordinating Council.
- Put your phone on silent and turn off any light sources in the room.
- Silence any equipment alarms in the room.
- Think of an escape plan, and be prepared to fight if needed.
FIGHT
If you do not have a choice and a direct encounter with an active shooter is close, you must fight! Fighting should be a last resort option. Grab and throw heavy objects at the active shooter (such as mugs, chairs, pens/pencils, charts, equipment) -- anything that can throw off the shooter’s aim that might allow you time to run for safety.
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In the next several weeks, you will be seeing CHCS engage in several activities to help our associates prepare for the unthinkable.
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September 22 Management Team Meeting: We will deliver an overview of the CHCS Active Violence Response: Run, Hide, Fight.
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New posters will be distributed after the meeting. For a quick, easy reference on what to do, CHCS has purchased Run, Hide, Fight posters (see above) to be placed in visible locations for associates such as breakroom areas. These posters are designed to be a daily visual reminder for associates. The content in the poster is consistent with our Active Violence, or Hostage Situation, Aggressive Person Policy in PowerDMS.
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On or before October 21: Managers, leads, and directors will walk through and discuss an active shooter scenario with associates in their specific department or workplace to plan in advance and ask important questions such as the following.
- Where would you run? Is there more than one exit?
- Where would you hide? Does the door lock?
- When would you fight, and with what makeshift weapons such as a fire extinguisher, wasp spray, chair, hot coffee, scissors, and so on?
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Before and during the October 27 Management Team Meeting: Directors will gather feedback and share recommendations.
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October 6: We will host a Zoom meeting for associates to review our active violence response and address any questions or concerns that arise from the walk-through. We know this information can be distressing, and we want to make sure everyone understands our approach and is as prepared. Look for details soon!
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December 15, 2022: All Associates will have completed Relias Active Shooter Response course.
Sources:
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Get ready for CHCS Tailgate Week! |
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The week of September 26 has been declared TAILGATE WEEK at CHCS.
Celebrate by wearing team shirts ALL WEEK (jeans on Friday only, please!).
Members of the leadership team will visit each location during the week to connect in person and deliver tailgate snacks (nachos, anyone?!).
Visit schedule -- note changes for Wed. and Thurs.
- Holton and Onaga: Tuesday, September 27
- Westmoreland: Wednesday, September 28
- Frankfort and Centralia: Thursday, September 29
- St. Marys: Friday, September 30
Visit times will vary but will be late morning to early afternoon. We look forward to seeing everyone and finding out what teams you love! Bring your team spirit and your thoughts or concerns--we are happy to listen.
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Associate flu shot clinics started TODAY! |
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The first associate flu shot clinic was TODAY! Plan ahead to avoid a last-minute scramble.
Flu shots are mandatory for all CHCS associates. The deadline is October 28. Click the flyer at right to view locations, dates, and times of flu shot clinics. Important information about declinations is also included on the flyer.
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Thanks to Christina Hasenkamp, RN and Employee Health Nurse (right) and Nancy Willert, RN and Education Coordinator (left) for delivering flu shots today in Onaga! Click the flyer above to expand/download/
print and mark those calendars!
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EAP highlight: Download the app! |
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Our new Employee Assistance Program has an array of resources for associates. Find information about the program and how to access resources in the For Associates section of our website.
One great thing about the new program is that you can download an app that offers:
- Direct access to help via phone, message, or text
- Wellbeing assessments
- Videos about the program
- Goal-setting
- And more!
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Need a Health Fair appointment?
Call to schedule!
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Associates who are working at the October 8 Health Fair and Community Baby Shower are welcome to schedule appointments for labs at 6:30 a.m. before public appointments begin.
Please call Onaga Registration (ext. 2107) to schedule.
Not working the event? Please ask for an appointment in the 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. time frame. Walk-ins are also welcome!
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Reminder: Although we can take credit cards, cash payments will be much quicker! |
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We are happy to have the following associates joining us. Welcome to CHCS!
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Debby Fischer, Cook, St. Marys Manor
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Jasmine Johnson, Cook, Eastridge
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Leah Jones, RN, Onaga Acute
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CHCS represented at Kansas Hospital Association Convention |
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CHCS was well represented at the Kansas Hospital Association Convention September 8-9 in Overland Park. Todd Willert, CEO; Mindy Olberding, CNO; Cindy Flentie, HR Director; and Sarah Hancock, Communications Director attended a variety of educational and inspirational sessions.
Photo captions: Todd served on a CEO panel for the Kansas Association of Health Care Communicators called "Communications: An Essential Aspect in Hospital Strategies" (below); Mindy was called up on stage because of her Harry Potter fandom during a presentation on customer service, and she received a wand for her spell-casting efforts (middle); CHCS's own Christina Hasenkamp was a nominee for Health Care Worker of the Year at the Awards Luncheon (bottom).
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Thank you to Mindy Olberding and Nancy Willert for setting up a "drink station" during the Onaga Invitational High School Cross Country Meet on Thursday, Sept. 15. It was a HOT day, and many parents (myself included) appreciated knowing there was someone way out on the long stretch the runners take by the airport.
THANK YOU!
Manda Thompson
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Painting the town red (and other colors) |
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Several Onaga associates spent some time painting the equipment in the playground across the street from the hospital last week. It went from plain white to bright colors, and it looks much more cheerful! We have a little more work to do and will schedule it soon. Thanks to all who helped!
- Kelly Haug, Community HomeHealth
- Renee Trippel, Pharmacy
- Shelby Lombardo, Sonogram Tech
- Sarah Hancock, Communications Director
- Nancy Willert, Education Coordinator
- Erwin Bangoy, Spouse of Irene Gingoyon, Laboratory Tech, with puppy Willow as a cheering squad
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Important reminders and community events
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The next Onaga Historical Society Fourth Saturday Garage Sale is Sunday, September 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Find the details.
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Enter the Community Baby Shower Gift Contest to win an ice cream party for your department! Entries are due to the Administration office by 5:00 p.m. October 4. Find details.
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CHCS departments, long-term care, 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.
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Coffee and Gift Shop Delights |
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September 26-29 Special:
Campfire Mocha
- Dark and white chocolate, plus toasted marshmallow
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16 oz., $4
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Hot, cold, or frappe
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Double your discount in September!
Fall has officially begun! We're celebrating the new season with a special promotion for CHCS associates: For the rest of the month, DOUBLE your associate discount on Gift Shop purchases. That means items you buy in the Gift Shop are 20% off!
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Fine print: This promotion does not apply to Coffee Shop purchases or snacks. CHCS T-shirts are also excluded, as those prices are already discounted. The usual associate discount is 10%. |
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CHCS apparel store closing date extended! |
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Order CHCS T-shirts, jackets, and pullovers ... plus CUSTOM SCRUBS!
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Order deadline: Wednesday, Sept. 28, 11:59 p.m. (extended to allow time for samples to make it to all locations)
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All items will ship to the Gift Shop in Onaga, so shipping is free for associates (choose "pick up" or "ship to coordinator"--either option is fine)
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Payment is by credit card or debit card
- Orders will ship approximately 3 weeks after the store closes
- Gift Shop will send items to your work location via courier ASAP after they arrive
- Prices for jackets, pullovers, and scrubs include CHCS logo embroidery
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Samples for scrubs and unisex crewneck sweatshirt will not be available.
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CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Assisted Living Week celebrations |
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Redbud residents celebrated Assisted Living Week with Hat Day; Red, White, and Blue Day; and Wear Your Favorite Color/Favorite Outfit Day. They also had a party and played games and enjoyed doughnuts one day during the special week. Looks like a good time was had by all!
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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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