OESEP stands for Occupational and Environmental Safety and Emergency Preparedness. This important committee works behind the scenes to address a range of safety issues, develop appropriate policies, and ensure that CHCS can handle emergencies from severe weather to workplace violence and much more. This is the first in an occasional series of OESEP updates.
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Good news! The 2021 on-site OSHA SHARP: Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program, was successful. Kansas Department of Labor/OSHA inspectors spent two hours interviewing CHCS staff in its review of the CHCS Health and Safety Program in an opening conference and then conducted onsite inspections on CHCS's 11 SHARP-certified sites over a two-day period. KDOL is now recommending CHCS to OSHA for renewal, which will take a few months.
Following the tour, Shelly Briley, SHARP Coordinator, said, "Thank you so much for the opportunity to tour your facilities. As always, it was a great experience and please thank all of your staff as well. I especially wanted to extend my thanks and gratitude for all of your frontline workers who have given their all, and then some, to help get everyone through this terrible time."
SHARP recognizes employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management system. CHCS's acceptance into SHARP from OSHA is an achievement of status that singles CHCS out among business peers as a model for worksite safety and health.
CHCS is the only healthcare system in the state of Kansas that is SHARP-certified, and 1 of only 5 healthcare systems certified nationally! CHCS has been so recognized each year since 2002. Thanks for your help!
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Keeping history alive at CHCS |
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Dr. Charles S. Fleckenstein, left, was here when Community Hospital District No. 1 opened "one of the most modern, small hospitals in the state of Kansas" at the corner of 8th St. and Leonard St. in Onaga on March 31, 1957. Dr. Fleckenstein and Dr. Eugene Walsh cared for patients at the hospital with the assistance of two nurses, three nurses aides, two cooks, one custodian, and one business office assistant.
Dr. Fleckenstein's oldest granddaughter, Laura Swoyer, recently wrote to CHCS to let us know that 20 descendants of Dr. Fleckenstein came to Onaga over Memorial Day Weekend to visit the cemetery, the Historical Society, and the Heritage Wall here in the hospital. A photo of those who gathered is below.
Laura's sisters had seen the wall before, but she and many other family members had not. "It turned out even better than I could have imagined," she said.
"You may have seen the obituary in the Onaga Herald, but my Aunt Dorothy (Dotty) passed away prematurely from Alzheimer's disease, and so now there is no one left from the original four who came to Onaga. We are all so grateful to the many people in Onaga who have embraced the town's history and are keeping it alive," Laura said.
Thanks to our associates for carrying our legacy forward every day!
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Delivering the WOW experience |
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Hali Brown, PharmD, submitted the following.
Ann Stallbaumer works in the Pharmacy Department as our Pharmacy Buyer, and I would bet most people that work for the system aren’t quite sure what that position does for our hospital. She is responsible for all medication purchasing for the entire system. She helps identify drug shortages and works to find alternative medications when our preferred agent is no longer available. She also helps ensure that our on-hand stock is sufficient to cover whatever comes in the door.
During the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ann made sure that we had enough of every medication needed to take care of our patients. This was no easy task, as global pandemics do a lot to create panic in the market and increase drug shortages. Recently I was on PTO during our quarterly meeting with our medication wholesaler account executive, Tina. This is where we review our compliance with our contract and look at opportunities for improvement. Tina’s email summary of the meeting went like this:
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Hali – you already know this, but you seriously have one of the best buyers EVER on you team. Ann is a…..
ROCK STAR!!!!!
I’ve Never seen 100% compliance for the whole quarter before. Hope you had a great vacation! 😊
-Tina
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Thank you for delivering the WOW experience, Ann! And thanks to Hali for taking time to share.
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It's tick season!
If you've been outside lately, you may have found some unwanted guests. Ticks are plentiful here in eastern Kansas. Be sure to check for ticks after time outdoors--even if you've only been in your own yard.
Here are a few tips on avoiding ticks.
- Check pets for ticks and talk to your vet about the best tick prevention products.
- Use insect repellent that contains a 20 percent concentration of DEET on clothes and on exposed skin.
- If you find a tick attached to your body, remove it with tweezers. Grasp it firmly and as close to the skin as possible and avoid crushing the body, then pull away from the skin. Clean the area with antiseptic.
Ticks can transmit diseases, and many tickborne illnesses have similar signs symptoms. See your healthcare provider if you develop fever/chills, aches and pains, or a rash following a tick bite.
Click the flyer, above right, to learn more about Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can result from the bit of an infected deer tick.
The CDC also has excellent information about avoiding ticks, tickborne diseases, and more. Click the green button to review!
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Health Fair: Save the Date
CHCS is planning to offer a lab-only Health Fair on Saturday, October 9, from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. Labs will be $25 (PSA tests cost an additional $10).
Public announcement and extensive promotion will begin in August, but we wanted our associates to know in advance. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned!
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Show off your Walk Kansas shirt!
If you see associates wearing bright lime green or gold t-shirts with the Walk Kansas logo, be sure to congratulate them on a job well done! All associates who participated in the Walk Kansas program through CHCS received a free shirt courtesy of the Livewell Committee.
If you participated and didn't receive a shirt, or if you didn't sign up for one, contact Sarah Hancock at ext. 5133 or at sarahhancock@chcsks.org -- we have a few extras!
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Successful CHCS Walk Kansas Team "The Young and the Breathless" is pictured below. Team members, from L to R, are Leah Chamley, Coffee Shop lead barista; Jane McClain, Redbud lead nurse; Michelle Lippert, Redbud activities director; and Crystal Jeanneret, Redbud CMA/restorative aide. Way to go, team!
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Below: The "PaceMakers" in Frankfort are looking good in their shirts! From L to R, the team consists of Chantel Heinen, RN; Anita Anderson, registration; Jeremy Brandt, PA-C; Denise Fritz, registration; Stacy Vermetten, RN and Frankfort Clinic lead nurse; and Lyndsi Morton, fitness supervisor. Nice job, all!
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Important reminders
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Any CHCS associate who wishes to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or who has questions about the vaccine is welcome to contact Employee Health Nurse Christina Hasenkamp. Questions and conversations will be kept confidential. Contact Christina by phone at extension 5109 or email christinahasenkamp@chcsks.org. View a flyer.
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CHCS Clinics are offering COVID-19 vaccines for anyone age 12 and up. View a flyer.
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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
(and Gift Shop goodies)
June 14-18
Maple latte
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
FRIDAY AFTERNOON Special: CHERRY LIMEADES!
Stop by for a taste of summer!
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NEW THIS WEEK:
- Chocolate-covered sunflower seeds
- Beer steins and "Big man/little man" mug sets
- Festive paper napkins
Father's Day is June 20! We have great Dad gifts: Cards, gadgets, Route Step Farm gift baskets, socks, chocolate or caramel treats, Duke Cannon products, and more.
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The Onaga Cafeteria will be closed June 14-18 because of flooring replacement in the kitchen and storage room. Meals will be available ONLY for patients and Redbud residents during this time.
The Coffee Shop will have a meal deal available for those looking for a quick lunch option without leaving the building! Look for more info via email Monday morning.
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Flower power
St. Marys Manor residents headed outside for some fresh air and sunshine last week. They also helped Activities Director Cheryl Herrman plant some flowers around the Manor. It's great to be able to enjoy some spring days (finally)!
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The CHCS garden is overflowing with salad greens, herbs, and kale! Hats off to the Livewell Committee for tending the garden. If you're in Onaga today or tomorrow and would like to share the bounty, please visit the kitchen. |
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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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