Here we go again
Remember the end of May this year? Everyone was feeling pretty good. Hopeful anticipation was in the air. We had made it to the end of the school year with our children learning in person, restaurants and businesses were opening fully, restrictions were lifting, some were looking to a future when we could get rid of masks, and we had just successfully celebrated our COVID-ized associate recognition. And the numbers looked good!
- Systemwide, were testing around 30-35 people weekly, with about 2-3 positives. Our positivity rate hovered around 6%, with some weeks at 0.
- Pottawatomie County Public Health was reporting a maximum of around 12 active cases a day, and often fewer.
- Hospitalizations were low. Stormont was reporting an average of 5 COVID-19 inpatients a day
- The delta variant accounted for 1.3% of all U.S. cases.
But storm clouds were on the horizon. The pace of vaccination had slowed to a crawl. Worse yet, we knew that of those eligible for the vaccine, most who wanted it had received it. We also knew that the delta variant was moving inland and was highly contagious. Some wondered if we were abandoning precautions too quickly.
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Flash forward to the beginning of August.
We’re now testing 75 to 86 people a week, and positivity rates are as high as 30% (and we know the testing number is low)
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Earlier in the week, Pottawatomie County reported 77 active cases and four hospitalizations. Yesterday, the county reported 67 active cases. Of those, 12 are fully or partially vaccinated, 39 are unvaccinated, and 16 are of unknown vaccination status.
- Stormont Vail in Topeka reported 35 COVID-19 inpatients yesterday, four of whom are vaccinated. The other 31 are unvaccinated.
- The delta variant now accounts for 82% of all cases in the US.
As if these statistics weren’t troubling enough, we are now seeing delays in our ability to transfer patients because available critical care beds are in short supply. We had a critical patient wait more than 4 hours in our Emergency Room because we couldn’t find a suitable receiving facility. Hospitals throughout the state are reporting the same issue. One hospital even had to transfer a patient to Salt Lake City!
We are also seeing more COVID-related deaths. Two weeks ago, the hospitals in Springfield, Missouri, reported 27 COVID deaths. At the same time, a hospital in Osage Beach, Missouri, reported 22 deaths in a 23-day period.
We can end this with vaccination. With school starting soon, I fear this is going to get worse – much worse. There is little public support for renewed mask mandates, and people certainly do not support lockdowns. Something has to change. Increasing the vaccination rate is just the change we need.
--Todd Willert, CEO
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What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines
The University of Kansas Health System Care Collaborative recently shared the following. Please read and consider how you can help by talking to family and friends or by getting the vaccine yourself. If you have questions, please talk to your healthcare provider rather than relying on the often poor information provided on social media.
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Delta variant and others to come are showing increased infectivity (at least 2x) compared to previous coronavirus, and these variants cause more severe disease and higher mortality.
- Those previously fully immunized are capable of developing disease after exposure, but severity of disease has been shown to be less, and ability to transfer disease to others is less in those who are vaccinated.
- 90% of people currently hospitalized for COVID are those who are not immunized, and more than 98% of COVID deaths are those who are not immunized.
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Vaccines are safe with few side effects. Side effects are mostly injection-site tenderness and occasional fever, muscle soreness, and fatigue, which are not uncommon with other vaccinations.
- Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been made from technology developed over years of prior research.
- Vaccination allows asymptotic exposures not to have to quarantine but instead to monitor for symptoms of illness.
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New policy regarding COVID-19 and time away from work
The new OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) required Community HealthCare System to develop a policy to protect associates from COVID-19 and ensure that they do not come to work while sick. Our new policy, “Medical Removal and Medical Removal Benefits for COVID-19,” will be published in PowerDMS and ready to review on Friday, August 6, 2021.
This required policy will provide payment to individuals who do not have Paid Time Off (PTO) to use if they have COVID-19, COVID-19-like symptoms, or if they have been exposed at work. OSHA’s intent with this requirement is to encourage employees to report symptoms rather than hiding them out of fear of not receiving a paycheck because they did not have PTO or other forms of paid leave.
After reviewing this policy on Friday, please contact Human Resources if you have any questions.
We will be looking at a time in the next week or two to have an all-associate Zoom meeting to give updates and answer questions on this or any other policy-related or COVID-related changes.
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Delivering the WOW experience |
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Lori Vernon, Assistant Director of Nursing at Eastridge, recently took time to share the following.
"Kiefer Delforge from IT was at Eastridge Monday doing his IT duties when he observed one of our residents needing assistance in her room. He did not hesitate to go into her room, steady her, and call for nursing staff to help. Not many IT people would feel comfortable with what he did. He really made me feel like we are all in this together. Thanks, Kiefer!" she said.
Thank you, Keifer, for providing the WOW experience, and for taking action when you saw someone who needed help even though it wasn't in your job description!
Have you noticed an individual or a group at CHCS delivering the WOW experience? Send it to Sarah Hancock or call extension 5133.
Thank you, Lori, for taking time to share!
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A helmet has always been a good idea |
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Do you or your friends and family members need a reminder about why helmets are a good idea?
Take a look at the video below. It's from the Danish Road Safety Council and provides a lighthearted look at the issue, but it shows us that helmets have always been a good idea.
Want to learn more or do a quick review before school starts? Check out these resources:
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Thanks to the team that represented CHCS at the Corning Day Parade last weekend. We love the rainbow of CHCS shirts on display!
One more parade is coming up this weekend!
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The Pottawatomie County Fair Parade is Sunday, August 8 at 1:00 p.m. Michelle Lippert and Suzanne Booth are coordinating CHCS efforts. Redbud will have a float, and we need a few more associates to walk, hand out goodies, and represent CHCS. Please let Suzanne Booth know if you can join!
CHCS provides a parade banner, candy, and plastic cups to hand out to spectators. Walkers should wear a CHCS T-shirt and a big smile. Thanks to all who represent CHCS at these fun community events. We appreciate your outreach!
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It was a merry Christmas (in July)! |
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Greater Giving's Christmas in July activity raised more than $2,000! Thanks to everyone who purchased raffle tickets, made one-time donations, or committed to a donation from each paycheck to provide funds for the Wish List, Comfort Closet, CHCS Scholarship, or the Williamson Endowment. Congratulations to the raffle winners; we shared those via email on Monday.
One more thing: Thank you to our CEO for being a good sport and letting us throw "snowballs" at him!"
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Welcome to CHCS!
We are happy to have the following associates joining us. Welcome!
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Heidi Prockish, RN , St. Marys Clinic
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Laura Ranieri, Occupational Therapist, Onaga
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Kassidy Fisher, CNA, Redbud
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Josie Harrison, CNA, St. Marys Manor
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Important reminders
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Redbud residents play games regularly, and prizes are awarded to winners. If you have small items to donate for prizes, please give them to Meranda Schmitz or Sarah Hancock. Find details in last week's E-Connection.
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Give blood on Friday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and receive a free Royals t-shirt or hat! Book an appointment online or contact Marlene Wolfe by email or at ext. 5002.
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Community Home Care Equipment (formerly DME) adjusted its hours back in the spring. It's open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed Fridays!) Call extension 5018 for help during business hours. After hours, please leave a voicemail.
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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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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)
August 9-13
Mudslide
- Chocolate and Irish cream
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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FRIDAY Special: The Coffee Shop Meal Deal is available on Fridays! Cherry limeades are also available separately on Fridays.
Going, going, ... the Gift Shop clearance sale is over at the end of the week. Get the bargains while you can!
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CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Redbud resident Dorothy Cline made the local news last week. She and her family are celebrating 5 generations!
In the photo, Dorothy is holding great-great grandson Easton, who was born May 4, 2021. Others in the photo are Easton's father, Jess Correll, Edana Phillips, and Donna Bryan.
Congratulations, Dorothy!
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Updates at St. Marys Manor are in progress. So far, the Manor has received new floors and some new furniture. A few photos are below. We'll share more when the work is finished. It's looking great! |
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Thank you to Cole Child, Eastridge EVS/Maintenance Lead, for all his work planting and taking care of the vegetable garden! It is very productive and is keeping residents busy with the prep work of eating/enjoying the benefits!
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Residents recently enjoyed a small petting zoo and children from VBS coming to sing outdoors. It was a fun Friday afternoon! |
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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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