Ransomware/Phishing reminder
U.S. hospitals and health systems remain on high alert for cyberattacks. As reported in last week's E-Connection, the FBI and other agencies issued a warning of an imminent threat of ransomware attacks. One medical center in New York shut down its email because of the threat. Learn more about the attacks.
CHCS hopes to avoid the need to take extreme action, but we need EVERYONE to help by maintaining vigilance and looking at email messages extra carefully. Results from a recent fake phishing campaign sent by our IT department as a test were disappointing.
What can you do?
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Look at addresses and senders carefully and stop and think before you click links!
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Take time to review a few tips to avoid phishing by reviewing a document we shared a few months ago or by clicking the green button below for advice from the Federal Trade Commission.
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ASK IF YOU AREN'T SURE! Forward suspicious email messages to Dom Freeman at dominicfreeman@chcsks.org.
Thanks to our IT staff for doing everything they can to secure our systems and educate associates.
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Mental health moment
Looking for ways to find the happy in your life? Take a look at the graphic below for some tips, or join the Action for Happiness 10 Days of Happiness program. The free, 10-day online coaching program guides you through daily actions.
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2021 Open Enrollment is coming soon!
- Letters have been delivered via mail or email with instructions on how to use the online enrollment tool.
- Because of COVID-19 restrictions, meetings will be via Zoom later this month, so look for more details soon. In the meantime, please familiarize yourself with the online enrollment tool. To see what benefits you are currently enrolled in, click Benefits at the top of the page.
- When all premiums are determined and updated, we will send a notice so everyone can review 2021 benefit information.
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Reminder: Open Enrollment is the perfect time to join CHCS Greater Giving.
Greater Giving is a flexible program that offers associates the opportunity to give back to CHCS, which is a not-for-profit healthcare provider. Choose the amount and the fund(s) to which you'd like to contribute. Passionate about educating future healthcare workers? Choose scholarships. Want to help patients in need? Give to the Comfort Closet! Find more information.
Questions about Open Enrollment or Greater Giving? Contact Jill Greene at ext. 5030 or Cindy Flentie at ext. 5026.
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November 8-14 is National Nurse Practitioner Week!
Nurse practitioners play a vital role in providing patient care. They evaluate patients; order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests; diagnose illnesses; and prescribe medication to patients. They manage patients' overall care and provide ongoing disease prevention and lifestyle education.
Rural NPs are highly integrated into their communities and often practice with more autonomy. The National Rural Health Association recently interviewed CHCS's own Michele Reisinger about the opportunities and challenges of serving as a rural nurse practitioner for a piece in its Rural Horizons magazine and Rural Health Voices blog.
"A rural NP may be 30 miles from a supervising physician or 30 miles or more from a hospital providing a higher level of care. A supervising physician may be available by phone only or in the office for a half day every other week, which means NPs must practice with autonomy out of necessity in many cases," she said. Read more from Reisinger on how NPs can be prepared for rural practice.
Hats off to CHCS's excellent team of NPs:
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Andrew Barnes
Nancy Bosse
Cornelia Campbell
Kay Cummins
Nicole Huey
Julia Ingwerson
Amy Jones
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Bonnie McKinsey
Heather Myers
Debra Rezac
Michele Reisinger
Matthew Ridder
Merica Surdez
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We've got spirit, yes we do ... |
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We've got spirit, how about YOU?
Celebrate your team spirit on Friday, November 13 by wearing jeans (no rips or holes, please) and the team t-shirt, jersey, or sweatshirt of your choice.
Support your team (high school, college, or pro!), and don't forget to send photos of you and your squad to news@chcsks.org so we can share them.
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The CHCS Spirit Squad has been gathering and planning, so be on the lookout for more fun activities SOON!
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HealthStream due December 15 |
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Associates hired before January 1, 2020 are required to complete training assignments in HealthStream by December 15.
All courses have been assigned. Access your training courses by visiting the For Associates page of the CHCS website, then scroll down to the HealthStream box and click "Complete training."
Any associate who has not completed assignments by December 15 will not be allowed to work until all assignments are completed.
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Halloween happened! Thanks to everyone who contributed to a little fun in our communities around the system. A few photos are below; find the full photo album on our Facebook page.
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Above: At St. Marys Manor, the local school treated residents by having a costume parade outside. Residents and staff enjoyed waving and watching the kids go by the windows (top photos). The Zombie Hunt game brought fun to the residents and staff (bottom photos). Certain staff members received Zombie cards to carry in their pockets, and residents had to say "trick or treat" to be handed a card. At the Halloween party, cards were counted to see who had the most, and they received a small gift and "Top Zombie Hunter" certificate. All departments participated, and residents started asking staff for Zombies at 6:00 a.m.! They had a wonderful time and requested it to be played again next year for Halloween. |
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Below: At Eastridge, staff enjoyed costumes and throwing a Halloween party for residents. Special canine assistant Murphy had TWO costumes: one as the purple M&M and the other as a spider. |
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Above: In Westmoreland, the clinic participated in a downtown trick-or-treat event with Westmoreland Elementary School students. |
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Below: In Onaga, some departments enjoyed costumes to celebrate (Rehab and Surgery are at the bottom of the photo group). We also hosted a Trick or Treat Trail outside Redbud for the community and residents to enjoy. We had an excellent turnout on a beautiful day, and everyone followed the social distancing rules well.
PRIZES: For best table, we had a tie! Both Dietary and Acute win a hot chocolate party for their table decorations. Dietary had an excellent haunted forest, and Acute had a graveyard. The best costume prize goes to Carol Perry for her excellent witch. She wins a $10 gift card from the Coffee and Gift Shop. (Carol is pictured below with her daughters.)
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2021 Health Observances calendar
The 2021 calendar of health observances is available. Take a look so you can plan special activities and recognitions in the new year.
The link requires a KHA login. If you don't have one but would like a copy of the calendar, email Sarah Hancock at sarahhancock@chcsks.org and she'll send you the PDF. (The file is too large to upload into the newsletter.)
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Christmas tree needs a home!
Onaga Hospital has a 12-foot pre-lit Christmas tree with lights that don't work. We are replacing the tree this year. Other than the problem with the lights, the tree is in excellent shape.
Do you know of a nonprofit organization or school that would like to have the tree? Please contact Lorraine Meyer at lorrainemeyer@chcsks.org or extension 5014.
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Coffee Shop special
November 9-13
PB & Jelly Latte
- Peanut butter and raspberry
- 16 oz., $4
Note: Personal cups are now allowed at the Coffee Shop. Please remove the lid and hand your cup to the barista for filling.
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The holidays are almost here!
The CHCS Coffee and Gift Shop is gearing up for the holidays. We will start unveiling new products soon, and please mark your calendar for a special open house on Monday, November 30! Our storage room is bursting at the seams!
COVID-19 will require some different approaches, but we are confident that we can provide some great shopping opportunities plus a little fun for all! Stay tuned for details.
p.s. Last call for Halloween! All Halloween items are 25% off through the end of the week. Get them before they crawl back to the crypt.
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And speaking of the holidays ...
In the past, some locations have enjoyed a Secret Santa activity. If you are in charge in your location, time to get rolling!
In Onaga, we'll be collecting names soon. If you're interested in joining, email news@chcsks.org or add your name to the gift box at the Coffee Shop. Please note that this activity is open only to CHCS associates. Here's the rundown:
- Week 1 $5 gift due December 3
- Week 2 $5 gift due December 10
- Week 3 $5 gift due December 17
- Week 4 $20-25 gift due December 22
Additional details about dropoff location, gift themes, and other logistics are coming soon. Ho, ho, ho!
Thanks to Donna Krohn and Jill Greene for organizing!
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Notes
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In Onaga, the water and ice machine are now touchless! Personal cups are now allowed for water and ice. Please continue to use foam cups for hot water, coffee, and tea.
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St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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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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