KDHE updates guidance
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has updated its guidance related to isolation and quarantine. An excerpt from the agency's FAQ is below.
How long am I considered immune if I had COVID-19 disease?
Close contacts with evidence of previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test may be exempt from quarantine after re-exposure as long as they remain asymptomatic. This is to be determined by the local health officer based on a possible 3-month period of presumed immunity. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 3-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test.
How long am I considered immune if I had COVID-19 vaccine? Vaccinated persons with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
- Are within 3 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
- Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure
Persons who do not meet all 3 of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
|
|
Navigating the 'infodemic'
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of information related to COVID-19? You're not alone. You may also have friends and family who are struggling to sort good information from misinformation and even disinformation.
Several tips can help you and your loved ones navigate the 'infodemic.' When confronted by a source you're unsure of, follow these steps?
- Assess the source
- Go beyond headlines
- Identify the author
- Check the date
- Examine the supporting evidence
- Check your biases
- Turn to fact-checkers
|
|
Treats for Eastridge
Blue Valley Telecommunications sent a cookie tray to Eastridge staff this week in appreciation of their work and care for their community.
Delicious!
|
|
Mental health matters
Reminder: All CHCS associates are eligible for three confidential counseling sessions per fiscal year (April 1-March 31).
|
|
Cardiac Rehab Program expands |
|
The CHCS Cardiac Rehab program is expanding!
The program, which began in early 2020, will now include both Phase 2 and Phase 3 options for individuals who are recovering from a heart attack, heart or heart valve surgery, or heart catheterization. The program also helps patients who are managing chronic congestive heart failure.
Phase 2 lasts 6 to 12 weeks, and participants attend up to an hour-long session three days a week in Onaga to exercise and learn about topics such as medications, high blood pressure management, and nutrition. Phase 3, the latest addition, is the transition from being fully supervised to independent, and the program lasts four months. In this phase, a Cardiac Rehab nurse and a Fitness Center Coordinator will help participants prepare to exercise on their own and track heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugars before and after exercise, target heart ranges, and more. The program helps participants assess progress and stay on track. It will be available in both Onaga and Frankfort.
“We’re thrilled to offer Phase 3 rehab to participants who are ready for those next steps on the road to maintaining a healthier lifestyle,” said Meranda Schmitz, RN and Cardiac Rehab nurse.
Another expansion this spring is SET for PAD, or Supervised Exercise Therapy for Peripheral Artery Disease. This program helps people with insufficiency in veins in their arms and legs, which causes pain, heaviness, and cramping. Read more in the news release by clicking the green button below (left).
Keith Figge is a Phase 2 Cardiac Rehab participant (see photo, above right; Figge is pictured with Meranda Schmitz). Figge recently shared his experience. Learn how the program has helped him recover by clicking the green button below (right).
|
|
Thank you, Greater Giving!
The Greater Giving Wish List provided an upper body ergometer for Cardiac Rehab late last year. The Fitness Center has a bike with an arm ergometer that is popular with Redbud residents, Fitness Center patrons, and Physical Therapy clients. Cardiac Rehab needed an ergometer for clients who are unable to use the bike and to ensure that the equipment would be available when needed.
As you can see in the photo at left, it's one of Figge's favorites!
|
|
Chief Nursing Officer Mindy Olberding is happy to announce that we will present the winter 2020-21 DAISY Award on Friday, February 26 at 11:30 a.m. in the Onaga Hospital lobby.
Please join us in person (with social distancing) or on Facebook Live to learn about our DAISY nominees and to find out which of our extraordinary nurses is receiving the award!
|
|
February is known as American Heart Month. Last week, we shared some advice about physical activity. This week, we'll review some tips for eating a heart-healthy diet.
-
Include a variety of fruits and vegetables without added sauces, sugars, and salt. (Those on a 2,000-calorie diet should consume 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables per day!) Try something new!
-
Choose whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, popcorn, barley, and 100% whole wheat bread/pastas and crackers.
-
Choose low-fat dairy products such as skim and 1% milk to help reduce calorie and fat intake.
-
Choose skinless poultry and fish. Prepare poultry in ways that eliminate saturated and trans fat (for example, bake without skin). Choose the leanest cuts like the boneless, skinless breast. Eat fish at least twice weekly, especially fish with omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, trout, cod, canned light tuna, and herring).
-
Consume nuts, seeds and legumes. Nuts and seeds provide healthy mono and polyunsaturated fat and protein. Legumes known as beans are naturally lower in fact, provide fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Read about the benefits of almonds.
-
Limit saturated fat and trans-fat and replace them with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. If you need to lower your blood cholesterol, reduce saturated fat to no more than 5 to 6 percent of total calories. For someone eating 2,000 calories a day, that’s about 13 grams of saturated fat.
-
If you eat beef and pork, choose cuts labeled “loin” and “round” – they usually have the least fat. Use “choice” or “select” grades of beef rather than “prime,” and be sure to trim the fat off the edges before cooking. For hamburgers or meatloaf, choose 95% extra lean ground beef. If you have to purchase ground beef that is 90% lean or less, drain and rinse the beef after browning.
-
Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars (Gatorade, lemonade, Kool-Aid, and soda). Try Crystal Light or Mio drops if you are looking for taste/flavor. Other sugar-free drinks include Sparkling Ice, Vitamin Water Zero, Gatorade Zero, Bubly, or SoBe water.
-
Choose the least processed foods, which have less sodium, and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim to eat no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Reducing intake to 1,500 mg/day is better because it can lower blood pressure. Try salt free seasonings like: Mrs. Dash, Lawry's Salt Free 17 Seasoning, McCormick Perfect Pinch Signature Salt-Free Seasoning, Flavor Mate No Salt Seasoning Blend, and Dak's spices.
-
If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation: No more than one drink per day for women, and no more than two drinks per day for men.
-
If you eat out, choose healthier options (leaner, less processed) and watch portion sizes. Take home part of your meal for later!
-- Holly Schmitz, registered dietitian
Source: American Heart Association
|
|
Thank you, phlebotomists! |
|
February 15-19 is Phlebotomists Recognition Week.
Phlebotomists' primary task is drawing blood as a specimen for laboratory examinations. They are trained in the technique of collecting and handling specimens properly. CHCS phelebotomists are Suzanne Booth, Meghan Vernon, Dallas Ruckman, Cheyenne Green, and every member of the clinical staff who does blood draws, which includes clinic and acute nurses.
"Our phlebotomists perform more than 100 blood draws every day with different patients, from infants to the elderly. There are many people who are afraid of blood and needles, and phlebotomists ensure the patient keeps calm and still during the entire process," said Eduardo Bertulfo, CHCS Laboratory Manager.
Director of Ancillary Services Andrea Lutz said she recognizes how skilled and professional the phlebotomy staff truly is when making patients feel at ease when they draw blood. "Their technical skill and years of experience at CHCS have made our Lab department what it is today," she said.
Thank you, CHCS phlebos!
|
|
Welcome
We are happy to have the following associates joining us. Welcome to CHCS!
-
Synthea Snyder, C.N.A., Eastridge
-
Kara Ronnebaum, senior accountant, Onaga
-
Tabitha Shuler, C.N.A., Eastridge
-
Siera Swiher, nurse aide, Redbud
|
|
Reminder: Jeans on February Fridays
The CHCS Spirit Squad invites everyone to be comfortable (and warm) in jeans on Fridays through February. Make sure your jeans don't have holes or rips, because we don't want to see your long johns! (Also, you'd be cold. Brrr!)
|
|
"Match the Manager" game deadline extended
There's still time to enter the "Match the Manager" game sponsored by the CHCS Spirit Squad! Find the details in the Feb. 4 edition of this fine newsletter.
Winners will be announced in the February 25 edition of the
E-Connection. Prizes (and bragging rights) will be awarded!
|
|
V-Day celebrations
Valentine's Day brought balloon bouquets, gifts, heart-shaped waffles, King and Queen elections, and more at Eastridge and Redbud!
|
|
|
Eastridge Mardi Gras
Eastridge residents enjoyed Mardi Gras on Tuesday, complete with a King Cake provided by Max and Janice Loughmiller's daughter, Mitzi, who lives in New Orleans. Laissez les bons temps roulez!
|
|
|
Redbud: We've got the beat
John Jeanneret, Restorative Aide, works with Redbud residents on exercises suggested by physicians, physical therapists, or occupational therapists. John and several residents have been having fun with drumming. The activity is great for movement and arm strength, and it's lively!
|
|
|
Coffee Shop special
February 22-26
Turtle Latte
- Chocolate, caramel, and macadamia nut
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
Try our new Hope's Royale cookies! Chocolate chips, coconut, and macadamia nuts ... so good!
Note: The Coffee Shop will be short-staffed on Friday morning, February 19. Drip coffee will be available around 7:45, and espresso drinks will be available starting around 9:30. All are welcome to place advance orders. Thank you for understanding!
|
|
|
Whether the weather be cold, or whether the weather be hot,
we will weather the weather,
whatever the weather,
whether we like it or not.
|
|
Baby sale!
No, we're not selling babies, because that would be creepy. And illegal. We are selling baby STUFF! And babies need a lot of stuff.
Baby items are 30% off at the CHCS Gift Shop!
Come and take a look at our cute onesies, blankets, bibs, teethers, and other things babies need. It's all on sale! Not in Onaga? Give us a call at extension 5059 to let us know how we can help.
|
|
CHCS menus: Onaga and Eastridge |
Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
