Spread the word:
Schedule a life-saving cancer screening!
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The consequences of COVID-19 have been many and varied, but one that may not be obvious could be a wave of cancer diagnoses. Many patients delayed important cancer screenings during the last two years, and experts are worried that cancers have gone undetected as a result.
Researchers have found that colonoscopies, the best way to screen for colorectal cancer, dropped by nearly half in 2020 compared to 2019, and they worry that there’s still a backlog. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time to make sure your cancer screenings are up-to-date.
“Screening for colorectal cancer truly saves many lives. I hope patients will talk to their providers about making sure they are up-to-date on their colonoscopy and other important cancer screenings,” said Dr. Marcus Weiser.
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This year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages everyone to "Celebrate a World of Flavors" in their meals while still eating nutritious foods and beverages.
Healthy eating does not have to be an all-or-nothing approach. One meal does not make or break a person’s health. It's what you do most of the time that matters. The key is to find creative and nutritious ways to add flavor to your meals while eating less sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.
Use MyPlate for tips to follow the key recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. One quarter of the plate should hold grains, another quarter should hold protein-rich foods, and the remaining half should be filled with fruits and vegetables along with a serving of low-fat or fat-free dairy. Find MyPlate for those with diabetes.
Keep in mind that you don't have to eat from each of the food groups at each meal, but you should aim to eat a few different food groups during the day. Snack time is a great way to incorporate foods you may not be getting at meal times.
We'll share more tips next week!
--Holly Schmitz, registered dietitian
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CHCS is obligated to protect the privacy of ALL patients, including associates. Please take a moment to review the following reminders about maintaining privacy and adhering to HIPAA regulations.
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Record access: CHCS associates should never access their own records, the records of family members, or any records for which they don't have a business purpose for accessing.
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Accessing your PHI: If you need to access your personal health information, or PHI, you can fill out a Release of Information form and provide it to Health Information Management to gain access to information in your chart. (This form is available on our website.) You can also sign up for the Patient Portal for easy access to your information.
Record security
Patient privacy is fundamental in healthcare cyber-security programs. CHCS uses P2Sentinel to audit Cerner user access. This auditing solution tracks user access to confidential patient data.
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P2 tracks what users have accessed, printed, or changed/modified as well as how long users are in the chart.
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Monthly and quarterly audits track Cerner users who access records with the same name as the user, the same last name as the user, and the same name as the user who modifies a patient chart.
- P2 audit findings are presented quarterly to the Security Committee.
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After March 3, KDHE will no longer publish a list of geographies for travel-related quarantine. This means that after today, quarantine is no longer required after taking a cruise, even for unvaccinated individuals.
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Explaining COVID care
Nurse Manager Lacey Niehues and Respiratory Therapist Michelle Budreau delivered a presentation to the CHCS Board of Directors on Friday, February 25 about how CHCS has cared for COVID-19 patients.
Niehues and Budreau modeled appropriate PPE for staff caring for patients in isolation and talked about the process of helping patients maintain proper oxygen saturation levels so they can recover from the infection. Budreau explained the respiratory devices that CHCS uses and how they work, with a particular focus on the Vapotherm. (When asked how many times they had used the device, the speakers said, 'We lost count.')
Niehues talked about the challenges of providing the level of care required by COVID patients and the importance of the handheld devices from our new telemetry system. Both presenters described the trajectory that many patients follow and the time commitment and level of support required from providers, nurses, and respiratory therapists to keep patients off of a ventilator. Niehues, Budreau, and their staff of nurses and therapists have helped many patients recover. The board appreciated hearing about their experience and their amazing efforts.
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Welcome, February babies!
Our Birth Center welcomed three baby boys in February. Congratulations to the families of Kelton, Ridge, and Boswell (not pictured). Thank you for letting us take care of you!
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Eastridge Veteran recognized
Freedom Hospice is active in recognizing U.S. Veterans for their service. Eastridge resident Bill Renne was recently presented with a plaque and pins by RN Trevor Shuler and Lura Flentie, Director of Senior Services. Shuler is also a Veteran, plus she works for Freedom Hospice, and she helps make sure our Veterans are valued.
Bill served in the United States Navy on active duty from January 31, 1952 through November 18, 1955. He was a reservist from November 19, 1955 through January 30, 1960. Bill served in the Korean War aboard the USS Mount McKinley as Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel. He transported troops from the ship to the shore during the war.
Bill received three medals: The United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Much to his family's surprise, Bill was part of a classified deep-water atomic test known as Operation Wigwam while serving on the USS Mount McKinley.
Thank you to Trevor, Lura, and Freedom Hospice for brightening Bill's day!
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Mental Health Day recording available
The Damon's Purpose Mental Wellness Day was February 20 in Corning. If you missed it or would like to share information with friends and family, you're in luck! The event was recorded by B Squared Productions.
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Infusion room recliners have arrived!
We finally have new recliners for our Infusion Room, so the room is officially complete. This space has been important in helping CHCS provide monoclonal antibodies and other treatments to COVID-19 patients in the past few months. We're glad to have the recliners to enhance the space and our patients' comfort.
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Welcome to CHCS!
We are happy to have the following associates join us. Welcome, all!
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Sofia Maradona, Dietary Aide/Cook, St. Marys Manor
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Patricia Kosmicki, CNA, St. Marys Manor
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Emma Mioni, Resident Assistant, St. Marys Manor
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Important reminders
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Each CHCS associate can receive 4 free boxes of COVID-19 tests. See last week's E-Connection for details on where to get tests at each location. Please pick up your tests by Friday, March 11.
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A silent auction is available to benefit Jeanne and Steve DeVader. A benefit (pulled pork dinner and silent auction) will be held Sunday, March 6 at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church Centennial Building in St. Marys. Steve is fighting cancer; Jeanne has worked in registration at St. Marys for more than 20 years. Questions? Contact Julia Ingwerson.
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Coffee Shop Special
March 7-11
White chocolate caramel latte
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16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
Hungry? Take a look at our new snacks: Sweet and salty snack mix, Asian cracker mix, Blue Diamond almonds, Dove dark chocolate bars, and more!
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CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Eastridge residents enjoyed a Mardi Gras party on Tuesday with foods from the South. They were entertained with stories from a fellow resident who has experienced the Bourbon Street event as well as the history behind the colorful parade. All enjoyed watching a "taped" parade from the year before COVID.
Eastridge would like to give a special thanks to Mitzi Loughmiller, daughter of Janice and Max Loughmiller. Mitzi resides in Louisiana and made the trip to Kansas to present our residents with the traditional king cake that is a staple of Mardi Gras Celebrations. The pastry delight has an original tradition of a tiny plastic "baby" placed inside. If you find the baby in your piece of cake, it is said you will be blessed with luck and prosperity -- plus you have the privilege of bringing the king cake to next year's party. One last fact about Mardi Gras: The traditional colors of gold, green, and purple represent power, faith, and justice, respectively.
--Jennifer Traxler
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Editor's note: Thank you to Christina Hasenkamp, Employee Health Nurse, for submitting the item on the left, and to Lori Vernon, Eastridge Associate Director of Nursing, for submitting the "phishing" warning on the right. We appreciate the laughs! |
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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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