Thank you to everyone who helped plan and work at last Saturday's Health Fair and Community Baby Shower! We served 222 patients with low-cost labs and delivered excellent information and prizes to new and expecting parents.
Hosting a successful event takes the help of many, so thank you to all who helped with setup and cleanup, ordering supplies, making signage, copying and collating packets, donating baby gifts, and much more.
|
|
Fall 2022 DAISY Award will be announced October 28 at 8:30 a.m.! |
|
Nurses make a difference every day by providing expert care and genuine compassion. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses recognizes that care, and CHCS is proud to participate in this meaningful recognition program embraced by healthcare organizations around the world.
The DAISY Award was created by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died of complications of the autoimmune disease idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. During Barnes’ eight-week hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided, so they set out to acknowledge the superhuman work nurses do each day.
CHCS selects DAISY Award winners twice each year through a blind selection process. Five CHCS nurses were nominated for the fall 2022 DAISY Award. Congratulations to these excellent nominees:
-
Danielle Baxter, RN, Onaga Clinic
-
Jody Becker, RN, Onaga Acute
-
Tiffany Ronnebaum, RN, Acute Charge Nurse, Trauma Coordinator
-
Marie Wessel, RN, Onaga Acute
-
Alexis Whorton, RN and Community HomeHealth Manager
The fall 2022 DAISY Awardee will be announced before the October 28 meeting of the CHCS Board of Directors! Join us in the Onaga Community Hospital Lobby at 8:30 a.m. or tune in to Facebook Live to see the announcement. We’ll share the full story in the November 3 E-Connection.
|
|
Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine now available |
|
You may have heard that new COVID-19 boosters have been approved and recommended. These boosters are bivalent vaccines, offering protection against COVID-19 along with the omicron variant. The updated boosters are now available at CHCS clinics.
Individuals recommended to receive a bivalent COVID-19 booster are as follows.
-
For the Pfizer booster, anyone age 12 and up who has completed a primary vaccine series, with the last dose at least two months ago
-
For the Moderna booster, anyone age 18 and up who has completed a primary vaccine series, with the last dose at least two months ago
Those who are eligible for an updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster can receive a booster from a different manufacturer than the primary dose; so, if someone previously received a Pfizer vaccine, it’s fine to receive a Moderna bivalent booster, and vice versa.
COVID-19 boosters can be administered with other vaccines. Call any CHCS Clinic to schedule an appointment.
Editor's note: The information above has been shared on our blog and social media as well as with local newspapers.
|
|
CHCS clinics recognized for 7th straight year |
|
“The PCMH designation means that our clinics offer a higher quality of care. When a patient is seen for an appointment, our care teams aim to focus on the overall health of the patient. We take a holistic approach, instead of just looking at one aspect of the patient’s health,” said Merica Surdez, CHCS chief of provider and clinic operations.
In the State of Kansas, only 67 General/Family Practice clinics have achieved the NCQA’s PCMH recognition. CHCS clinics in Onaga, Frankfort, Holton, Centralia, Westmoreland, and St. Marys are among them for the seventh year in a row. The clinics were initially certified in 2017.
Manda Thompson, RN and Quality Specialist at CHCS, serves as PCMH coordinator. Thank you for your work on a rigorous review and certification process, Manda!
|
|
If you've ever recovered from an injury or surgery or dealt with chronic pain, you know how important physical therapy can be! Our PT team cares for outpatients in four locations, plus provides hospital and home health services. They encourage patients and help them maintain or improve quality of life, and they help everyone understand the value of regular physical activity.
October is Physical Therapy Month, so it's the perfect time to thank this amazing team! We appreciate everything you do for our patients and communities.
|
|
Centralia/Frankfort
- Steve Land, PT
- Teresa Koch, PTA
- Stephani Rumbo, PTA
- Lyndsi Morton, Reception
|
|
|
|
|
Holton
- Jen Hutfles, PT
- Sue Figge, PTA
|
|
|
|
St. Marys
- Nathan Bailey, PT
- Linda Christen, PTA
- Ginger Flach, PTA
- Kennedy Nunneley, PTA
- Matthew Salerno, PTA
|
|
Onaga
- Andrea Lutz, PT
- Maribelle Collado, PT
- Derek Surdez, PT
- Chelsey Glatczak, PTA
- Nikki Marten, PTA
- Kelsey Edwards, Reception
- Janet Haug, Reception
|
|
Community Home Care Equipment goes curbside October 24 |
|
The Community Home Care Equipment store will be under construction from October 24 through December 31. During that time, the store will provide curbside service to patients and customers.
Anyone who needs assistance should call 785-889-5018. Curbside pickup will be available on the west end of Onaga Community Hospital's parking lot near the Community HomeHealth building. Look for the yellow flag on the west side of Associate Parking.
Hours of operation will remain Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
|
|
EAP Zoom will be rescheduled |
|
An all-associate Zoom meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 18 will be rescheduled.
Please watch your email for a new time to learn more about our Employee Assistance Program. The meeting will include a brief presentation from VITAL WorkLife staff and time for questions.
In the meantime, learn more about the program on our website. Questions? Contact Human Resources.
|
|
Your department's wish could be granted! |
|
CHCS departments, long-term care units, and clinics may apply for small grants from the Greater Giving Wish List fund to meet program or patient needs that emerge after budgets are established or for needs that budgets have not been able to accommodate.
-
Applications and guidelines are available in PowerDMS.
- The deadline to apply is October 31.
- Remember that your manager and director must approve the request.
|
|
Relias courses are due December 15 |
|
Relias courses have been assigned and are available now. All courses must be completed by December 15.
The login page includes a password recovery option. If you need help, please contact HR.
|
|
Birth Center nurses attend S.T.A.B.L.E. training |
|
|
|
Birth Center RNs Katie Kufahl, Cheryl Bailey, Jenna Fordham, and Tiffany Ronnebaum (plus Lacey Niehues, not pictured) recently attended a training from the S.T.A.B.L.E. Program. The program is design to provide important information about neonatal stabilization for maternal/infant healthcare providers in all settings. A uniform, standardized process of care and comprehensive team approach can improve the infant's overall stability, safety and outcome.
|
|
We are happy to have the following associates join us. Welcome to CHCS!
-
Danielle Lottman, Patient Account Rep, Onaga Business Office
-
Melissa Cooper, Access Services, Onaga
|
|
Important reminders and community events
-
A St. Marys Community Blood Drive is planned for Friday, October 28 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at the Centennial Building, Immaculate Conception Church, 208 W. Bertrand Ave. Book your appointment at savealifenow.org/group and enter Group Code TPJB. Questions? Call or email John Simecka, 785-213-0567.
-
Onaga Historical Society is holding its Fall Drawing with two wonderful prizes on October 29. View a flyer to find details on where to purchase tickets, the prizes, and more.
-
Onaga will host a Trick-or-Treat Trail outside of Redbud Plaza Assisted Living again this year. Departments are invited to decorate a table with prizes for the best decor and the best costume! Candy will be provided. View a flyer for details.
|
|
-
GET YOUR FLU SHOT! Click the flyer at right to expand and find dates, times, and locations, plus more important info. Flu shots are mandatory for all CHCS associates. The deadline is October 28. Please have your Flu Vaccination & Health Assessment form completed before you arrive. Find the document in PowerDMS.
|
|
Coffee and Gift Shop Delights |
|
 |
Specials
October 17-21: Caramel Apple Latte
October 24-28: White Pumpkin Mocha (white chocolate and pumpkin)
-
16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
New Friday special: Hot cider!
|
|
|
|
CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
View menus for:
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
|
|
Holton Clinic hosted a second drive-through flu vaccine clinic earlier this week, and a third is planned for next week.
As you can see, they are a "beary" special group!
|
|
A special guest entertained everyone at the associate flu shot clinic on Tuesday in Onaga. Little Autumn is a 7-week-old Australian Shepherd. Jaiden Thomas brought her to visit, but Autumn was very sleepy (and soft). IT Director Dom Freeman took his turn petting the tired puppy!
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
