FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

KUDOS FOR CARING


A patient who had just returned from a pre-op appointment at St. Luke’s called to say how stunned and shocked she was at how wonderful the pre-op office is run. She felt incredibly cared for and safe. She stated all staff she encountered were extremely professional.
 
She had dreaded this appointment for weeks thinking she would be in with a room full of sick people. Not the case at all - her appointment was at 11:05 am and no one was in the waiting room. As she was coming out another patient was going in. Extremely well run.
 
She thanked me for the wonderful experience and I told her I would surely pass it on.

-    Grateful patient in a call to Risk Management

THE LATEST ON VACCINE MANDATES

 

I know that the looming deadline of September 27 for all New York State healthcare workers to be vaccinated is on all of our minds. There’s a lot of confusion about what’s happening across the country and with the recent court challenge in NYS over the lack of a religious exemption in the State’s mandate. I’d like to clarify a few items.
 
First, the recent legal challenge in New York State is limited to the issue about the mandate not including a religious exemption. It does not change the September 27 deadline for all healthcare workers to be vaccinated. We have absolutely no indication that the deadline for the mandate is going to change.
 
Second, national workers in all organizations receiving funding from Medicare and Medicaid will be required to be vaccinated – and that’s every hospital in the nation as well as most other healthcare organizations. The federal government is currently working on regulations to implement this mandate.
 
The fact is that if you work in healthcare – and would like to continue to do so – you must be vaccinated. And, in New York, that means by September 27.
 
I know this is a challenge for some of you and we respect that; this is your choice. But, I will continue to encourage you to be vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s important to protect yourself, your family and your loved ones. It’s important to protect our patients. It’s our responsibility to keep our patients and employees safe and this is one way to achieve that.
 
We have vaccine PODs every day and are implementing (beginning this weekend) “vaccine rounds” where we bring vaccines to units at both hospitals. We have physicians available to talk with you about your medical concerns, and have been hosting a series of Zoom forums – take advantage of these resources to have your questions answered. Our goal is to support you as you make your decision about the vaccine and your future in healthcare.
 
At the same time, I meet almost daily with hospital executives, the hospital associations and the NYS Department of Health, to talk about how we are collectively going to keep caring for our patients and community members. There’s no doubt about it, there is going to be disruption in the state’s healthcare system, and we are doing everything we can to minimize that disruption.
 
It is certainly a trying time in our history. We’re all tired of this pandemic and the impact it has had on our lives and jobs. But, now more than ever, it’s important to be kind and support each other. Recently I received a note about a unit secretary who saw how hard her colleagues were working to take care of patients in spite of their own stresses. In her own words, she said, “So I wanted to do something nice for them and try to lift the morale a little. It is something small but I reached out to Stewart's and they are sending gift certificates for me to give out to them so they can get a free sundae or milkshake. I know it’s not much but I just wanted to do something nice for them since they are a great bunch.” How great is that? Please remember this story and show compassion and kindness to each other during these difficult days.

MVHS RECEIVES GET WITH THE GUIDELINES FOR 11TH STRAIGHT YEAR

 

For the 11th year in a row, we have received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®- Stroke Gold Plus with Honor Roll quality achievement award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.
 
We earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

The Stroke Program also received the Association’s Target: Type 2 DiabetesSM Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90 percent of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score."
 
Way to go stroke team! Congratulations!

A NOTE ABOUT THE AHRQ SURVEY

 

I have heard from many of you that trying to access the AHRQ survey has been challenging and that you’re frustrated. I hear you! Based on your feedback we have created an alternative way to access the survey – through a direct link rather than through NetLearning. The key issue has been that you cannot open or complete the survey through Internet Explorer. The survey is hosted by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. You have to use Google Chrome. Here’s full instructions on how to access the survey and how to ensure you’re entered for our prize drawings. Sorry for the inconvenience and confusion – that’s what happens sometimes when you use another organization’s tools.

SAFETY BEGINS WITH ME


This week’s traveling huddle was held on the Peds unit at St. Luke’s. The staff was certainly busy there today and very gracious to host us. Thanks much!

Also, we are moving forward with HRO training for all staff. Given the pressures on clinical staff right now, we are recommending that other nonclinical areas in the organization begin training now. The schedule is on NetLearning. Be sure to work with your manager to appropriately schedule your time and coverage. Thank you!

CELEBRATING OUR STAFF THIS WEEK!


This week was quite a busy week of celebration for our healthcare professionals. Thank you for all you do!

Nephrology Nurses Week
 
It is Nephrology Nurses Week! Every day, nephrology nurses use their education, skill sets and kind demeanor to provide kidney patients with life-saving – and life-changing – services. Join us in celebrating our nephrology nurses!

Clinical Documentation Integrity Week

This week we also celebrated our CDI specialists. These professionals review patient medical records and assess whether all conditions and treatments are documented. This documentation helps paint an accurate picture of the severity of the patient’s illness and the extent of the care required. While they may not always be visible, their work is extremely important to our organization! Keep up the great work!
Housekeeping and Environmental Services Week

And, it’s International Housekeepers and Environmental Services Week, which is dedicated to recognizing the efforts of hard-working custodial staff members. During a global pandemic, we have seen these unsung heroes on the front lines keeping our facilities clean and safe for those who come to us for care, work and visits.
 
We encourage you to celebrate with us by recognizing our cleaning and EVS associates.

UPDATE ON THE WYNN HOSPITAL


Last week we reported that the brickwork around the podium of The Wynn Hospital was more than 50 percent complete. This is great progress and I'm excited to see the final product! In this week's Just the Facts, we talked about the Hydro Mobile, a mobile mast-climbing work platform system being used by the masons who are installing the bricks. The Hydro Mobile is a versatile modular hydraulic system of various components that allows the work platforms to be configured to suit many types of unique working conditions including uneven terrain, working at angles/on ramps and around corners of a building. Click here to learn more and check out the pictures below!

HIGH TEA CART MAKING ROUNDS FOR PATIENTS!


The Patient High Tea Cart went out twice this week at both hospitals. The cart contains herbal teas, coffee and treats and gives the Sodexo Managers an opportunity to engage with patients. The patients love this special treat, giving them a reason to smile! Our Food and Nutrition team plans to keep this going at least twice a week. Thanks for providing special treats for our patients!

IN MEMORIAM – GENE HUGHES


We were saddened to learn of the passing of Eugene "Gene" R. Hughes. Gene was a great friend to this organization, serving as a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) and the Quality Excellence Council. The Chair of the PFAC in her note to members remembered Gene as “wise, witty, and a vital advocate for anyone facing health challenges.” Our condolences to his family and friends.

GOFUNDME FOR WYNN HOSPITAL SITE WORKER


Recently, Tony Polidori, a pipe fitter working for The Wynn Hospital project, died suddenly while he was home. He was 33 years old and leaves behind a 6-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. The Gilbane Building Company staff have started a GoFundMe for his family. If you would like to make a gift to Tony’s family, please click the following link: https://gofund.me/5c194415.

PROSTATE CANCER SCREENINGS START TODAY


The first session of free prostate cancer screenings started today in the MVHS Upstate Urology office. Thank you to the team for organizing this important screening for the men of our community. Click here for more information on how to register for a future session.

And I had to share the COVID punching bag in the St. E's ED. Too funny!

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MVHS · 1675 Bennett St · Utica, NY 13502-5390 · USA

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