Edition 1

Hi All,

I wanted to try out a new venue for sharing information about the work occurring at our organization. This has been recommended by a few people, and aligns with the work in our 2024 Strategic Plan. It also gives me another platform to shamelessly share cute pictures of my kids. I'll try to create a newsletter every month or as important events occur. Feel free to reach out if you have any suggestions for topics to cover.

This newsletter will be available on the Employee Intranet Page and allows you to make comments.

Extended Care Survey:

The EC has surveyors onsite this week conducting their recertification survey. I’ll share how it went in my next newsletter.

Facility Update:

The asbestos abatement is done in the basement, and the general contractors are back onsite finishing up demo and testing pipes we hope to reuse.

Census:

Our census has been super low over the last months and the team is working hard to find us appropriate patients. ED admissions and Swing Bed referrals primarily drive our census. The ED has been super busy, but not many patients have been admitted. The Swing Bed referrals are also sparse right now, but we have been actively connecting with our referral partners. We had a busy day yesterday and our census jumped up quite a bit.

AC Manager:

We are completing final interviews and hope to announce our next AC Manager soon. This person will work in the same role that Kristy Terzi did and serve as the lead Swing Bed/Discharge Planner with additional support.

Behavioral Health:

Our new BH workers, Heather and Julie are orienting and training with our consultant Dr. Rickard, for their work as part of the ED Triage Project. We are still learning through the system, billing, and processes but are excited to have them onsite.

COVID & Flu:

The CDC just removed the authorization for the existing COVID vaccines, and until the new versions are on the market, we won’t have any to offer. We do have flu shots available. I got mine on Friday from Jody, and neither of us cried. Stay tuned for a flu shot clinic day for all employees, but if you are excited to get yours, you can ask at the AC Nursing Station.

Masking:

We have started to see both increased COVID and flu in the community. Although we are not under any masking requirements at the moment, that will change once active flu season begins. “Active Flu Season” is triggered by case activity, and employees who decline the flu vaccine will be required to wear masks in patient care areas as described in our Employee Health Flu Policy.

In addition, Okanogan Public Health, the State of Washington, or the Federal government/agencies may reinstitute universal masking in healthcare settings based on COVID prevalence.

Quote of the Week:

“I want an answer, but only the right answer.” -Teresa Webber

What I’m looking forward to:

A break from chicken-related projects….

A few months ago, my 6-year-old daughter left the Rodeo in tears after failing to catch a chicken in the Chicken Race. Like the sucker I am, I ordered some chicks right away.

At first it was easy. A cardboard box and a homemade feeder.

Before long we needed a coop, and my daughter was convinced they needed windows. My son helped me build it.

But then we realized we needed a fence.

We don’t always see eye-to-eye about the role these chickens should play in our family

But now that the coop and fence are complete I’m hoping I can spend less of my weekends building things for chickens. It doesn't seem likely.