Employee E-Letter
Friday, October 6, 2023
Flu Vaccine Clinic!!!
There is only ONE Flu Clinic remaining!
Make sure to stop by or bring in documentation of vaccination to Occ Health!
Any employee not vaccinated by October 26th, 2023, will be taken off schedule until documentation is presented.
We ask that everyone fill this form out prior to arriving to the clinic!
(If you are having problems completing the form, we will have limited iPads available at the clinics for you to use for this purpose)
This form can be completed at any time prior to coming to a Flu Clinic and does NOT require you to select a clinic date that you are planning to come to.
ACCESSING THE FLU VACCINE FORM:
The flu vaccine form can be accessed through CLARITY.
You can scan the QR code on the below flyer, click the below link, or open clarity on any Gritman device!
Gritman Culture with Candice
Happy Fall Ya’ll! I hope everyone has been able to get out and about to enjoy the beautiful fall colors. I wanted to communicate some information about upcoming fall events with our entire Gritman family. However, before I share event information, I want to tell a story I heard last week that relates to our Gritman events. It profoundly hit close to home and I am excited to share it with ya’ll today.
As we go into the Holiday season, I believe that we all can relate to this season being one of gifts and presents. While the words ‘gift’ and ‘present’ are often used interchangeably, they do actually have some differences in meaning and usage. A ‘gift’ is something that an individual gives to another as a token of appreciation, love, or affection whereas a ‘present’ is given in order to celebrate an occasion or to show recognition. The word ‘gift’ comes from the old Germanic root for ‘to give’, while the word ‘present’ comes from the French word for ‘to present’. When we gift something to others, it is something that we choose for them to have. In contrast, a present to another would be something that is selected specifically for the individual based upon their preferences.
More simply, a gift would be something that we would want to give to another whereas a present would be something that another would want to receive! Let me explain. Take a moment and think of your favorite sports team, your favorite color, and your favorite snack. If you were to receive a coffee cup with your favorite sports team logo, in your favorite color, and filled with your favorite snack – that would be a present. However, if I were to gift you a cup with my favorite sports team (the Pittsburgh Steelers) in my favorite color (Blue) and filled with my favorite snack (Jalapeno Cheetos!) my ‘gift’ might not mean as much to you.
For the last few years, Gritman has been GIFTING Holiday pies to our Gritman team. Selections were based upon what we could order and many times employees felt they had to pick from what was left. This year, the rewards and recognition team is working with a local MOSCOW baker and we would like to offer a PRESENT. Staff will be able to select their pie flavor and even select a gluten free option. Please click HERE or scan the QR code to let us know what you prefer for your PIE present this year before October 31st! We are very excited to be able to consider what works best for you and your family as our organization focuses in on your preferences. Honestly, I can’t think of a better explanation of what makes Gritman so special and unique as an organization and an employer. This is our Gritman Way in action.
FALL EVENTS
Pumpkin Carving – October 26th
Pie Giveaway – November
Gingerbread House Contest – December
If your team still needs to secure a pumpkin or gingerbread house, please contact Cera (cbaldwin@gritman.org) in the administration department. We can’t wait to celebrate the creativity during the Holiday season.
Onward and Upward!
Candice
Pumpkin Carving Contest Info
For those departments that won last year, please bring your trophy to the Administrative office by October 20th. All pumpkins are due by October 26th for our October All Staff!
As a reminder, the categories are:
- Best Carved
- Best Painted/Decorated
- Most Unique
- Cutest
- Scariest
- Grand Prize
We look forward to seeing your creations this year!
Thank You for Making Our 2023 Pink Tea/Pink Cocktail A Success!
Did you know that there needs to be at least 18 inches of open space between a sprinkler head and any storage? The following was taken from the Life Safety chapter of the Joint Commission Manual:
LS.02.01.35 EP 6: There are 18 inches or more of open space maintained below the sprinkler to the top of storage.
Note: The 18-inch applies only to areas that have sprinklers installed.
Picture a horizontal plane parallel to the ceiling that is 18 inches below the sprinkler heads. Nothing should be in that area between the bottom of the sprinkler heads and the imaginary horizontal plane parallel to the ceiling that is 18 inches below. This is done to allow an even and unobstructed spray pattern from the sprinklers when triggered to extinguish the fire.
Please check your areas and ensure that all storage items, equipment, etc. is set 18 inches from sprinkler heads!
The annual AHRQ Survey on Patient Safety Culture is now live and will run the month of October!
This anonymous survey is an opportunity to share feedback regarding patient safety issues, medical errors, and event reporting within our organization. This ultimately helps to implement positive changes and it continues to improve the delivery of exceptional care to patients. Additionally, this survey is required by the Joint Commission. We appreciate your participation in this survey!
This year, the AHRQ Survey is being ran through Clarity, our incident reporting system. To access this survey:
1. Visit Clarity (through Work Resources or by https://events.healthcaresafetyzone.com/EventsModuleWeb/default.aspx?cs=d1628217-6a58-42db-8a2a-c188b54a82c2 )
2. Select “Submit Event”
3. Select “AHRQ Hospital” if you are within the hospital, and “AHRQ Clinic” if you are in a Primary Care Clinic or a Specialty Care Clinic (Therapy Solutions is NOT considered a clinic – they are considered a department of the hospital).
4. At the top, include the date you are completing the survey under “Event Date/Time”
5. Once the survey is complete, please include your location and submit.
Please reach out to Connie Osborn or Elana Estill with questions – we are happy to help!
On Parking....
Watch for upcoming dates for Crucial Conversations! We will offer a two-day in-person session after the beginning of the year!
MOAB Training:
New employees who haven't taken MOAB can register for the following dates:
MOAB, Management of Aggressive Behavior - Dec 15, 2023 - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
MOAB, Management of Aggressive Behavior - Dec 21, 2023 - 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
MOAB, Management of Aggressive Behavior - Jan 31, 2024 - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Click here to register >>> https://www.gritman.org/events/tags/moab/
*MOAB is a two-year certification. Employees that are current will be assigned a renewal in HealthStream.
2023 AIDET Schedule
If the below dates do not work for your schedule, employees can also attend the AIDET section of New Hire Orientation that happens the first Wednesday of every month!
October
Tuesday the 17th 6:30 & 7am || Friday the 20th 4:30 & 5pm
4th Quarter | Teams
Thursday, November 9th at 10am
November
Tuesday the 14th 4:30 & 5pm || Friday the 17th 6:30 & 7am
December
Tuesday the 12th 4:30 & 5pm || Friday the 15th 6:30 & 7am
Superstars
- "Kudos to Rachael Monroe at the Vandal Health Clinic. Her interaction with the patients is very much like having a caring mom in the clinic. Great job Rachael for being that caring voice for our students."
- Huge thank you to Dennis who helped Penny with a carpet cleaner over the weekend who came a day later than anticipated. Dennis came in on his day off to hold the doors at MOBIII so the cleaner could spend some time on the carpets. Thank you, Dennis, for all you do! We appreciate you!
- Submitted by Susie Christopher: "I just got to give a "Shout Out" & "Kudos " to Kevin in IT! One thing you take for granted when you work at the hospital is that IT can stop by your office and always fix your computer - you KNOW you will be up and running soon! I don't take it for granted anymore being remote - I know that IT people can fix things at a distance but with busy schedules, and unclear phone descriptions of what is going wrong - it is truly a talent and special skill to get a remote computer with issues up and running smoothly! Just wanted y'all to know what an amazing and helpful employee Kevin is! He does it without a condescending attitude - also very appreciated!
- Submitted by Mary Skoglund via Clarity: "Patient wanted to be sure that the hostesses, Sandy and Jennifer were recognized for their work and care for her. She states that their service has been "par excellence". They worked with her to discover foods that sounded good and tried many things despite her poor appetite and lack of interest in food."
- Donald, Nathan, and Jake in EVS have been described as "hard workers and super on top of it". Their hard work is noticed, and the staff are very grateful for their attention. Way to go!
- Major shout out to Jan and Jill in the Lab. After discovering a temperature issue in the Lab, the pair worked swiftly to save inventory. We appreciate your quick response on this matter, team!
- Huge thanks to Kris and Dennis who worked late after discovering computer issues in the mechanical room. The pair was here late into the night working through things in order to keep temperatures low and monitored. We couldn't do it without you both! Thank you!
- Submitted by Jennifer Grinage via Clarity: "Lynn Clemm, RN has developed into such a strong and amazing person and nurse since joining our Troy team. She had floated out to us a few times previously and I KNEW there was something about her and I knew she would be a great fit for our Community's needs. When she came out here full time - we were so excited-that is an understatement. We have watched her grow into a confident, eager nurse who is a great patient advocate who is always ready for action and - she helps Sylina keep me in line..big job! One of Lynn's best best best qualities is her ability to connect with people in their time of fear and vulnerability and make everything "ok" and reassure them that WE are not leaving them and WE will be the team that fights together for them. She must have Ativan gloves and she has the true sincerity in her heart. I have seen her calm many of most anxious and upset patients, and our chronic pain/detoxing patients with simple words and hold the head of small child in C-spine and calm his fears while talking in some odd made up sign language to make the scary ambulance ride into a fun personal parade. I get a lump in my throat seeing the image in my head. Anyway, I am blessed to have the team I have and I could write novels about each one! This time, I wanted to highlight Lynn Clemm RN's magic for a minute. She's a keeper. Thanks for all you do! - JAG"
- Submitted by Ruby Renteria: "Yesterday was a bit of a rough day and Halley was amazing and rocked it. She deserves recognition. Even when she didn't feel good she was rooming patients, charting, and doing consents and helping us with whatever we needed help with. If we can clone her or something that would be amazing".
- Wonderful job to all that assisted with Pink Tea and Pink Cocktails yesterday (10/10). The event was well put together, well attended, and a phenomenal event overall!
- Imaging has passed the ACR certification for CT. Great job, team!
- Huge shout out to CNA Megan Johnsen who majorly stepped up for the team during staffing constraints. The staff would like you to know, Megan, that they couldn't do it without you!
- Kudos to Derek Nordio who responded immediately after hearing of a backed up drain in Childcare. Derek's swift action helped to resolve a less-than-desirable situation, quickly. Thank you for all you do, Derek!
- Many thanks to Dennis and the entire Engineering team for their constant support. The team is called daily for one reason or another, and they always move quickly into action. Not only that, but they are met with many challenges that they ultimately resolve for us all. Thank you for all you do, team. You're amazing!
- Huge shout out to the Therapy Solutions team. They are doing an incredible job battling extreme staffing constraints while navigating new processes. The team shows up to work with a smile, and they do what is best for patients. Thank you all for your hard work. We support you!
- Wonderful job to Tina Sperry and Brittany Hopkins who have worked through pre-admission testing for RFA's in the pain clinic. The work of Tina and Brittany has helped keep the team out of Paragon. This has proved to be successful by several procedures so far. Way to go!
- Christina Metcalf, Denise Brown, Mary Glaze, Danielle Engle, and CaseyJo Owens have been doing a phenomenal job collaborating to help fix processes, order sets, communication, systems, and more. The team has been digging deep to figure out the root cause of various issues and are working hard to actively fix things. This is a massive undertaking, and everyone has been incredible! Further, Dr. Parker has been instrumental in data collection to help drive change. Thank you all for your amazing work!
- Wonderful job to the entire EVS department for the high number AHRQ survey responses! Not only does EVS have the highest number of respondents organization-wide, but they are close to having the entire department surveyed. Thank you for providing your input, team!
- Kudos to Penny for finding a large error in the Downtown Clinic order, and helping them fix it!
Submit any questions you may have regarding anything Gritman-related to Cera Baldwin (cera.baldwin@gritman.org), Danielle Breed (danielle.breed@gritman.org), or Candice Allen (candice.allen@gritman.org).
These questions are addressed by our administrative team.
The Gritman Way Award 2023
One of the many ways we can honor and recognize these outstanding individuals is by nominating them for The Gritman Way award.
Staff Reminder- CALL Susie Christopher at 6022 or (509) 288-0626 NOT Employee Health for illness
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE ALLERGIES or ARE EXPERIENCING A SCRATCHY SORE THROAT-
Please do not come to work with any of the following:
- sore throat
- nasal congestion or runny nose
- headache
- fatigue
- skin rashes
- fever and/or chills
- cough
- shortness of breath
- muscle aches
- loss of taste or smell
- vomiting or diarrhea
if you show any of the above symptoms, please stay at home and call Susie.