March 10, 2020
Hi Team!
As a health system committed to improving the health and wellness of our community, we are taking our responsibility very seriously to prepare for and respond proactively and thoroughly to the growing international spread of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). And over the past nearly three months, we’ve done exactly that.
Recognizing the heightened level of team member concern and questions about this public health threat, I am devoting this Weekly Update to reassure you that as a system, we are doing everything possible to Prepare for, Prevent the spread of, and provide Perspective in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Preparedness: TriHealth is covering all bases to ensure our system, our clinical and operational teams, our patients, and the greater Cincinnati community are fully prepared for – and well protected against – this emerging public health risk. In fact, we formed our Coronavirus Workgroup nearly three months ago when early cases were first reported in China. Since then, the Workgroup has been meeting at least weekly to prepare. And Dr. Joseph, TriHealth’s Chief Medical Officer and Dr. Blatt, TriHealth’s Medical Director of Infectious Diseases, have been providing regular comprehensive updates and status reports to team members and physicians, including the latest sent last Friday. Click here to review these updates, along with our detailed COVID-19 preparation plans, advisory documents, and resources, also available on Bridge.
Prevention: While the COVID-19 illness still has many unknowns, what we DO know is that the prevention measures are IDENTICAL to current preventive protocols for the flu and other respiratory diseases: frequent hand washing, stay home when sick or experiencing flu like symptoms, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. So if you consistently follow these easy and familiar practices each day, you can feel confident knowing you are doing what’s best to protect yourself and others, not only from COVID-19, but from the many other upper respiratory illnesses already prevalent in our community, like the flu.
Perspective: While it can be unsettling to hear the seemingly non-stop news coverage and media updates about the global spread of this new and serious virus, it’s important to maintain perspective and respond calmly and appropriately based on facts, not fear. Some important facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to remember:
- As of March 9, there were just over 114,000 documented cases of Coronavirus, with 4,000 deaths WORLDWIDE. And more than 80% of these cases experienced only MILD symptoms, with nearly 63,000 cases already FULLY RECOVERED.
- In comparison, to date in the U.S. ALONE during this year’s 2019/20 flu season, there have been an estimated 32 MILLION documented cases of the FLU, 310,000 hospitalizations, and more than 18,000 deaths – and this has occurred WITH a vaccine available.
So while we will remain vigilant and proactive in our Coronavirus preparation and prevention efforts, it’s important to maintain perspective and continue to live our daily lives, just as we do today – and every year – in the midst of an active flu season. And we also want to help our community do the same. To do so, TriHealth has teamed with Channel 12 to produce an ongoing educational video series for the public on Coronavirus, featuring our own Dr. Stephen Blatt. Click here and here to see the latest broadcasts.
What we know about COVID-19 is evolving each day, and it is only normal for you to have questions and even concerns. To continue to keep you up-to-date and well informed, Dr. Blatt and the Coronavirus Work Group will soon be conducting Coronavirus Town Halls with Panel Discussions and extensive time for Q&A. These Town Halls will be live video streamed and also recorded for later viewing to ensure all TriHealth physicians and team members can participate. Look for details in the coming days.
Thank you for all you are doing to help us keep our team members, patients, and the community at large feeling informed, safe and well protected, and at ease during this time of understandable heightened concern.
Reminder: Last Chance to Participate in the Workplace Inclusion Survey!
The deadline to complete the Workplace Inclusion Survey in support of TriHealth’s cultural competency work is this Friday, March 13. Check your inbox for an email from the Kaleidoscope Group with a link to participate, or text WPI2020 to 22333 to participate. Anyone who completes the survey by March 13 will be eligible to win a $25 gift card!
Save the Date: HR Forums Begin March 23
Mark your calendars to attend an HR Forum, beginning the week of March 23. We’ll focus on the HR topics that are most important to you, as well as offering plenty of time for open discussion and dialogue. Visit Bridge for the full HR Forum schedule.
Getting an Interpreter Through Voalte is as “Easy as Pie” Starting on Pi Day 3.14
TriHealth is leading the way as the first healthcare system in the Midwest to deploy the “Interpreters” app on system wide Voalte One iPhones. Starting on Saturday, March 14, you will always have an interpreter at your fingertips. Learn more on Bridge.
One Month to Complete Social Media Training in TriHealth Learn
“Overview of Social Media Use at TriHealth” has been assigned to all team members, leaders and physicians in TriHealth Learn to be completed by Wednesday, April 15, 2020. This education provides a general review of how to effectively use social media to interact with TriHealth accounts and fellow team members in a professional manner, and to be ambassadors for TriHealth on social media. This course is mandatory and will result in corrective action if not completed successfully.
Kronos Upgrade: Scheduled Downtime March 18
An upgrade for Kronos is coming on Wednesday, March 18, which will cause Kronos to be unavailable the entire day. Badge swipe at timeclocks will not be impacted, but PC or computer clocking and any editing/scheduling work in Kronos will be unavailable. Kronos will be available again on March 19. For documentation about using Kronos and the new upgrade, visit Bridge.
LifeStyles Weekly Health Tip
Have you checked out LifeStyles’ new Self-Submission Scorecard yet? If not, you read it right – you do not need to submit documentation of your completed Scorecard items to LifeStyles this year! Simply follow these instructions to receive credit for items you’ve completed. For a complete breakdown of the 2020 LifeStyles Scorecard, click here. Email lifestyles@trihealth.com or call 513-346-5140 with any questions!
Weekly Huddle Message: Struggling to Answer the “How are you promoting awareness of Always Behaviors” Question?
You are not alone. That’s why SOAR has created a tool to help educate, hardwire, and promote our Always Behaviors. This Quick Reference Guide can be found on the SOAR page on Bridge. Check it out and stay tuned for a roadmap to Always Behaviors success!
Yes.
Posted by: Karen Schreyer on March 11, 2020
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Should re really be having the team-member forums?
Posted by: Linda Chatterjee on March 11, 2020
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