Today, in the midst of this continuing global pandemic, we mark another historic event for our country – Election Day. I voted early and was inspired by the thousands of citizens participating in our democracy and fulfilling their civic duty by voting. If you haven’t done so yet, I hope you exercise your right to vote today. And that regardless of the outcome, we come together after this election respecting the will of the people as ONE nation, indivisible, so we may restore, rebuild, and renew our nation in strength and service to ALL.

TriHealth Ready as Third Wave of COVID Intensifies. The reality of the third COVID wave is now here. And while we hoped we would be able to avoid it, we are fully coordinated with the region’s

other health systems and are ready to activate and escalate our response in unison based on the trajectory of the surge. As shared last week, we do not anticipate another state-imposed shutdown in elective procedures or new furloughs, and are confident that by working closely with the other health systems in the region, we can successfully manage the increase in cases this surge is likely to bring. The graphic below summarizes how we are coordinating regional activation of surge plans and “load balancing” (transfer of patients between systems, when necessary) to ensure our community is well served, even amid this COVID-19 third wave. As we plan for a likely third-wave scenario in which we will need to operate at maximum capacity, we are also planning for and expect to be operating at full or even higher staffing levels in the coming months. So we are doing everything possible to be ready to safely care for every patient who needs us, while continuing to keep every TriHealth physician and team member safe, supported, and well during the continuing COVID pandemic! TriHealth’s commitment to stay open, and our comprehensive plans for safely doing so, were featured in a Cincinnati Business Courier article published on Monday, Nov. 2, which you can read by clicking here.

Please, let’s continue to do our part together to flatten the curve of this latest wave by strictly adhering to our COVID Always Behaviors both at work and in our personal lives – it’s never been more important! Thank you!!

Your Safety and Wellbeing Remain Our Top Priority. With rising COVID cases inside TriHealth and in our community, we recognize our front-line clinical team members and physicians may have increased concern about exposing loved ones at home to COVID. So just as we did during the early days of this pandemic, we are once again making hotel accommodations available to those who would prefer to avoid even the current small risk of family exposure. This time though, TriHealth will cover the cost of accommodations as yet another way to help lessen the burden of – and show our appreciation for – the continued sacrifices our team members are making to allow us to stay open and care for our patients. To learn more, please click here to access our COVID resource page and scroll down to the “HR & Workforce Resources” section to download the eligibility information and application form.

COVID Realities Prompt Refresh of TriHealth Strategic Plan and Priorities. In light of this unprecedented and ongoing global pandemic and the ripple effects on business, the economy, and governments, TriHealth recently launched a process to reason test our strategic priorities, given the likely near and longer-term effects of COVID on consumer behavior, economic conditions, and the regulatory and

Information Blocking Update. As a way of further expanding patient access to their own medical information, the federal government instituted the 20^th Century Cures Act, which requires

 immediate sharing of results and notes via electronic medical records (in our case,MyChart), as soon as they are available. TriHealth is implementing workflows to fully prepare the organization to be compliant with the regulations in early November. Release of information will occur at the time these items are completed in the ambulatory setting, and at time of discharge in the inpatient setting. Initially, only provider notes will be released, though our goal is to have all clinical notes released in coming months. Provisions for blocking release are available, but are restricted. For more information, click here.

Thank you for continuing to stay strong and resilient as we push forward together as true Healthcare Heroes in shared commitment to fulfill our mission to improve the health of all those we serve, always!

Don’t Miss Out on TriHealth Benefits!

It’s your last week – your last opportunity – to make sure you have benefits coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Visit HRCentral (Bridge > HRCentral > Benefits) to enroll before midnight on Nov. 6. If you do not take action you will not have another chance to enroll until next year. You can also visit Bridge for Open Enrollment information.

It's Your Last Chance to Get Your Flu Shot

All TriHealth team members, clinical and non-clinical, are required to get a flu vaccination by this Friday, Nov. 6. If you haven’t gotten yours yet, visit an Employee Health flu shot clinic, a TriHealth Priority Care location, a TriHealth Clinic at Walgreens location, your primary care physician, or another vendor by Friday and submit your paperwork. Visit Bridge for details.

2020 Annual Mandatory Education is Due Friday

All team members, medical staff, and APCs must complete the WBT20: Annual Mandatory Education (AME) in Learn no later than this Friday, Nov. 6. Set aside about two hours to complete all five activities in the course. Click here to access Learn or visit Bridge > Menu > Our TriHealth Learn > To Do.

Join TriHealth’s Inaugural African-American ERG

TRIBE (TriHealth Resource Initiative for Black Employees), our inaugural ERG for African-Americans and their allies, is looking for team members who identify as having African ancestral or familial heritage and team members of any race and ethnicity who want to be allies. If you are looking to cultivate constructive experiences for team members and our community, click here to join the TRIBE kick-off meeting on Monday, Nov. 16 from 12-1 pm.

Register for a FREE Financial Webcast on Nov. 10!

With COVID-19 ever-present, many Americans are faced with financial concerns that they carry with them all day, every day. Join us on Nov. 10, from 12:15-1:15pm for The Way Forward – Budgeting and Building an Emergency Fund webcast hosted by the financial experts at Prudential. Click here or call the Team Member Resource Center at 513 569 4000 to register. Team members can also participate from the Schreiner Room at Bethesda North Hospital or Conference Center Room C at Good Samaritan Hospital