October 20, 2020
Hi Team –
The alarming trend in new COVID-19 cases regionally and across the nation that I wrote about in last week’s Update continues, with Hamilton County’s R-factor now at 1.3 – representing a doubling of cases every ten days (see additional COVID weekly stats noted in sidebar to right). While it appears the majority of new cases are mild and occurring disproportionately within the 20 to 35-year-old age group (where the mortality rate is low), as we’ve seen throughout this COVID journey, the risk of COVID spreading to higher risk populations (those 70 and older and those with pre-existing health conditions) increases significantly with each new case in our community. While we are all experiencing “COVID fatigue,” we must continue to stay extra vigilant – and be an example to others about taking this virus seriously – by adhering to the simple COVID mitigation measures. And I would ask that you similarly encourage neighbors, friends, and family members to do the same. If not for themselves, then for the health and safety of vulnerable loved ones and community members at greater risk of complications and negative outcomes if they contract the virus. These simple, but effective, measures will protect ourselves and those around us…and keep our economy and healthcare system open!
It’s a Big Week for Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Work! Both here at TriHealth and on the national stage, TriHealth’s DEI initiatives, lessons learned, and FY2021 plans are on full display this week. On Monday, October 19, I had the honor of representing TriHealth at Modern Healthcare Magazine’s virtual panel discussion titled, A Conversation: How Racial Equity in Healthcare Starts in the C-Suite (and Boardroom). I joined fellow U.S. healthcare executives to discuss the healthcare industry imperatives for investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion as a key driver for achieving the Triple Aim – better care, better health, and better value for ALL! TriHealth’s guest column for Modern Healthcare Magazine’s Breaking Bias opinion/editorial series (co-written by David Cook, TriHealth CHRO and me) also published this week, which you can click here to read. And on Tuesday, October 20 at 12noon, we’ll hold our special DEI Town Hall to close out our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, which you can view live on Bridge or Facebook. Marla Silliman and I will co-host this Town Hall, featuring a panel of Hispanic physicians and clinicians – including Dr. Rosa Robles, Dr. Angel Mena, Dr. Betsy Peerless, and Grace Casellas, RN – who will share their cultural experiences and stories. We will also discuss our FY2021 Diversity and inclusion initiatives and progress. If you miss the live session, click here to view the DEI Town Hall video on Bridge.
Introducing HOC Navigators – Hospice of Cincinnati’s (HOC) New Fully-Integrated Model for Advanced Illness and End of Life Care. I’m excited to share that we are taking another important step forward on our journey to get healthcare right – right care, right place, right time, right value – with the launch of HOC Navigators! HOC Navigators brings together under one umbrella Hospice of Cincinnati, home-based PalliaCare, hospital and clinic-based Palliative Medicine, and supportive services – including Advance Care Planning, Social Connections, Goldstein Family Grief Center, and Fernside Center for Grieving Children – all to better deliver on our promise to provide exceptional, fully integrated care for every stage of life and every state of health! Through HOC Navigators, physicians and other providers, along with patients and family members across the region will have one-stop access to the full spectrum of advanced illness and end-of-life care services, supported by compassionate experts who can guide them through every step of this often-complex healthcare journey. The mission of HOC Navigators is to create the best and most meaningful advanced illness and end-of-life experience for all who need this care and support. Through the HOC Navigators Program, the total care and services needed will seamlessly evolve as the illness progresses, eliminating the stressful burden of care coordination on providers, patients, and family members. And starting November 1, HOC Navigators and our Hospice of Cincinnati clinical operations will convert to our Epic EMR, making it even easier for TriHealth providers to seamlessly refer and manage patients with end-of-life and advanced care needs. To learn more about HOC Navigators and the services provided, call 513-891-7700 or visit hospiceofcincinnati.org.
Congratulations and a BIG thank you to Gayle Mattson, RN, President of HOC, and the entire HOC team for building on our long legacy of compassionate hospice care by adopting this best-in-class, patient-centered care model to better serve our community. This groundbreaking achievement elevates HOC as a regional and national leader in advanced illness and end-of-life integrated care, while further building TriHealth’s population health capabilities to get healthcare right!
Get Ready. Benefits Open Enrollment is Almost Here Benefits
Open Enrollment is less than a week away. Between Oct. 26 and Nov. 6, you can enroll in TriHealth benefits for coverage for 2021. Get prepared to enroll in your TriHealth benefits options by visiting HRCentral (Bridge > HRCentral > Benefits) to review the Totally Yours Total Rewards Guide and check Bridge for the Computer Labs schedule. If you do not enroll in benefits during this Open Enrollment period, you will not have insurance coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2021.
Get Your Flu Shot
All TriHealth team members, clinical and non-clinical, are required to get a flu vaccination by 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 and submit your paperwork. Visit Bridge for all details.
Pillar Performance Update
Each month the analytics team assembles a report for each pillar goal’s performance over the past month in a format that is easy to read and understand. Visit Bridge to download a PDF report to share with team members.
TAGS to Honor TriHealth Veterans
TriHealth and TAGS (TriHealth Armed-Forces Group and Supporters) are celebrating TriHealth Veterans by providing them with a free lunch on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, at all TriHealth locations. If you are actively serving or a veteran, please email Larry Mayborg by Nov. 4 to receive your free meal voucher.
TriHealth Celebrates Medical Assistants
This week, TriHealth and TriHealth Physician Partners will celebrate our Medical Assistants (MAs). Working in both administrative and clinical functions, our MAs play an essential role in the TriHealth Way of Delivering Care and our commitment to Getting Healthcare Right. National Medical Assistant Day is Oct. 21, so please thank an MA this week – and every day – for all they do for our patients and team members.
Salute to our veterans, my heroes
My Brother just passed away on 10-12 th did 2 tours of duty in Vietnam
I'm very proud of him
Posted by: Dianne Lindsey on October 21, 2020
Reply/View Reply