February 16, 2021
Hi Team –
Well it may be cold and snowy outside, but the “sun is shining brightly” on our efforts here at TriHealth to bring an end to the third and final wave in COVID infections and hospitalizations!
Severe Weather Update
A BIG thank you to all of our team members, physicians and leaders who have worked so hard over the last 48 hours – including many who spent the night at our hospitals – to ensure essential staffing and normal clinical operations are not disrupted, all to enable our system to continue to serve the thousands of patients in need of critical healthcare, even during this severe winter storm.
In order to avoid unnecessary distractions during this snow emergency, we have also cancelled non-essential meetings, including the Leadership Meeting and Team Member Town Hall that were previously scheduled for today, Tuesday, February 16. Weather permitting, however, we plan to combine the Leadership and Town Hall meetings into one livestream which will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 12 p.m. to 1p.m on Bridge and Facebook.
COVID Update
Our proactive efforts over the past three months to increase our capacity, support our teams and relentlessly work to treat active cases and reduce transmission of the virus during this third and most severe surge in COVID cases is now paying off! New COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to decline sharply, with only 78 TriHealth inpatients and just 13 on vents in the ICU this week – among the lowest numbers since the third surge began (see latest stats in sidebar to the right)! To think we had nearly 200 COVID inpatients in our hospitals in January, and are now down to double digits, is very encouraging and a true testament to your tireless efforts and commitment to battle this pandemic at every turn – THANK YOU!!!
Vaccination Update
I’m happy to report we are now winding down the first phase of our COVID Vaccine Program – Team Member Vaccinations – with second doses nearly complete and an overall team member and physician vaccination rate exceeding 60%. A BIG thank you to our outstanding vaccine team for leading the way to develop and implement the region’s best vaccination program, marked by exceptional customer service, safety, convenience and a “warm and personal touch!” Check out some of the heartfelt comments from our community on the “Wall of Relief and Gratitude” we set up at each vaccination site!
Our community vaccination program also continues its successful rollout. Last week, we began vaccinating those over age 65, as well as teachers in the community. The second floor of the Baldwin Building and our Bethesda North Outpatient Imaging (BNOI) facility are now dedicated community vaccination sites, so please expect an increase in vehicle and foot traffic at these locations in the coming months.
Mask Wearing and Other COVID Safety Measures
With so many TriHealth and community members being vaccinated, we are understandably being asked whether masking is necessary once vaccinations are complete. The short answer is, without a doubt, “YES”! Based on the strong recommendation of our Infectious Disease physicians and Infection Prevention Team – as well as current guidance from the CDC and ALL national and global infectious disease experts – TriHealth’s masking policy will remain in full force for ALL team members, physicians, patients and visitors until herd immunity is reached hopefully later this year, and experts advise it is safe to roll back these proven safety measures. Since the vaccine doesn’t offer 100% immunity to the virus – and those vaccinated could still be asymptomatic carriers of the virus – wearing a mask offers an important layer of necessary protection for everyone. Therefore, all of us must continue to wear masks for the foreseeable future, regardless of vaccination status. Our mask policy and facility signage are being updated to ensure that everyone understands why masks are still required even as community vaccinations are well underway.
Black History Month Celebrations Continue at TriHealth!
As we reported at the start of Black History Month, this year, TriHealth wants to provide a deeper exploration and better understanding of African American History, beyond the well-told stories of national figures and major achievements. To do so, we’re putting a spotlight on lesser-known Black American pioneers – in our industry and our region – whose contributions to science, engineering, medicine, education and civil rights have shaped both the modern world and our own Queen City. And to make it both educational and FUN, we’re launching a trivia game this week to test your knowledge of African American icons in healthcare and the Cincinnati region. Click here to participate.
Once you complete the game, your name will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win a Visa gift card or a gift certificate to a local African American-owned business. Answers will be posted on the Bridge on Friday, February 26 and drawing winners will be contacted by a TriHealth Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team member to receive their prizes. Visit Bridge today to learn more!
Bethesda North Named a 2021 Healthgrades’ Top 50 U.S. Hospital
I am thrilled to end this Weekly Update with another extraordinary win! Last week, we learned that Bethesda North Hospital was named a Top 50 U.S. Hospital by Healthgrades – placing it among the top 1% best hospitals in the nation!! Healthgrades used 2017-19 publicly reported Medicare data to assess the performance of nearly 4,500 U.S. hospitals in the treatment of 32 conditions, including heart attack, pneumonia and sepsis. Top-ranked hospitals had a 27.4% lower risk of death compared to patients treated at other hospitals. Click here to learn more. Congratulations to our entire Bethesda North team for their hard work and unwavering commitment to clinical excellence – every patient, every encounter – that resulted in this well-deserved national recognition!
On all fronts, one thing remains abundantly clear whether in the midst of a pandemic or on our journey to get health care right – it’s our people who make us great!! Thank you for being the best healthcare team not just in our region but anywhere! Together, we are TriHealth Strong – One Team, One Sacred Mission, One Great Health System… Leading the Way in Getting Healthcare Right!!
Overall Rating: Comments:
I think these weekly updates are fantastic! Please always do this! It's nice to see that you care about the team so much as well.
Posted by: Kaylee White on February 19, 2021
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