Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

Here are today’s updates:

• Increased Face Mask Requirements Returning to Stormont Vail
• Magnet is All About the Excellence of Our Team
• Susan Brian: “To Your Health” on WIBW-TV Tonight, Walk With a Doc on Saturday
• It’s Nurse Practitioner Week
• 2022 Nursing Symposium A Great Success

Increased Face Mask Requirements Returning to Stormont Vail

Effective Friday, Nov. 18, Stormont Vail Health will be returning to increased masking in clinic and hospital settings due to the increased COVID-19 transmission rates in our region. Community transmission of COVID-19 has been steadily increasing the past few weeks and now is at the “High” level. Input was gathered from a number of stakeholders at Stormont Vail Health who recommended a return to enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines.

Team Members/Organizational:

• Source control masking with all patient encounters and in environments where patients may be present, such as hallways.
• No masking is required in well-defined areas that are restricted from patient access, such as staff meeting rooms, conference rooms, administrative areas, etc. for vaccinated team members (must have two have primary series and booster).
• Follow Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGP) isolation precautions for high risk AGPs for all There are a few areas that have more specific AGP guidance and leadership in those areas will ensure team members are aware of the guidance.
• We will re-install temporary hard plastic barriers that are easily re-installed, such as tabletop barriers in the cafeteria. We will not reinstall the permanent hard plastic barriers that have been removed.

For Patients and Visitors:

• Require a facemask in clinics and hospitals.
• No change to visitation rules apart from requiring masks.

The changes going into effect were based on discussion and recommendations from Infection Prevention, Clinical Operations Group, Directors, Nursing Leadership and Medical Directors. Discussion continues with these groups about increased COVID-19 testing for certain patient populations.

On Oct. 6, the masking requirements at Stormont Vail facilities were relaxed for patients, visitors and team members, unless they met specific criteria or were in situations such as caring for patients in isolation or with suspected or confirmed respiratory or COVID-19 infections. That change occurred after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed the requirement for universal masking in health care settings in communities with lower COVID-19 transmission rates. In recent weeks, the COVID-19 rate in Shawnee County and some surrounding counties has increased and are now at the “high” level of community transmission. High level is community transmission based on the 7-day rolling average of 100 new cases per 100,000 population.

Magnet is All About the Excellence of Our Team

Understanding the scope of dedication and preparation needed to achieve the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition is hard to wrap your mind around. It is the documentation of hours and hours of work and effort by our interdisciplinary team and how they provide excellent care to patients across our system.

The Magnet document tells the Stormont Vail story through 85 written standards in 30 disciplines across our health system and involves 627 participants. There are 28 stories from the ambulatory setting, 35 from an inpatient setting and the rest of the stories from across the organization.

The document was submitted earlier this year and now is being reviewed by three appraisers from the ANCC Magnet Program. On Monday, we received a request for limited additional documentation. Once that review is complete, the appraisers will schedule a time for a site visit. Preparations for that site visit, which will include the clinics and hospital, are currently underway.

Dr. Susan Brian: “To Your Health” on WIBW-TV Tonight, Walk With a Doc on Saturday

A new study finds an alarming number of people rationed insulin last year. Dr. Susan Brian, endocrinologist, talks about why that is risky and what programs are available to help people avoid compromising their best insulin dose. Dr. Brian will share that information on tonight’s “To Your Health.” The segment will air at 10 p.m. on WIBW-TV, Channel 13. The segment will typically repeat at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Fridays on 13 News This Morning and be posted on wibw.com.

Dr. Brian will also lead Saturday’s Walk with a Doc, a community program Stormont Vail Health sponsors each month to promote exercise and an opportunity to learn from one of our physicians. The walk begins at 9 a.m. Saturday on the east side of Washburn University by Lee Arena. Please invite your friends and family to joins us for this free event.

It’s Nurse Practitioner Week

Nurse Practitioner Week falls on the second week of November– and that’s a time to recognize our nurse practitioners and the role they play in the care and health of our patients. Nurse Practitioners have a significant impact on patient access to care and their health outcomes. Please say “thank you” to the nurse practitioners in your area.

2022 Nursing Symposium A Great Success

Professional nurses from Mayo Clinic and Stormont Vail Health shared knowledge and innovation at the 2022 SVH Nursing Symposium on Nov. 11, 2022. Presenters shared evidence-based practices for nursing professional development, nursing retention, and quality improvement projects. The symposium demonstrated how nurses provide high-quality and innovative care to patients and staff members. Stormont Vail Health nurses gave nine poster presentations and three podium presentations.

We together,
Dr. Kenagy