Volume 2, Issue 3 - February 6, 2009

Go Red for Women

Saint Joseph Goes Red to Fight Heart Disease in Women

Saint Joseph Health System has joined the American Heart Association's fight against heart disease in women by participating in Wear Red Day today, Feb. 6. Employees and volunteers throughout our hospitals are sporting shades of red to show their support for the Go Red For Women movement, a nationwide program that offers guidance and support to help women take charge of their heart health and make healthy lifestyle changes.

Saint Joseph Health System is the central Kentucky sponsor of the Go Red For Women movement and is working with the American Heart Association in alerting women to their susceptibility to cardiovascular disease and helping them take steps to reduce their risk for it.

Are you wearing RED Today?

SJH/SJE: Make a donation to the American Heart Association. Collection boxes are located in Administration (suggested donation is $5). Or, you can stop by the cafeteria entrance during lunch to turn in your donation; if you aren't wearing red, you can pick up a red dress pin and make a donation.

SJJ: Make a donation to the American Heart Association. A collection box is located in Administration (suggested donation is $5).

SJB: Make a donation to the American Heart Association. A collection box is located in Administration (suggested donation is $5).

SJMS: Red long-sleeved T-shirts are available in Human Resources for a $5 donation to the American Heart Association. They are also available outside the cafeteria from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Anyone wearing red is invited to be in a group picture this morning at 10:00 a.m. in the outpatient waiting area.

SJM: Anyone wearing red is invited to be in a group picture today at Noon in the Front Lobby.

Go Red Events Today

Saint Joseph - London will help host a "Go Red For Women" free community educational seminar in London today, Feb. 6 at the London Community Center. Attendees will learn more about women and heart disease and enjoy a vendor fair and dinner at 6:30 p.m. If you haven't registered, you can do so from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.

Saint Joseph Heart Institute will be at Macy’s “Go Red For Women” event today, Feb. 6 offering blood pressure screenings and education from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Top Stories

• Ice Storm
• Town Halls
• Lend a
  Hand
• Clinical Pastoral Education
• Cardio
  Pro Week Events
• Classes
• Wellness
• Feedback

Ice Storm '09

Battling the Snow and Ice Storm Together

As Flaget Memorial Hospital employees drove to work last Wednesday morning, many dodged trees and power lines to do so. Almost every residence in Nelson County experienced a loss of power during the ice storm, including the hospital.

As we pulled together our response, we were informed by EMS that 12 persons were coming in with carbon monoxide poisoning. These were the first of what would eventually be 23 victims. For a small hospital this stressed our resources enough that an external disaster "Code Yellow" was called. By that afternoon, power was restored to the hospital and the community began to call on us for resources.

Heroes appeared in all areas of the hospital. Local physicians responded to assist in the ED. Nurses and support personnel from other areas in the hospital gave loving care for each patient. Dietary provided coffee and food. Materials Management kept the areas well stocked. Facilities kept the sidewalks and parking lots safe and picked up employees from their homes. Many of the incoming calls required clinical knowledge, so a nurse was assigned to take calls from the community. Respiratory therapists worked tirelessly to provide treatments to the victims of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The ambulatory surgery area cared for medical surgical patients as our census soared. Surgery nurses and technicians volunteered to stay and care for the patients throughout the night. The electronic medication system went down for four hours, requiring a transfer to paper until the teamwork between nursing, local IT, and pharmacy got the system running again. Admitting personnel, including the director, remained on duty for three days, relieving each other for naps. Employees came prepared with extra clothes and the right attitude to stay the week. Imaging personnel transported patients. Housekeeping continued to keep the hospital spotless with a skeleton crew. Office personnel manned the phones at the nurses' stations and helped with registration. Hospice nurses helped ensure the safety of patients at home, assisting with transfers to the hospital and then staying to care for these patients. Chaplains and social workers assisted with provision of resources, comfort, emotional and spiritual support. The team work was phenomenal.

Situations such as this demonstrate the true character and commitment of not only individuals, but an entire organization. As most Nelson County residents focused on providing heat, shelter, and food for their families, Flaget employees came to work leaving their families in the care of spouses, family and friends. They carried out the healing mission of Jesus Christ through sacrificial service.

—Sue Downs, Vice President of Patient Care Services/CNO, Flaget Memorial Hospital

Snapshots of the Ice Storm

Saint Joseph Hospital

A statue of Mother Catherine Spalding, the first mother superior of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth who founded Saint Joseph Hospital in 1877, collected snow and ice during the storm last week, but still watched over the campus.

Power lines in Lexington dripped with icicles.     Ice-coated branches waited patiently to thaw.

Saint Joseph - Berea

The camera's flash belies the fact that Joyce Rose prepared soup and oatmeal in the kitchen by candlelight. The only cooking device powered in the kitchen when Saint Joseph - Berea relied on a generator was a steam kettle.

 
Above, left: Saint Joseph - Berea President Greg Gerard led a prayer over the public address system on the first morning after the storm. He prayed for support as staff cared for patients, for the safety of those affected by the storm, and thanked God for his hard-working staff.

Above, right: On the first day of the ice storm Judy Harris in hospitality services grilled hot dogs and hamburgers outdoors for lunch. The kitchen was not powered by the hospital's generator so the hospitality staff got creative and had an impromptu cookout for staff, visitors and patients on a regular diet.

Recognition

Heart Institute Nurse Passes RCIS Exam

The Saint Joseph Heart Institute would like to recognize and congratulate Dena Fulks, RN, BSN, RCIS for obtaining a 2nd registry. She is the first nurse in the Heart Institute at Saint Joseph Hospital to complete the training and pass the national exam to become a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist.

Waneta P. Newsome Award

The latest winner of the Waneta P. Newsome Employee Recognition Award at Saint Joseph - Martin is Larry Robinson, a member of both the materials management and plant services teams. This award recognizes those individuals whose performance on the job gives special meaning to Saint Joseph’s core values of Reverence, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence.

Announcements

Town Hall Meetings

Town Hall meetings are currently being held at hospitals throughout the system. Below are upcoming dates.

Saint Joseph - Jessamine
Feb. 10, 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Saint Joseph Hospital
Feb. 11, 7:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the Blakely Auditorium

Saint Joseph East
Feb. 12, 7:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the Education Center (Rooms A & B)

Saint Joseph - London
Feb. 9, 7:00 a.m. in the Chapel and 12:30 p.m. in the Peds Office
Feb. 10, 8:00 a.m. at the East Laurel Center and 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel
Feb. 11, 12:00 noon in Materials Management
Feb. 12, 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel

Flaget Memorial Hospital
March 4, 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the Nazareth Conference Center

In mid-March, system-wide Town Halls will be held by Saint Joseph Health System President Gene Woods to update employees on the latest news and initiatives including the new strategic plan for 2009-2014. Watch for more details soon.

'Lend a Hand' in Lexington, Nicholasville

Human Resources is “re-introducing” a program to help identify and recognize our newest employees who are still in their initial 90-day introductory period. The program is called “Lend-a-Hand” and was rolled out with the new hires from Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph East and Saint Joseph - Jessamine at the Jan. 26 General Hospital Orientation. New employees can be recognized by the bright blue “handprint” stickers on their employee badges. Current staff is encouraged to seek out these newest team members to welcome them and offer a “helping hand” of encouragement or with any questions they may have. With the completion of the employees’ first 90-days, they and their supervisors will be invited to participate in a celebratory reception to mark the accomplishment, share success stories and enjoy refreshments and door prizes! Thanks in advance for your support of this program and participation in the retention of our newest team members as we continue to be an Employer of Choice celebrating one of our greatest resources – our employees!

World Day of Healing

Saint Joseph Health System is celebrating the CHI Feast Day, also known as World Day of Healing on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The church first celebrated the World Day of the Sick on Feb. 11, 1992. This day is also the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (CHI calls this celebration, The World Day of Healing). The celebration has three consistent themes:

First, it reminds all to pray intensely and sincerely for those who are sick;
Secondly, the celebration invites all people of faith to reflect on and respond to human suffering;
Lastly, this day recognizes and honors all persons who work in health care ministry. On Feb. 11, these services are designed to honor all three themes of the day.

At Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph East and Saint Joseph - Jessamine, hospital Chaplains will provide prayer services in clinical units. If you work in a non-clinical care area and would like to have a chaplain come and have a prayer service in your area, please call Ann Duba (859.313.1781) in Pastoral Care to schedule a time for your service. To help celebrate this feast day, Jan Hill will be playing the harp at Saint Joseph Hospital on Wednesday, Feb. 11 and at Saint Joseph East on Thursday, Feb. 12. At Flaget Memorial Hospital, a prayer service will be held on Feb. 11 at 11:30 a.m. in the SNU Activity Room. Periodically throughout the day, members of the healing therapy team will be offering healing touch to nursing staff to bring healing to the healers.

Clinical Pastoral Education Program Begins

The Pastoral Care department at Saint Joseph Hospital is excited to share with Saint Joseph Health System the news that the Clinical Pastoral Education program has been reestablished. CPE, or Clinical Pastoral Education, was begun in 1925 as a form of theological education that takes place not exclusively in academic classrooms, but also in clinical settings where ministry is being practiced. CPE is offered in many kinds of settings: in hospitals and health care including university, children's, and veterans' facilities; in hospices; in psychiatric and community care facilities; in workplace settings; in geriatric and rehabilitation centers; and in congregational and parish-based settings. The textbooks for CPE include in-depth study of "the living human documents," meaning both the people who receive care as well as a study of the givers of care. Through the practice of ministry and the reflection thereon with supervisor and peers, the experiential learning that is CPE takes place.

The Pastoral Care department at Saint Joseph Hospital hopes to begin its first unit on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and end on May 26, 2009. The class will meet every Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is an application process that includes a $25.00 application fee and tuition of $550.00. The program is open to ordained as well as lay clergy persons and ordination is not required. For further information please contact Rev. Dr Barbara Means at 859.313.1242.

Daisy Award Nominations Due

The next deadline for nominating a deserving registered nurse for the "Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses" at Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph - Berea, and Saint Joseph - Mount Sterling is Feb. 27. You can now complete & submit your nomination online at www.SaintJosephNurses.org, or look for the Daisy Award brochures and nomination boxes throughout the hospitals. If you have any questions about this award, call Paula Keally at 859.313.4776.

Contribute to a Care Package for Soldiers

Saint Joseph - Martin is assembling care packages for a medic unit of 85 soldiers, deployed from Shelbyville, serving in Afghanistan. Department managers have received the list of care package items for their department. If anyone prefers to make a cash donation, see a member of the Mission Committee. For more information contact Judy Parsons at 606.285.6470.

'Cardiovascular Professionals Week' Events
February 8-14, 2009

Saint Joseph - Berea
Reception in honor of cardiovascular professionals
Monday, Feb. 9, 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Board Room

Saint Joseph East
“The History of Angioplasty”
See the struggles of the beginning and look at the implications for the future; 2007 marked the 30-year anniversary of angioplasty
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. in the Education Center
(Room A); bring your lunch and enjoy the film.

Reception in honor of cardiovascular professionals
Friday, Feb. 13, 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the front lobby

Saint Joseph Hospital
“Vascular Pioneers—Evolution of a Specialty”
Meet the history makers of vascular intervention and envision the future
Tuesday, Feb. 10 in the Blakely Auditorium; Showings at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Reception in honor of cardiovascular professionals
Friday, Feb. 13, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Fisher Lobby

'Relay for Life' Bake Sale in Martin

A bake sale for Relay for Life will be held on Friday, Feb. 13. As you know this is the day before Valentine’s Day, so other items, such as balloons and long-stem roses will be available. Donations will be greatly appreciated. Contact Mary Martin for more information at 606.285.6590.

'Relay for Life' Bake Sale in Mount Sterling

A bake sale for Relay for Life will be held on Friday, Feb. 13. Call Lynn Lockridge, 859.497.7749, if you'd like to participate. Employee cookbooks also are being sold as a fundraiser for this event.

'Good Health Build' Volunteers Invited to Appreciation Dinner

All volunteers who participated in the Good Health Build for Saint Joseph Hospital and Saint Joseph East are invited to attend Habitat for Humanity's 2009 Volunteer and Community Partner Dinner on Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Lexington. If you would like to attend, RSVP to Paula Keally at 859.313.4776 by Feb. 12, 2009. You can bring one guest.

Classes & Seminars

Working with Deaf/Hard of Hearing Patients ...
Are You Ready?

A representative from the KY Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will hold a class for employees on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Blakely Auditorium at Saint Joseph Hospital. Videoconferencing will be available to Saint Joseph East (Education Center in MOB) and Saint Joseph - Berea. The title is “Working with Deaf/Hard of Hearing Patients … are you ready?” and registration is now available at www.SaintJosephHealthSystem.org. Click on the Education & Events Calendar and type “working with deaf” in the event title box to locate the registration page. Earn 1.5 CEU's.

If you answer “True” to any of these statements, you need to take this class!
• All deaf people have the ability to read lips.
• Writing is an effective communication tool for all deaf people.
• Deaf people do not have their own culture.
• ASL interpreters do not have to be licensed.

Contact Lynn Fors at 313.2187 for more details.

Basic Medical Library Information Skills Class

A hands-on course on how to use Saint Joseph’s Virtual Medical Library will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the 2nd Floor Classroom at Saint Joseph - Berea. The class is open to anyone interested in using this resource for work, study and research for school, or to do research to learn about health conditions or patient/family education.

Register online at www.SaintJosephHealthSystem.org (education & events calendar). For additional information, contact Laurie Henderson at 859.313.1677.

Saint Joseph East's 2009 Maternity Education Classes

Childbirth Class: 4-Week Series
Weekend Childbirth Class
Private Childbirth Class
Breathing and Relaxation Class
Child CPR Class
Infant CPR
Grandparent Class
Breastfeeding Class
Baby Steps
Sibling Class

Classes are FREE of charge for Saint Joseph employees. Register online at SaintJosephHealthSystem.org or call 859.967.BABY.

'Legal Aspects of Nursing Documentation'

Bedside nurses who perform patient documentation (RNs, LPNs, CEs, CNS, New Grad Nurses) are invited to attend a workshop, "Legal Aspects of Nursing Documentation," on March 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Blakely Auditorium at Saint Joseph Hospital. View course objectives and register online at www.SaintJosephHealthSystem.org
(education & events calendar).

Wellness Opportunities

Diabetes 'A-Z'

“Diabetes A-Z” classes will be held Feb. 10, 17 and 24 from 2-4 p.m. at the Flaget Immediate Care Clinic off KY 245, across from Buzick Lumber, in Bardstown. Classes are free; to register, call 502.348.7010.

Diabetes Lunch Bunch

The Diabetes Lunch Bunch meets the fourth Monday of every month to discuss topics of interest to people who have diabetes. Diabetes educators from the Saint Joseph Diabetes & Nutrition Center in Lexington provide guidance on self-management concerns. The next meeting is Feb. 23 at 11:30 a.m. at Bob Evans in Brannon Crossing. Call 859.313.2958 for more information.

Join Downtown Athletic Club in Mount Sterling

The Downtown Athletic Club in Mount Sterling is offering a special price to all Saint Joseph Health System employees. To receive the special price, at least 40 employees need to sign up. Please contact Rhonda Potts by Feb. 23 at 859.497.7708.

Feedback

A Letter to Saint Joseph Hospital
Dear LaJava Chenault (director of med/surg)

“I just want to write and thank you for the conversation we had while my husband was in the hospital twice recently for kidney stone surgery. I also want to tell you how amazing we thought one of his nurses, Chrissy Chumley, was. She was so knowledgeable, well spoken, sharp and caring. She was a great 'guide' for what was going on with his care, was reassuring and so helpful to both of us. Most of all, she seemed extremely confident and competent in her abilities. What an amazing young woman and we just hope she stays in the profession for many years.

During his first stay, another nurse, Robin, was also a terrific nurse who was great to have around. As you must understand, a hospitalization is such a stressful time and these young women, through their great combination of education and personalities, made it much more tolerable."