Connections - May 2020

CONNECTIONS May 2020

An award-winning newsletter for Orange Regional Medical Center employees, physicians and volunteers

From the President & CEO As we continue our transition to a “new normal,” I am pleased to share that our demobilization plan for COVID-19 is working very well. Many changes have happened to normalize our workplace along with many enhanced safety measures.

We are converting units back to pre-COVID status. We have new and updated policies and procedures. We are conducting temperature checks and pre-screening evaluations for all outpatients and approved contractors. And, we are offering free COVID-19 IGG antibody blood testing to all employees.

Leaders of areas who were working remotely are now on site to finalize demobilization plans that include implementing department safety precautions for staff who have been working remotely. We will begin transitioning remote staff to their onsite work areas starting June 15. Percentages of the workforce that will be on site each week will steadily increase as our implementation of physical distancing safeguards and physical barriers are installed over the next several weeks. Employee safety is the guiding principle that will drive the percentage of our workforce that returns each week. Orange Regional’s day care ended on June 12.

The most important thing we can do for our patients and ourselves is to remember the basics: social distance, wear masks and perform frequent hand hygiene. Please also remember that proper use of PPE is crucial.

Thank you for your support as we work together to make changes to keep everyone safe. Please provide your input; we value it.

We recently submitted our Nursing Magnet re-designation application. Congratulations to our Nursing Department for this extraordinary accomplishment. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program designates

organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization's patient outcomes. For our patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the best that they can be.

With only about 8% of the nation’s hospitals earning this recognition of excellence, I commend our nurses for their commitment and dedication.

On June 18, the Greater Hudson Valley Health System becomes Garnet Health. Orange Regional Medical Center will become Garnet Health Medical Center. Orange Regional and Catskill Regional Medical Group will become Garnet Health Doctors and Orange Regional Medical Center Foundation will become Garnet Health Foundation. Catskill Regional Medical Center and Grover M. Hermann Hospital will become Garnet Health Medical Center - Catskills and Catskill Regional Medical Center Foundation will become Garnet Health Foundation - Catskills.

We're changing names to reflect that we are a unified health system delivering exceptional care throughout the region.

Over the next few weeks, you will receive communication about the name change and all rebranding efforts. I ask that you embrace our new name and commit yourself to the unification of our system.

Thank you for all you’ve been doing. The past few months have magnified the importance of every position in our hospital.

I appreciate everyone’s collective work.

Sincerely,

Brian Tew, President & CEO Orange Regional Medical Center

Get Ready, We’re Going Garnet Health!

For more information, visit garnethealth.org

CONNECTIONS

Medical Group Update

Telehealth Service Expands to Include E-Visits Our Telehealth service, which is quickly becoming popular with our patients, now offers another new benefit: E-Visits, an electronic exchange between a patient and a clinician for the delivery of healthcare.

Using E-Visits, providers work with patients to resolve health issues by reducing or avoiding in-person visits. First, a patient submits responses to a questionnaire in the E-Visit navigator in MyChart. The patient can also upload images.

The provider reviews information submitted and provides care advice, and can even place any necessary orders.

When the provider responds via a secure message, the patient will receive an email or notification.

Telehealth offers patients an important yet convenient way to keep up with regular appointments during the pandemic. Please remind your patients that it's important to not neglect their health, and that virtual Telehealth meetings with doctors – by phone or video – are easy to set up and are covered by most insurance plans. Video appointments, in particular, are a great way to connect and maintain a face-to-face relationship with patients.

Telehealth includes primary, specialty and urgent care. Overall, we are seeing more and more appointments each week. Orthopedics, urology and pulmonary telehealth visits, for example, are proving to be popular. Let your patients know that many services can be provided just as effectively via Telehealth. For instance, during a Telehealth cardiology visit, the patient and doctor can address a range of priorities that can include swelling, post-procedure wounds and medications. And, Telehealth lets patients practice social distancing while experiencing brief wait times, if any.

Telehealth is available during the medical group's regular office hours. To make a Telehealth appointment with a doctor, call (845) 333-7575. To learn more, visit www.ormc.org/telehealth and www.crmcny.org/telehealth

Striving for High Reliability A High Reliability Organization (HRO) makes safety a No. 1 priority. A focus on safety means exposure to needed improvements or enhancements in the system. High Reliability means getting things right each and every time by: • Building and sustaining a culture that places safety first.

• Preventing failure – in processes, policies, technology and with people.

• Reducing the probability that errors will occur with a focus on attention to detail and clear communication.

Please remember to use the High Reliability Self-Check, STAR – Stop, Think, Act and Review Stop - Pause for one to two seconds to focus attention on the task at hand Think - Consider the action you're about to take Act - Concentrate and carry out the task Review - Check to make sure that the task was done correctly and that you achieved the correct results For more information on patient safety, contact Quality Services Data Analyst Katie Haun at 333-1294 or khaun@ghvhs.org.

2

CONNECTIONS

Welcome New Employees Lisa Oldham, CNO and Vice President of Patient Care Services, recently contributed to an article for Becker’s Hospital Review entitled “What It Takes To Be A Clinical Leader During The Pandemic.” The article discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic brought her teams of nurses together during a time of critical need.

To read Lisa’s article, visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/ and search “Lisa Oldham.”

Jayne O’Malley, BSN, OCN, the Manager of Navigation Services and Lung Cancer Navigator, was honored in the American Lung Association, Northeast Region’s "Thank a Hero" Newsletter.

Jayne was nominated for staying connected to her patients every day, COVID-19 or not, and for making sure they always feel supported. Last year, Jayne started conducting a teleconference with her lung cancer support group participants who were unable to meet in person. This alternative is still being offered and has proved as the perfect model for virtual support groups throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you, Jayne. You make us so proud.

Christine Ammendolea David Babcock Erin Brown Melissa Camaj Jhan Cambas Jullia Castaldo Kathy Ciolkosz Scott Crisanto LeSher Grinan Erica Marc Cori McLee Brunilda Reyes Anna Stewart Alexis Vinciguerra Shaylyn Wood Danielle Zaleski

Magnet Re-Designation Application Submitted!

After many long hours, days, months and years, some members of our Nursing Magnet team, including CNO Lisa Oldham, and Magnet Program Director Dionne Johnson, ‘clicked to submit’ the application for our Magnet re-designation!

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization's patient outcomes. For our patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.

Only about 8% of the nation’s hospitals earn this recognition of nursing excellence. Congratulations to our Nursing Department for this extraordinary accomplishment!

3

M AY 2 0 2 0

Celebrating Nurses Week This year, we celebrated Nurses Week in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, while we couldn't celebrate the way we usually do, there was still a great deal of love and camaraderie that prevailed. Huge thanks to our Nursing healthcare heroes for all you do every day and especially for your work during the pandemic! Your passion, dedication and commitment to the nursing profession is outstanding.

4

M AY 2 0 2 0

5

CONNECTIONS

Celebrating Hospital Week

During Hospital Week, we thanked our employees for taking care of our community and doing it with pride. Our staff goes above and beyond to improve the health of our patients, families, friends and neighbors. This year has been an extraordinary one! No words could ever express the magnitude of thanks and gratitude each and every employee deserves. Thank you for all you do every day!

6

M AY 2 0 2 0

7

CONNECTIONS

COVID-19 Information There are many ways for employees to access information regarding COVID-19 and how it pertains to employee and patient safety.

The latest organizational information can always be found on the intranet under ‘COVID-19 Information.’

Please remember, it is everyone’s responsibility to stay informed.

Mental Health Awareness Month May marked Mental Health Month and highlighted what we can do to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health illnesses.

Managing your own mental health is imperative as we continue to experience the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us have risen to the occasion by responding to the outbreak. Our daily encounters with patients and their families can leave the residue of their pain and loss with us. We cannot neglect our own need for emotional support. We have a real responsibility to address our health, and the need to refill and recharge our batteries in the face of the nature of our work.

The GHVHS Behavioral Health team is offering free, confidential Virtual Support Groups for staff via WebEx. Register in HealthStream for session days and times.

United We Stand On June 8, a moving tribute in George’s Floyd’s memory was led by Greater Hudson Valley Health System President & CEO Scott Batulis, Orange Regional Medical Center CEO Brian Tew and Greater Hudson Valley Health System Medical Director of Hospitalist Services Leroy Cordero Floyd III, MD, CPE, FH. Thank you to all staff who contributed to this beautiful memorial.

Our system is extremely saddened by the recent murder of George Floyd and the widespread division in our country. Our heartfelt prayers, support and compassion go to Mr. Floyd’s family and to all those who have been victims of racism and hatred. Our family of caregivers does not tolerate discrimination.

We continue to work together through tremendous challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and must now equally work in tandem to heal the wounds of racism and bigotry with kindness, equality and respect. We hope these terrible times are the impetus for positive transformation that will eliminate racism forever.

To view a video of the tribute, visit the hospital intranet and click ‘videos’ or follow us on Facebook where it has also been uploaded.

For more information about our newsletter or to make a submission for consideration, contact Senior Marketing and PR Specialist Lauren Kropf-Zuckerman at 333-2363 or lzuckerman@ghvhs.org.

8