RxTra
A publication for the staff of Hartford Hospital
December 20, 2012
Vol. 68 No. 47
Happy Holidays From the Payroll Department Payroll Processing for Holiday Week
Address Verification for W-2 Reporting
Please remember that all time cards are to be reviewed and approved in KRONOS by 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 24. Please plan ahead and take advantage of having access to KRONOS 24/7 from any computer that allows portal access. Your cooperation in adhering to this cut off in time card review/approval would be greatly appreciated in light of the fact that the next two Mondays are Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Because Christmas and New Year holidays fall at the beginning of the week, the pay date is changed to Friday for both weeks (12/28/12 and 1/4/13).
Please take the time to verify that your mailing address, which appears on your pay stub/pay check, is correct. If you are using ESS, select the address tab in the section titled “My Personal File.” Here you can make any address changes. If you are not using ESS, please report any changes to your Human Resources consultant by Dec. 28, 2012. Any changes reported after that date will not be reflected on your W-2.
Hartford Medical Group’s West Hartford Office on South Main Street will be open on Christmas Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for urgent care visits.
With great sorrow, we must say goodbye to two long-term employees who died this week.
Abraham Rodriguez Laundry Mechanic
Kathy Marshall IV Nurse
Laundry mechanic Abraham Rodriguez, better known as A-Bee, passed away on Dec. 18.
Mary Marshall, better known as Kathy, passed away in B11I on Dec. 19 after battling cancer. She was 58.
Abe, who lived in West Hartford, has worked at the hospital for the past 20 years. He was 60.
Kathy died surrounded by a sea of blue, as many members of the IV Team, her extended family, converged to say their good-byes after 25 years of working with her.
In the words of his co-workers: “There was not a nicer, kinder individual working anywhere in all of Hartford HealthCare.” “In my three years here, I never heard him say an unkind word about or to anyone.” “He never refused to help or complete any assignment given to him.” “He was well liked by not only everyone in the Laundry Department, but all of Engineering as well.” Abe was looking forward to retirement in the next year or two, and taking his wife to their “get-away home” in Florida. He has spent much of his vacation time in recent years doing work there in preparation for his retirement. In addition to his wife, Abe leaves behind several children and grandchildren. We are grateful for having known Abe and for his many years of loyal and dedicated service. He clearly embraced and exemplified the core values of Hartford Hospital. Our sympathies go out to Abe’s family and friends.
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Most of us will remember Kathy for the contagious smile that she brought to every unit when her expertise in intravenous catheter placement was required. Not only was it felt by the staff, but by the patients she touched. Patients often asked for her by name and if they did not remember her name, they would say the nurse with the huge smile and straight blonde hair. Kathy was kind, compassionate, caring, a team player with a heart of gold, one who never wanted to impose herself on others, right up to the moment she could not speak for herself. Kathy, who worked mostly during the evening shift, was an expert at inserting IVs. Some would say she could find a vein in a rock and still get a blood return. She liked the idea of being able to meet everyone in the hospital and wanted to work in a big teaching facility. Kathy will be missed by all of us in the IV team and at HH. Our condolences to her sister, Deven McDougall, her brother Thom, her daughter Blaine and her husband Bob. May the thoughts and prayers of all of us at HH help you through this time of loss.
Help Us Register 1,000 New Organ Donors Last week we told you about our partnership with Fox CT, The Hartford Courant and Donate Life New England to get at least 1,000 new organ donors by the end of January. We need your help and caring to reach our goal... we aren’t there yet! To join us, go to http://becomeadonor. org and select “Hartford Hospital” from the “How did you hear about” dropdown menu. Your generosity and selflessness could give others a second chance at life. More than 110,000 men, women and children currently are on the national organ waiting list; about 3,400 of these patients live in New England. We are also asking you to share this message on Facebook: This holiday season, I’m asking my family and friends to consider becoming organ donors. It takes less than two minutes to register
online at www.becomeadonor.org. Your generosity and selflessness could give others a second chance at life.
Even if you think you are already an organ donor, please double check and confirm your registration. There is no greater gift!
Compliance Questions or Concerns?
Spreading Holiday Cheer As a special holiday treat, students from Parkville Elementary School, located in the west central section of Hartford, serenaded attendees at the Management Forum meeting on Dec. 18 with holiday songs. Parkville Community School serves 520 students in grades Pre-K-6. There are 40 students in the choir.
If you need to obtain information about compliance issues or raise concerns regarding internal and regulatory practices or policies, please contact your supervisor or call the ComplianceLine, a confidential and toll-free service, at
1-855-HHC-OCAP or online at HHC.OCAPComplianceLine.com
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Happening at Hartford Hospital Resources For Dealing With the Newtown Shootings Our hearts go out to the families of those who lost their lives Friday in Newtown. We mourn for the youngest victims and offer our deepest condolences to their parents and siblings. We grieve for the heroic staff members. In the face of such a senseless catastrophe, words fail us. Given these difficult times, we want to be sure to offer you our support if needed in any way. For staff members touched by this event in any way, our Employee Assistance Program can help. (Call extension 5-2530 to make an appointment. You can also call this toll-free number, 1-800-526-3485, which is answered 24/7.)
Yoga for Breast Cancer Patients
Employees Council Needs You! The Employees Council exists to assist all staff memebers with any help they need with work related issues, and plans and sponsors employee activities and community events. Our meetings are held in the Special Dining Room monthly at noon. The next meeting is Jan. 10. Feel free to contact the Employees Council at any time, at 860-545-3904, or at employeecouncil@harthosp.org.
N-95 Respirator Fit Testing
N-95 Respirator Fit Testing will be held Thurs., Dec. 27, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Friday, Dec. 28, 1-5 p.m., in the ERD 4th floor. This is an annual requirement and should be completed near the anniverThe United Way of Western Connectisary of your previous Fit Test. If there cut also can be of assistance if you are in are any changes to your cardiac or pulneed of psychological or other services as monary health, or if you are a new ema result of these events. Please dial 2-1-1 ployee, you must be medically cleared to reach United Way’s 24 hour hotline for by Occupational Health prior to being Fit assistance and referral. Tested. Also, Federal Law prohibits testing of anyone with facial hair that interDonate Toys for Three feres with the mask seal. Please ensure you meet all of these requirements beKings Day by Sunday fore getting Fit Tested. The National Association of Centering Pregnancy Hispanic Nurse s - H a r t f o r d Reunion Jan. 3 Chapter is WAHS will host a holiteaming up day reunion for Centering with the SpanPregnancy patients and ish American their families, and WAHS Merchant Assostaff on Thursday, Jan. 3, ciation (SAMA) 2013 from 4-6 p.m. in Heuto collect toys blein Hall. Registration is to be distribrequired by Dec. 21. WAHS began this uted January 6, program in April 2011. Since then, 179 pa2013 during SAMA’s Three Kings Day celtients have received prenatal care through ebration. Toys can be dropped off at the Centering Pregnancy vs. traditional prenaBrownstone Building, first floor, 8 a.m.-4 tal care. For more information, please conp.m., by Sunday, Dec. 23. For more info, tact Idelisa Freytes at 860-972-1347 or ifgo to www.nahnhartford.org. reytes@harthosp.org.
The Integrative Medicine program is offering a yoga class for women who are currently going through breast cancer treatment or have completed their treatment. Classes will be held on four Saturdays, January 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 11 a.m.12 p.m. at HH Blue Back Square (Community Room, fourth floor). It will be repeated on March 5, 12, 19 and 26. The class provides support through a gentle, conscious and restorative yoga practice taking into consideration the specific needs of patients with breast cancer. Patients, family, friends are welcome to attend this heartfelt practice. The class will be led by Cheryl Guertin, LMT, RYT. Cost is $40 for the four sessions. To preregister, please call Health Referral at 860-545-1888.
Dementia Support Group To Meet Jan. 8 There will be a meeting of the Dementia Support/Educational Group on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Center Building Extension (note new location. Walk towards the Center Building, and follow the signs). Guest speaker will be Patty O’Brian, director of the North Central Region Alzheimer’s Association. We will discuss programs and services for those with dementia and their families/ caregivers. A light lunch will be provided. Space is limited. Please RSVP by Saturday, Dec. 29 to Mary Cameron at 860-545-7665. In the event of inclement weather, please call 860-545-7665. (Make up date: Jan. 15.)
Questions or comments about RxTra?
Contact editor Annie Emanuelli at aemanuelli@harthosp.org or 860-545-2199