January 16, 2024

Naming a newborn is a key step in welcoming the littlest and latest addition to the family. There are thousands of names for parents to choose from, but, in the end, each name given to a child is special and unique, as they carry it with them throughout their life. 

From January 1 to December 26, 2023, the Aspirus Health System welcomed 2,881 babies into the world. In total, 1,517 different names were given to those newborns. Below are the most popular baby names given throughout the system in 2023.

Congratulations to Carla Bach, Surgical Services RN, recipient of the Howard Young Medical Center Good Catch Award! The Good Catch award is based upon a commitment to High Reliability Principles for Safety to bring awareness to situations where an employee’s actions prevented harm to those we care for in the Northwoods.

Here is a summary of Carla’s Good Catch: Carla was assisting her paraplegic patient to the bathroom. For safety, the patient needs to use a vertical grab bar, but none of the bathrooms in the Outpatient Services department had vertical grabs bars (they have horizontal grab bars). Carla found a nearby public restroom that had vertical grab bars and she transported the patient there for his safety. Following this situation, Carla submitted a Maintenance request to install a vertical grab bar within the department for future patient needs.

As a result of Carla’s focus on safety, her patient received safe care during his procedure and future HYMC patients will have a bathroom with additional accommodations for handicapped patients.

This is a great example of using the STAR tool.  

STAR (Stop, Think, Act, Review): A safety tool that significantly reduces the chance of an error. A one-second pause reduces the chance of error occurring by ten-fold. A two-second pause reduces the chance of error occurring up to one-hundred-fold.

Each month our Good Catch Team reviews all the Good Catches submitted through SafetyZone and choose the best catches to be recognized within our region. Submit your good catches and you could be the next “Good Catch Award Winner!”

Good catch, Carla!

Every day, we show compassion for our patients, their loved ones, and one another. Below are a few recent examples from our intranet's Recognition Wall for North Division facilities. Recognize a co-worker or view more staff recognitions.

Compassion

Raeanne Waara, AERH Lab

Raeanne, thank you for picking up a shift this Sunday to provide coverage at AER Lab so that we can provide coverage at the ATH Lab. By doing so, we will be able to provide for our patients at both locations. Thank you for all that you do!

Accountability

Darlene Baker, ARN Med/Surg

Thank you, Darlene and Ashley, for letting me interrupt your morning multiple times yesterday as I tried to muddle through the process of giving meds with the Rover, and my inpt EPIC charting questions. It has been quite some time since I was a staff nurse on the units. I really appreciated it.

Collaboration

Barbara Hiller, HYMC CCU

Barb, thank you so much for your willingness to frequently send us staff when ARN is in a bind. With all the sick calls, you were a blessing yesterday. You have always been willing to go the extra mile and make phone calls to your staff to find me help when needed. I appreciate you – Rock Star.

Foresight

Larry Koch, HYMC IT

Thank you so much for always being available and fixing my many IT issues. My computer is working beautifully again because of you!

Joy

Janelle Klenk, ARN CT Scanner

Janelle is a hard worker and very helpful in our department.

Heidi Pritzl, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Aspirus Koller Behavioral Health, was interviewed by WSAW-TV about the January blues.

The holidays are over, and the new year is here. For some people, that can bring hope, but for many others, it can bring stress and even mental health struggles.

“That’s what we call it – the boom and bust,” Heidi said. “So, we’re going a lot and then all of a sudden we crash, and that tends to happen in January just because of those obligations around the holidays.”

Heidi discussed the importance of keeping up with the mental and physical aspects of life. “We need to look at our brain as much as we do our body and recognize that every day,” Heidi explained. “And it’s just so important to take care of ourselves.”

You can watch the WSAW-TV story here. 

Terrific job, Heidi!

January is a great time to kickstart your fitness journey and set the tone for a healthy year ahead.

Set Realistic Goals

• Define clear, achievable, and realistic fitness goals. Whether it's weight loss, muscle gain, or overall well-being, having specific objectives will keep you motivated.

Create a Workout Plan

• Develop a structured workout plan that includes a mix of cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and flexibility work. Consistency is key, so find a routine that you enjoy and can stick to.

Start Slow

• If you're new to exercise or returning after a break, ease into your routine. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to avoid injury and burnout.

Mix Up Your Workouts

• Keep things interesting by trying different types of exercises. This not only prevents boredom but also challenges different muscle groups, promoting overall fitness.

Stay Hydrated

• Proper hydration is crucial for overall health and performance. Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day, especially before, during, and after your workouts.

Find a Workout Buddy

• Having a workout partner can make exercising more enjoyable and provide mutual motivation. It also adds a social element to your fitness routine.

Celebrate Small Wins

• Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement can help you stay motivated and committed to your fitness journey.

Join a Fitness Class or Group

• If you prefer a structured environment, consider joining a fitness class or group. This can provide a sense of community and accountability.

Stay Consistent

• Consistency is key when it comes to fitness. Stick to your routine, even when motivation wanes. Establishing a habit takes time, so be patient and stay committed.

Remember, the most important aspect of fitness is finding activities you enjoy. This will make it easier to stay committed and turn exercise into a sustainable part of your lifestyle

Do you have an announcement you'd like to include in the North Division Newsletter?

Please send it to Aspirus North Division Regional Communications & Community Engagement Lead Matt Thompson at Matthew.Thompson@aspirus.org. Please provide any items for this newsletter by end-of-day Friday for use the following week.