November 8, 2022

Health experts are predicting the upcoming flu season to be particularly impactful. The lower levels of cold and flu activity during the pandemic mean people haven’t been exposed to these illnesses as much over the past two years, and our immune systems may be more susceptible.

“The number one thing people can do to minimize their risk of getting the flu is getting the flu shot,” says Thomas Marren, MD, Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic – N Chippewa Drive. “The benefit of preventing the flu outweighs many risks that people may worry about when getting the flu shot. If you have any concerns about the flu shot, talk to your medical provider or pharmacist.”

Aspirus strongly encourages vaccination against the flu for everyone 6 months and older as the best way to protect ourselves and those around us. Flu shots are particularly important for people at higher risk of complications from the flu, including those who:

• Are pregnant
• Are younger than age 2
• Are age 65+
• Have a chronic health condition such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes

Dr. Marren adds, “The best time to get the flu shot is in the fall. This helps ensure immunity is highest during peak flu transmission.” If you just received a COVID-19 vaccination, you could still get your flu shot without waiting in between. However, if you currently have COVID-19, you should wait to get your flu shot until you feel better and your medical provider says it's safe to go out.

Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic – N Chippewa Drive is offering flu shots by appointment as follows:

• Nov. 11 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Nov. 15 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

To schedule your flu shot or to learn more about Aspirus Rhinelander Clinic – N Chippewa Drive providers and available services, call 715-361-5480 or visit aspirus.org.

The Howard Young Medical Center Mammography department passed its recent MQSA inspection. 

The State of Wisconsin, under contract from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), performs annual inspections at each of the state's approximately 250 facilities that perform mammographic x-ray procedures. These inspections, performed by personnel in the Department of Health Services (DHS) Radiation Protection Section, are conducted on a schedule prescribed by the FDA. This schedule calls for a facility to be inspected once every twelve months, with a two-month grace period either way.

These inspections are to ensure that mammography facilities are in compliance with the Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act of 2004 (the first Act was 1992). In order for a Wisconsin mammography facility to operate, it must be accredited by the American College of Radiology, and then become a certified facility of the United States Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Division of Mammography Quality Radiation Program.

Congrats, HYMC Mammography team!

National Radiologic Technology Week runs from Nov. 6-12!

It's an annual celebration to recognize the vital work of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in patient care and health care safety.

Our Rad Techs play a vital role in safe, compassionate patient care, and we are thankful for their expertise and great work!

Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital hosted a skills fair in October for nurses and CNAs.

The event focused on several areas:

• All - Restraints, Fall Risk & Prevention, Glucometer, Emergency Response, Elopement Policy, BLS Mock Code and Transfer Devices
• RNs - Central Line, Indwelling Urinary Catheterization, Bedside Swallow Assessment, Sepsis and Tenecteplase for Ischemic Stroke
• CNAs - Indwelling Urinary Catheterization Maintenance and Removal

Howard Young Medical Center is hosting its skills fair this week on November 8, 10 and 11. Search for "Skills Fair" in HealthStream and look for the HYMC dates.

Congratulations to Mandy Hurst, RN, recipient of the Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital 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 associate's or physician's actions prevented harm to those we care for in the Northwoods.

Here is a summary of Mandy's Good Catch:

"Mandy recognized a mislabeled medication prior to administration. In catching this mislabeling, Mandy prevented a medication error and potential patient harm."

Great Catch, Mandy!

Each month our Good Catch Team reviews all of the Good Catches submitted and chooses the best catches to be recognized within our region. Submit your good catches and you could be the next "Good Catch Award Winner!"

This year we will be providing Community Holiday Dinners for Thanksgiving (Tue, Nov. 15) and Christmas (Tue, Dec. 13) at The Rock Mission Center (The Rock) in Eagle River. We need 20 volunteers to help prep, serve meals and clean up afterwards.

We'll meet at 4 p.m. and dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. We usually serve around 125 meals. Make it a family event and bring your spouse and/or kids. The Rock is located at 1019 E. Wall Street in Eagle River.

Please contact Cate Wilson (catherine.wilson@aspirus.org) or Pam Berdal (pamela.berdal@aspirus.org) to sign up. It's a great opportunity to make a difference in our community and have fun hanging out with each other. Help us help the communities we serve with a few hours of your time on Nov. 15 and Dec. 13.

Sign up today!

Aspirus Koller Behavioral Health featured on WAOW-TV

WAOW-TV in Wausau featured a story on Friday, Nov. 4, about how daylight saving time impacts the mind and body.

Reporter Adriana Daniel interviewed Heidi Pritz, LCSW, Aspirus Koller Behavioral Health, via Zoom on Thursday morning and then aired the story several times throughout the day on Friday.

We turned the clocks back an hour on Sunday and Heidi discussed how keeping a healthy routine can help ease the time change.

Great job, Heidi!

COVID Community Transmission Report: Week of 11.07.22

Employees are reminded our COVID-19 attestation, testing, return-to-work and patient care processes have not changed. 

Team members working in areas within Aspirus patient care facilities that are restricted from patients are no longer required to wear a surgical mask if you have received at least your initial two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series. This includes breakrooms, offices, conference rooms and isolated non-patient care departments.

Please note:

Surgical masks continue to be required in all other areas within patient care facilities, including hallways, and N95s continue to be the standard during direct patient encounters.

Masks continue to be required in our non-patient care facilities for team members who have not completed the initial two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series.

The masking requirements of our Influenza Safety Program remain unchanged. During the flu season, masks will be required for any team members who do not receive your seasonal influenza vaccine, regardless of COVID masking requirements.

If you develop symptoms, do not come to work. You need to complete the online attestation and schedule a test through MyAspirus. If your test results are negative, you can return to work.

If you test positive, Aspirus Employee Health & Wellness (EHW) will direct your return to work.

You must wear a mask at work after being COVID-positive until it has been 10 days since your positive test or the start of your symptoms.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to create the safest possible environment for each other and our patients.