March 26, 2024

Because we love, we lead.

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. To recognize a co-worker or view more staff recognitions, click here.

COMPASSION

Margaret Harris, Certified Nursing Assistant, Assisted Living, Aspirus Tivoli Community-Portage

When I was at Tivoli rounding through the units, I saw Peg sitting with the residents giving hand massages. The residents all seemed so happy, and they were all gathered in the family room together, which was so nice to see. Thank you, Peg, for being so compassionate with our residents.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Ashley Hartjes, Registered Nurse, PACU, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Ashley ~ You were recognized by staff for your ability to be a great preceptor and for onboarding new team members. Thank you for doing this role well!

COLLABORATION

Erin Suberla, Supervisor of House, Nursing Administration, Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Erin ~ Thank you for all your help with my critical patients the other night. I'm not sure I would have been able to keep up without you!

FORESIGHT

Shelly Carlson, Registered Nurse, Med Surg, Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Shelly, acting as supervisor, knew a patient was going to be transferred as soon as a bed was available. Shelly leapt into action, printing off necessary paperwork and getting consent forms filled out and signed while the nurse cared for the patient. Thanks for the help, Shelly!

JOY

Lisa Piesik, Registered Nurse, Birthing Center, Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Lisa ~ Thanks for helping to get all of the spring decorations for the unit ready! It brings extra smiles to our faces to see the unit looking so festive. It was much appreciated that I was able to move quicker with the process since you had done so much of the prep work! Thanks!!

Patient Safety Tip

Employee Food in Restricted Areas

Why: Infection control risks are created when employees have food or drinks in patient care areas or patient food prep areas.

Outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness amongst staff, such as Norovirus, have been attributed to eating and drinking off of a contaminated surface. Because of these risks, OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard prohibits the consumption of food and drink in areas in which work involving exposure or potential exposure to blood or other potentially infectious or toxic material exists, or where the potential for contamination of work surfaces exists. 

Patient care areas such as but not limited to:

• Refrigerators
• Cabinets 
• Shelves 
• Counters 

OSHA requires that health care organizations evaluate the workplace to determine locations where potential contamination may occur and prohibit employees from eating or drinking in those areas.  

Call to Action:

• Only eat and drink in designated areas identified by your department.
• If the department has permitted drinks in the department, be sure to perform hand hygiene before touching the container and always cover it with a lid to prevent contamination.

Questions?

Contact your business unit’s Infection Preventionist.

Surgical Team Wins Good Catch Award

Kudos to this Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital surgical team for winning our Good Catch Award. They are (fromt left) Alissa Vandenhoven, Registered Nurse; Colin Rogers, Sugical Technologist; Kelly Garcia, Registered Nurse; and Mike Auck, Registered Nurse.

Upon the final count during a surgical procedure, one sponge was not accounted for. Staff searched for the missing sponge and notified Radiology per policy. An imaging exam showed the sponge was in the patient's abdomen, and the surgeon removed it. A second x-ray and another count confirmed the removal.

Congratulations on this great catch!

Welcome to Our New South Division Team Members

* Denotes Contract Staff

Michaela Melby

Certified Nursing Assistant

Med Surg

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Jonah Picknell*

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Radiology

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Adam Pawlik*

Imaging Technologist

Radiology

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital

Tap Your Inner Artist: Walk for Hope T-Shirt Design Contest

Lindsay Rutz, APNP, Joins Hoover Road Clinic

Aspirus Stevens Point Clinic-Hoover Road is pleased to welcome Lindsay Rutz, APNP.

As a family nurse practitioner, Lindsay cares for patients of all ages and takes a special interest in managing acute and chronic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, anxiety, and depression. She enjoys getting to know her patients in order to help them improve their health.

Prior to becoming a family nurse practitioner, Lindsay cared for hospitalized patients as a registered nurse. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Winona State University and her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Walden University in Minneapolis. She is board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

In her free time, Lindsay enjoys working out, sports, hunting and fishing, camping, and going on walks with her dog.

Alexa Omernik Wins Good Catch Award

Congratulations to Alexa Omernik, Registered Nurse in Med Surg and winner of our Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital Good Catch Award.

One of Alexa's patients complained of a headache. Upon assessing the patient, Alexa noticed they also had slurred speech and trouble finding their words. Sensing something was wrong, Alexa asked her manager, Renee Chatman, to take a second look at the patient.

After a neuro check, Renee agreed with Alexa's assessment; so, Alexa asked the physician to order a CT scan. The scan showed an intracranial hemorrhage. The patient was stabilized and transferred to the ICU.

Thank you for the outstanding and attentive care you provided to your patient, Alexa!

Meet Our New Southeast Division Team Members

* Denotes Contract Staff

Caleb Friemuth

Security Officer

Maintenance

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Claudia Ceja

Video Monitor Technician

Visual Monitoring

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Haley Williams

Central Monitor Technician

Monitor Room

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Stacy Johnson

Central Monitor Technician

Monitor Room

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Emily Kabacinski*

Registered Nurse

Med Surg

Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital

Area Girl Scouts Donate Gift Baskets

Area Girl Scouts recently delivered gift baskets to Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital. The Scouts requested the baskets be given to baby girls born at our birth center in honor of Girl Scout Week, which was March 10-16.

Sixteen of the baskets were donated by Troop 6260 – one for each member. The other two baskets were donated by Troop 6289 and Troop 6229. The baskets contained bibs, soaps, books, stuffed animals, diapers, pacifiers, quilts, afghans, and more. Eleven afghans were made by Connie Peplinski, who passed away earlier this month, and included a tag honoring her memory.

Kip and Brittany Gutke of Almond, along with daughters Marley, Josie and Delaney, were happy to take home one of the gift baskets donated by local Girl Scouts.

Active Threat Response Training Opportunities

As part of our effort to provide training for our staff regarding workplace violence and the response to an active threat, we have partnered with the Stevens Point Police Department to provide some scenario-based training opportunities.

Throughout May, we are offering all staff numerous opportunities to participate in a 40-minute training session. Sessions will be held at Aspirus Plover Hospital in the 2nd floor conference room/former inpatient unit space. Each session will include a safety briefing, followed by a short scenario that simulates an active threat event. The training sessions will enable participants to experience and practice the "run, hide, fight" protocol and will conclude with a debriefing and discussion.

To register for a session, log into HealthStream, then search the catalog for Emergency Management: Active Shooter Training Classroom.

Questions? Contact Alexander.Jaye@aspirus.org.

Welcome to Our New Southwest Division Team Members

* Denotes Contract Staff

Jennifer Turnmire

Dietary Aide

Food Services

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Jade Willette*

Radiology Technologist

Radiology

Aspirus Riverview Hospital

Bob Smith

President, WI Southeast Division

Brian Kief

President, WI South & Southwest Divisions