January 16, 2024

Regional & Divisional News

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In This Edition

Phase 3 of Specialty Referral Optimization
Aloha Day is Jan. 19
Updated System Policies: Infection Prevention
Last Chance Jan. 19 Deadlines
SafetyZone Maintenance on Jan. 24
Snow Shoveling Can Trigger Heart Risks
Winter Road Safety

Phase 3 of Specialty Referral Optimization

Latest specialties went live Jan. 10

The third phase of Aspirus Health’s specialty referral optimization work went live on January 10. The specialties included as part of phase 3 were: Bariatrics, Concussion, Dermatology, General Surgery, Memory Care, Neurosurgery, Pain Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR), Plastic Surgery, Sports Medicine and Vascular Surgery.

This optimization work is being implemented in phases to allow clinicians and stakeholders across multiple specialties to collaborate on the appropriate workflows. As each phase goes live, the services are moving away from a geographic-based referral process. Referral coordinators instead manage referral work queues by specialty to improve the patient experience by selecting the best appointment for patients based on clinician, distance, timeliness and insurance coverage.

Phase 1 of this work went live in April 2023 and Phase 2 followed in September. Two additional phases will occur in February and April, respectively.

Aloha Day is January 19

Wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt

All Aspirus team members are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts on Friday, January 19, to help chase away the winter gloom with a bit of tropical joy.

* Important: Please adhere to our dress code and check with your manager to make sure your shirt is appropriate for your department and role. This is NOT a casual day unless otherwise noted at the business unit where you are physically located. Look for local communications.

Post photos of you and your co-workers wearing your Hawaiian shirts on January 19 to the Aloha Day photo gallery. Look for the Aloha Day banner on the intranet homepage.

Updated System Policies: Infection Prevention

Management of Toys and Shared Reading Materials - Infection Control

Effective January 16, the “Management of Toys” policy is updated to include shared reading materials, such as magazines, books and newspapers found in public spaces and used by multiple visitors/patients. Shared reading materials must be in good condition and, if possible, away from ill patients. Hand hygiene supplies should be available to promote hand hygiene for visitors/patients using shared reading materials.

See Policy

Isolation Procedures - Standard and Transmission Based Precautions

Effective January 16, this policy is updated to standardize when to discontinue Enteric Contact Isolation based on CDC guidance. These changes affect our Aspirus legacy hospitals and align with the practices of our Northwoods and Upper Michigan hospitals. The policy guides that Enteric Contact Isolation can be discontinued when there is resolution of diarrhea (i.e., formed stools) for a minimum of 48 or up to 72 hours.

See Policy

Review these and other policies in PolicyStat.

Last Chance!

January 19 Deadlines

W-2 & 1095-C Web Delivery

Sign up for a faster, more efficient method of receiving your annual W-2 and/or 1095-C documents for your individual tax filings. Log into the Infor CloudSuite Application by January 19 and sign up for web delivery. No need to wait and watch the mail for these important documents!

Learn More

Aspirus Emerging Leaders

This program is designed to provide additional learning opportunities for employees who are interested in becoming formal leaders throughout the organization.

Interested employees may apply through January 19 for the Spring 2024 session of Aspirus Emerging Leaders. The application is completed by both the applicant and their manager.

Learn More & Apply Today

SafetyZone Maintenance on Jan. 24

The SafetyZone event reporting portal will be unavailable on Wednesday, January 24, from 10-11 p.m. (CST), due to server maintenance.

Snow Shoveling Can Trigger Heart Risks

While shoveling snow can be a great workout, it's important to know your limits, especially if you have a heart condition.

Aspirus Non-Invasive Cardiologist Dr. Vrunda Patel shares how to prioritize your heart health this winter season.

Visit the Aspirus Media Center for other recent stories featuring Aspirus experts.

Winter Road Safety

Clearing the path for emergency responders

As winter blankets the roads with snow and ice, it's crucial for everyone, including emergency services and highway maintenance, to navigate safely.

Corey Resch, AEMT/Supervisor with Aspirus MedEvac, and John Bangart, Highway Operations Supervisor with Marathon County Highway Department, highlight the challenges faced by emergency responders, urging drivers to be vigilant in snowy conditions and offering guidance when encountering ambulances with flashing lights.