October 24, 2022

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• Post-Pandemic Unmasking: Phased Approach
• Emergency Generator Load Bank Testing
• Dedication to Excellence Awards
• New SPO Uniforms
• HUGGS in Action
• Friendly Reminder! 
• Open Enrollment
• PTO Donations
• Welcome New Associates!
• Happy National Respiratory Care Week
• Don't Forget Your Flu Shot!
• Wellness Update
• Food & Toiletry Drive
• Penguin Swim Keychains and Dog Collars
• Win A Chincoteague Getaway!
• 2023 Penguin Swim
• OC Ravens Roost Raffle
• Weekly Reflection
• COVID Vaccine Update
• BHS Forms

As a society, we are beginning to look at Covid differently. This new approach requires adjusting current practices to incorporate what will become long term habits. Through these efforts, we will be best able to manage both the science and the human impact of this virus. To this end, Atlantic General will once again take a phased approach to remove masking mandates among associates, visitors, and patients. These updates DO NOT apply to non-vaccinated associates, who must continue to wear N-95s at all times per the CMS final rule.

*Throughout and following implementation of the below changes, all individuals (associates, staff, visitors) will maintain self-screening and attestation as per current standards. Standard precautions and masking of patients and associates are to be implemented, regardless of phase, as needed when concerns for infection transmission or exposure risk exists.

Phase 1*⁺ (Proposed Go Live 10/24/22):

Vaccinated associates working in AGH/AGHS non-patient facing areas may remove masks in their office space and during meetings. Masking will remain in place for ALL other areas in hospital, health system, and outpatient treatment areas.

Phase 2*⁺ (Proposed Go Live 11/7/22):

AGH ONLY Vaccinated associates, patients, and visitors may remove masks in common areas, including hallways, and outpatient service areas. Patients receiving outpatient surgical services will require masking from the point of admission until discharge. ED patients and inpatients will be required to mask when interacting with staff in treatment areas. Masking will remain in place for ALL other areas of the hospital and throughout the health system.

Phase 3*^{+^} (Proposed Go Live 11/21/22):

Vaccinated associates, patients, and visitors in all AGHS and outpatient buildings may remove masks. Masking will remain in place for ALL other areas of the hospital.

+ If community transmission and positivity rates change, a requirement for universal masking may be revisited. If such changes occur, they will be communicated broadly by the Employee Health/Infection Control Dept.

^Additional phases to be added as needed pending ongoing trending of internal and external transmission rates.

References:

CDC. (2022). Covid-19 Data Tracker. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Maryland&data-type=Risk&list_select_county=24047

On October 25, 2022, we will be testing the emergency generator at the hospital for a period of 4.5 hours; this test will start at approx. 8:00am. During this time period, we will be operating under normal electrical power and our backup (2nd) generator will fully power any emergency loads in the unlikely event normal power fails.

On October 26, 2022, we will be testing the backup (2nd) generator for a period of 4.5 hours; this test will start at approx. 8:00am. During this time period, we will be operating under normal electrical power. In the unlikely event that we were to lose power during this test, our emergency generator will still be available to support the hospital’s emergency power needs, including the OR, egress lighting and red outlets. The backup (2nd) generator will not be available should normal power fail during the testing period but the emergency generator will.

Please remember that we expect NO interruption of power during testing and only one generator will be available to supply emergency power throughout the test periods at the hospital.

Emergency Department Volunteers

Front Row (left to right): Audrey Vanscoy; Laura Rohe; Ann Hamilton, Auxillary President; Steve Stein, Nancy Cartwright, ED Assistant Coordinator; Debbie Staufenberg, ED Coordinator; Nancy Jarvis; Vonnie Brown; Joyce Brittan; Toni Keiser.

Back Row (left to right): Jim Morvick; Ken Waters; Charlotte Cathell; Bruce Jarvis. 

Not pictured: Bill Megary; Joan Dempsey; Brooks Ensor.

The Emergency Department Volunteers are outstanding! The dedication and commitment these ladies and gentleman have to help is extraordinary. We also are very proud that they were the first volunteers that came back into the hospital after COVID restrictions were lightened, and they couldn’t wait to return.

Being a Volunteer in the Emergency Department is not easy. They see first-hand what is going on and how busy the department is. Helping turn over rooms between patients is essential and we certainly could not do this without them. They clean and make beds and help ensure the equipment is wiped down in the rooms for the next patient. They fill up the blanket warmer with fresh blankets. They pick up food trays from the cafeteria for our patients and take them back when they are done. Besides all of the tasks they do, they also are often assisting with communication back to the team and helping with comfort measures such as helping the nurses get someone a warm blanket or a glass of water. They truly are amazing!!!

When COVID cases spiked again this year in the Emergency Department during our busy Summer season, we were also challenged with holding inpatients at the same time. The department was overwhelmed on and off for weeks and every space possible was being utilized, including the overflow area that used to be outpatient Lab. The Volunteers jumped right in and worked beside us. Many picked up extra shifts and came in early or stayed late. They also started to help us in the Fast Track and overflow areas as well. The Emergency Department Team is extremely grateful for the partnership and teamwork these individuals share each and every day. Thank you for all that you do…you make such a difference!!!!!

Operating Room Risk Mitigation Team

Front Row (from left to right): Glenn Lebedz, Michael Polito, Heather Snyder, Bonnie Shope, Amy Holloway, Vonnie Brown.

Back Row (from left to right): Charlotte Cathell, Robert Yocubik

Heather Snyder, Mike Polito, Moira Horn, Amy Holloway and Bonnie Shope worked together to mitigate risk and promote workflow in the OR. The team identified risks related to the presences of MDROs in two of the operating suites. Heather provided surveillance, developed KPIs and engaged an outside vendor to provide environmental cultures. Mike Polito immediately reached out to Stanley Steamer to clean our ducts that were identified as contaminated. Bonnie, Amy and Moira worked to make sure that the daily flow continued to move smoothly through the OR with only two of the four rooms available. This was completed and all OR rooms were opened to capacity in less than five business days. Everyone came together with a common goal and made sure that our patients were safe, the medical staff had minimal impact and the flow of the OR was minimally impacted. Everyone worked together and did an outstanding job!

Medical Staff Credentialing

From Left to Right: Ann Bergey, Charlotte Cathell, Sharon Zimmerman, Ingrid Cathell, Vonnie Brown. Not pictured: Joyce Thomas

The Medical Staff Credentialing team has been nominated for the Dedication to Excellence Award for their above and beyond efforts in the month of May 2022. The team of two always exceeds expectations, however, during this particular month, they worked tirelessly to complete credential files on 21 radiologists in a month in order to meet a deadline for a telemedicine go-live.

Credentialing is a vital process for our organization where the providers' qualifications, education, experience and clinical practice history are evaluated and verified using a standardized series of guidelines. This process takes over 19 hours to complete for a single provider. On average, they complete 9-10 credential files per month. That’s a 100% increase in productivity for the month of May! Way to go Medical Staff Credentialing team. Their efforts truly deserve recognition!

Public Safety has recently begun using new Special Police Officer uniforms (SPOs Karl Klinke and Craig Koerner pictured above). Only those officers that have obtained their Special Police Officer Commission granted by the Governor of Maryland are permitted to wear the uniforms. The officers successfully completed over 80 hours of Maryland Police Training Commission courses. In addition to the 80 hours of training, each officer has successfully passed a Maryland State Police background check. These officers will have law enforcement powers on the properties owned or controlled by Atlantic General Hospital. Newly hired Public Safety Officers will wear the dark blue uniforms with Public Safety embroidered on the left breast pocket. These officers do not have Law Enforcement powers but may act as an agent for AGH. The Public Safety Department continues to strive to portray a professional appearance while serving the staff, patients and visitors of Atlantic General Hospital.

HUGGS in Action would like to celebrate this month's Values Ambassador, Dr. Laura Stokes!

"My daughter has been seeing Dr. Laura Stokes for many years, and I have always adored her. She has truly found her calling with pediatrics, and the community/families benefits drastically from her being in this specialty. The office as a whole is one I admire, start to finish. It truly takes a team to orchestrate it all, and I appreciate each and every staff member."

Maria Mulinos from our ED has notified us that she is willing to accept any P.T.O. that associates may be willing to donate to her for Medical Leave.

If you are interested in donating P.T.O. to Maria Mulinos, please complete the Donation of P.T.O. Form by clicking the button below and return it to Jennifer O’Leary in Human Resources. Fax 410-641-9715 or email: joleary@atlanticgeneral.org or Inter-Office Mailbox #27. Additional forms are available in the HR office.

Thank you for your consideration of this request to assist a fellow associate.

HUGGS in Action Welcomes New Associates!

Front row seated (left to right): Kathryn Russell, Emergency Department; Fantasia Gregory, Med Surg; Barbara Hartman, AGHS 10^th St

Second row standing (left to right): Ashley Perdue, Inpatient Medicine Program; Chelsea Lima, Med Surg; Nadya Hryczaniuk, Med Surg

Third row standing (left to right): Kyeisha Showell, Med Surg; Caitlin Crowley, Housekeeping; Michael Smith, Emergency Department 

October 23 - 29 is National Respiratory Care Week, and we would like to take this opportunity to recognize all our wonderful Respiratory Therapists! Thank you for all that you do for our patients and community!

Look for our rolling flu cart!

Employee Health will be administering QUADRIVALENT Flu vaccines in preparation for the for the 2022-2023 Flu season.

To maintain social distancing, our flu cart will be “ rolling “ in and out of departments.

Walk-In flu vaccines are also available in the Employee Health Department: M-F, 8am - 4pm.

Please remember all AGH/AGHS associates, medical staff, and volunteers are required to be immunized or have an exemption on file by 12/1/2022. Those with approved exemptions on file are required to mask throughout the duration of flu season.



We are excited to announce that Debbie Smullen from Worcester Goes Purple will be

offering free Narcan Training to all interested associates from 2:00pm-3:30pm

on November 16, 23 & 30. Sessions last approx. 10-15 minutes.

Check next week’s ELert for more information.……

Webinars / Coach Chats

Reclaim Your Joy

This fun, engaging presentation will help you tune in to what's most important

and make a simple plan for incorporating more joy into your daily routine.

WEBINAR : Reclaim Your Joy (10 pts)

Date: 10/26/2022

Time: 11:00am-11:30am

Register HERE

The Associate Getting Healthy Wellness Committee is working with Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services from October 17^th to October 31^st to facilitate a Food and Toiletry Drive for our homeless population.



Boxes will be delivered to departments throughout the hospital and health system. If you choose to participate in this drive please keep all boxes in associate breakrooms and out of all patient care areas.

* Hospital DONATION boxes are located in AGH cafeteria, Med Surg break room and Employee Health office

Thank you in advance for helping us help the homeless population of Worcester County.

Mark your calendars - the 2023 Penguin Swim is quickly approaching!

Please join us at the Princess Royale Oceanfront on January 1, 2023 for the 29th Annual Penguin Swim! Please visit www.aghpenguinswim.org or click the button below to register.

See the flyer below for more details.  

Join Chaplains Gail, Wendy, and Eric every week for Well-being Wednesdays To develop skills & strategies for resilience & well-being.

Stay Strong & Power On!

Over the past several weeks, several new Covid variants have begun circulating. The presence of these novel strains is already being felt in major metropolitan areas such as New York City. As we work locally to arm ourselves, ongoing immunity remains essential. Currently, the best way to ensure such immunity is through vaccination.

To optimize the safety of our associates, their families and the community, 100% of eligible Atlantic General Hospital employees are encouraged to receive their bivalent COVID-19 booster.

Based on CDC guidance, all individuals 12 years and up are recommended to receive a single booster dose administered at least 2 months after either:

• Completion of primary vaccination with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine
• Receipt of the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine

While booster dosing is currently not required by AGH (based on current CMS guidelines), receipt of a booster dose is the only way individuals may remain fully “up to date” on vaccines per CDC requirements.

For all the latest information about COVID-19 in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, please use the links below: