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October 2023


Welcome to

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's employee E-newsletter!

 

Delivered monthly by email, working@bmh features news, information, and announcements for BMH employees.

Executive Leadership Team

BMH Appoints Chief Physician Executive

of BMH Medical Group


by Chris Dougherty, CEO


I am extremely pleased and excited to announce that Dr. Helen Heneghan has accepted the role as Chief Physician Executive of BMH Medical Group. In this executive level position, Dr. Heneghan will be responsible for strategic planning, operations, financial performance, quality outcomes, patient/family experience and the staff experience within the BMH Medical Group.


In addition to her incredible track record has a physician leader, Dr. Heneghan has demonstrated sensational leadership qualities in her short time here as medical director. To aid in this transition we have brought in Jim Parobek to work directly with Dr. Heneghan. Jim is an experienced consultant with a tremendous background in leading large medical groups and transitioning them to value-based care.


Jim is currently working with Dr. Heneghan to establish the structure for the medical group. He is also working with Dr. Heneghan and ELT as we start to chart a course toward the value-based care future that awaits us.


Please join me in congratulating Dr. Heneghan in her new role, and welcoming Jim Parobek to his short-term engagement here at BMH.

Parking Reminder for EVs and Plug-In Hybrids


Parking at BMH vehicle chargers is only for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles while actively charging and working.


As a courtesy to our patients and other employees, please limit charging time to four hours per day.

You guys ROCK! Heather Ashcraft, Elaine Altmeier, Kayla Bristol, Melinda Buteau, Kristi Cardaropoli, Liliana Carignan, Vicky Chen, Montana Frehsee, Elizabeth Hubbard, Lorena Hubler, Shannon Mcintyre, Rebecca Mieczko, Tom Mimitz, Gabriella Molin, Kadence Moore, Anne Novelli, Carrie Quimby, Gail Robinson, Lily Smith, Amy Toscano, Hailey Tripaldi, Thea Waite, Jennifer Woods.

NEW FACES at BMH

(late September, early October 2023)

Kennie Antoine, RN

Staff RN, PCU

Jennifer Bonfiglio, Care Manager

Four Seasons OBGYN/Midwifery

Mary Elizabeth Burton, RN

Staff RN, PCU

Amity DeAngelis, PT Assistant

Physical Therapy

Tracy Demarco, RN

Staff RN, Emergency Department

Emerson Frehsee,

Tray Handler, Dietary

Alanna Erikson-Lahue

Imaging Access Coordinator

Radiology

Leah Lane,

Tray Handler, Dietary

Glenna Hart-Mercure

Inpatient Quality & Safety Mgr.

Quality and Risk Management

Aaliyah Sargent, LNA

PCU

Diana Truncale

Plant Operations Manager

Plant Services

BMH DEPARTMENT NEWS

Human Resources:


HR News & Information

for October 2023


by Nancy Glasheen,

Director of Human Resources



  • HR will be mailing 2023 Total Rewards (TR) statements in early November. Your TR statement will provide projected annualized information as of January 1, 2023. It will include your annual base salary, earned time off, employer provided benefits information, retirement savings, and employer contributions. Your TR statement will be mailed to the address we have on file. We are excited to offer this important summary of your total rewards as a BMH employee!


  • Open Enrollment will start on Wednesday, October 18th with an on-site Open Enrollment Benefits Fair in Brew Barry from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Joining us will be representatives from vendors that administer BMH's employee benefits including health, dental, vision, retirement, employee assistance, and more!

Patient Experience:

Working Effectively with Sign Language & Foreign Language Interpreters


by Konstantin von Krusenstiern


BMH recognizes the importance of ensuring every patient's experience is inclusive and accessible. A crucial aspect of this is effective communication with our patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, and non-English speaking.


By understanding and implementing best practices for working with sign language and foreign language interpreters, we can bridge gaps and create a more inclusive healthcare environment for all.


Understanding The Role of Certified Interpreters:


  • Communication is a two-way streetinterpreters play a pivotal role in facilitating this process.
  • Interpreting is a profession with national standards and clear role guidelines.
  • Interpreters are bound by a code of ethics, which prohibits the sharing of work-related information.
  • They interpret everything that is said, striving to accurately convey information.
  • Interpreters aim to take on the persona of the person speaking, ensuring messages are delivered authentically.
  • Their responsibility is to facilitate the transfer of information accurately and clearly.


When a patient requires an interpreter, it’s crucial to engage a qualified professional. At BMH, we utilize both in-person & video remote interpretation.


Certified Interpreter vs Friend/Family Member:


Certified Interpreters are:

  • trained professionals with specific credentials
  • bound by a code of ethics, ensuring ethical and professional conduct
  • fluent in foreign languages or American Sign Language (ASL). ASL interpreters are familiar with deaf culture.
  • able to remain neutral in various situations/settings.


Friends and Family Members:

  • are not certified or professionally trained
  • are not bound by a code of ethics, potentially leading to confidentiality concerns
  • may have limited English skills (or language in general) and lack an understanding of deaf culture
  • may struggle to remain neutral in sensitive situations


Best Practices When Working with Interpreters:


  • Establish Clear SightlinesEnsure both the patient and the interpreter have adequate lighting with an unobstructed view of each other.


  • Address the Patient DirectlySpeak directly to the patient (not the interpreter), maintain eye contact, and use natural gestures and expressions to enhance understanding.


  • Speak at a Moderate PaceAvoid speaking too quickly or too slowly. Speak at a normal volume using clear, natural speech. Remember to allow time for the interpreter to convey messages accurately.


  • Provide Written InformationWhenever possible, provide instructions, discharge summaries, and other important information in writing to supplement verbal or ASL-based communication.


  • Be Patient & RespectfulCommunication may take a little more time when working with patients who require an interpreter. That's perfectly normal. Be patient, and always show respect for the patient's communication preferences. Allow time for questions and clarification.


  • Inclusivity in DocumentationEnsure that patient records accurately reflect the patient's communication needs and preferences, and any specific accommodations required for future visits.


Thank you for observing these best practices. They allow us to make significant progress in creating a more inclusive and accessible healthcare environment. Together, we can ensure that every patient receives the exceptional care they deserve—regardless of their hearing abilities!

Here are some amazing facts about BMH's Pharmacy department:

  • Each month the BMH Pharmacy verifies in Cerner anywhere from 10,500 to 12,000 orders for medications for patients.
  • Each month, BMH Pharmacy staff compounds around 350 sterile products for inpatients, oncology, and infusion center patients.
  • On an average day, the BMH Pharmacy manages more than half a million dollars in inventory.
  • Each day, the BMH Pharmacy fills and maintains nine areas with Pyxis Dispensing Cabinets—with more coming next year! 

JEDI Committee:


Thank You to Everyone Who Participated in Last Month’s

JEDI Focus Groups


Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee (JEDI) was formed in 2022 to address and prevent disparities in the health and/or workplace experiences of patients and employees. Areas of focus include:

  • Race, Ethnicity, and Language (REaL)
  • Patients who identify within the marginalized social/gender identity spectrum such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic, Two-spirit, and more (LGBTQIA2S+)
  • Deaf and hard of hearing patients
  • Patients and others who are mobility-challenged
  • Patients challenged by socio-economic conditions otherwise known as Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)


Life expectancy in the United States is currently worse than in other developed nations, many of which spend less per citizen on healthcare than we do. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributes our country’s low ranking to inequities in healthcare. These inequities are seen in communities with people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); LGBTQIA2S+; disabled; and people challenged by SDoH conditions such as insufficient income for food and basic necessities. The resulting impacts include:

  • Metabolic syndrome and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in African Americans 
  • Maternal mortality and morbidity in African American and Indigenous Native American mothers
  • Some cancers in LGBTQIA2S+ patients.


At BMH, we recognize the need to act! That’s why we are:

  • Dropping laboratory and clinical algorithms that inappropriately separate measurements by race and that are no longer needed in a modern healthcare system
  • Collecting and analyzing REaL, LGBTQIA2S+, and SDoH data that will help us develop efforts to reduce disparities in our communities.
  • Hiring consultants to improve the work experience for BMH employees and the healthcare experience for traditionally marginalized groups.


We want to thank everyone who participated in last month's JEDI focus groups! Your contributions will help inform the survey that will be going out to all staff in November! Be on the lookout for the survey link along with new and creative ideas for your participation in this important work!

Medical Staff Office:

 

Meet Our Credentialing Team!

 

by Alison Marino

 

I am happy to share that in addition to my role as Dr. McGraw’s executive assistant, I have accepted a new role as medical staff office manager. I’m looking forward to this new

chapter at BMH.


Today I invite you to take a moment to meet

our wonderful credentialing team:
















Sarah McLeroy, MPH, Credentialing Coordinator

 

Sarah re-joined BMH in November of 2022. Since her first day back, she has made an incredibly positive impact on the Medical Staff Office. Her enthusiasm, focus, and motivation to think creatively about improving “all things” credentialing is truly inspiring.

 

In Sarah's own words:

 

“I have worn many hats in the medical field: EMT/Firefighter, LNA, Medical Assistant, Unit Coordinator, and working for a startup company focusing on mental health for those who struggle with infertility. 

 

I hold a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Public Health. I will begin a graduate certificate program in Healthcare Administration this fall." 

 

FUN FACT: Sarah and her husband met here at BMH in the ED! She was a unit coordinator, and he worked for Rescue Inc.

Cheryl Christophe

Credentialing Specialist

 

Cheryl joined BMH this July. Since day one she has jumped in to learn our systems and understand how she can best support our community. Cheryl’s ability to quickly and thoughtfully organize a vast array of information into a cohesive resource is incredibly impressive.

 

In Cheryl's own words:

 

“I came to Vermont from rural Pennsylvania to help my brother’s family at the beginning of the pandemic. This has allowed me to indulge a love of arts and crafts, and cooking and baking with a niece and nephew who have brought such joy to my life.

 

My background is in call center and pharmacy work. I look forward to taking part in BMH’s splendid community work." 

 

FUN FACT: Cheryl is a cake pop creator. She's thinking her next batch will be Maple Walnut Cheesecake.

BMH Auxiliary:


Fundraiser Brings in $2,500

The BMH Auxiliary Board members would like to thank everyone who baked for or donated to our Welcome Center Coffee Break fund-raiser earlier this year. With your help we raised $2500! That’s a lot of cookies, chili dogs, and whoopie pies!


The BMH Auxiliary has been in existence since the early 1920s. It has gone from supporting the hospital by rolling rags for bandages to more recent contributions like purchasing wheelchairs, baby bags for new moms, glucometer testing kits for patients in need, Teddy Bears, coloring books and crayons for pediatric patients, and making the holiday stocking/baby buntings for newborns.


If you would like information on how you can get involved in any capacity, please contact JoAnne Rogers, manager of Greeters/Transport/Volunteers & Auxiliary Liaison, at 802-257-8238 or jrogers@bmhvt.org.

Quality Department:

Please Stop by on Thursday, October 19th

 in the Brew Barry Conference Center

Infection Prevention

BMH Approves Option for Contingency Staffing Workflow


by Aaron Malkowski, Infection Preventionist


In anticipation of respiratory virus season, BMH has updated its Return-to-Work Policy to more closely align with CDC guidance. This decision takes into account the need to minimize exposure risk while also minimizing potential impact to staffing/operations.


Our biggest change is that, should a staffing shortage occur, department directors may now utilize a Contingency Staffing Workflow that allows for staff to return to work earlier than what's called for in conventional workflows (provided, however, that returning staff members use an N95 or surgical/procedural masks and are experiencing improved symptoms). Please reach out to your department director with questions.


BMH will adjust its policies and procedures as needed to continue aligning with best practices and CDC guidance. We ask that you please:

  • Continue to report symptoms to Employee Health by calling 257-8305. It is best to do this BEFORE your shift!
  • Stay home when you're sick.
  • Remember to wear a mask when you have symptoms.
  • Order your free COVID test kits from the Federal Government today. Click HERE, fill in the form, and click “Check Out Now.”

AROUND BMH

Todd Perry, RN, Honored with AAA Star of Life


Congratulations to Todd Perry, RN, recent recipient of an American Ambulance Association Star of Life.


Todd works as an EMT with Rescue Inc., and also as a critical care float nurse here at BMH. A written statement from Rescue Inc., said "[Todd] has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to our community and the EMS profession, going above and beyond the call of duty in every aspect of his work. Todd’s got that spark."


















Check Out the Wonderful "Kudos for Colleagues"

on SharePoint!



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