Pulse Employee Newsletter - February 2, 2021

More News

Black Excellence @ Mass General Brigham Employee Resource Group

Join us for the launch event of Mass General Brigham’s first system-wide Employee Resource Group (ERG): Black Excellence @ Mass General Brigham. This virtual event on Wednesday, February 3, noon-1:30 pm will celebrate Black achievements over our organization’s history and create a space of dialogue and learning for our Black employees and allies. There will be a fireside chat with guest speaker Wayne Budd, the first Black President of the Massachusetts Bar Association, and a panel of our Black colleagues who are the new leadership for this ERG. Learn more about Black Excellence @ Mass General Brigham.

Employee Applause Event Today at 11:30 am!  

Join us today, Tuesday, February 2 from 11:30 am – 1 pm outside the cafeteria for brownies to recognize and thank staff at all levels of the organization for their incredible commitment to taking care of our patients, their families and each other, especially during these trying times. Visit BWFHconnect for additional dates and times for Employee Applause events.

February Education Calendar Now Available  

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s monthly Education Calendar is now available, which contains listings for many core competencies, trainings and career development opportunities here on our campus, as well as at Mass General Brigham and BWH. You can also view the complete course offerings on BWFHconnect (intranet).

Visitor Policy Reminder and Guidance Regarding End of Life Visitors

To create greater consistency regarding visitors for patients at End of Life (EOL), Mass General Brigham has issued a new definition and guidelines.  All units have access to devices to ensure patients can virtually connect with their loved ones. Thank you in advance for using this resource to support patients as visitor restrictions remain in place.  See details on BWFHconnect.

New Birthday Messages Encourage Healthy Habits

Starting next week, all Mass General Brigham employees will receive an email on their birthday that includes links to health and wellness resources and tools for finding a primary care provider. This initiative is supported by Human Resources and the Population Health team.

Birthdays are not only a milestone to celebrate, but they are also a great time for a renewed focus on health. These emails will provide links to resources for age-appropriate recommended screenings and wellness tips so employees can start their new year on healthy note. Those who do not want to receive the annual message can unsubscribe using an opt-out link available on The Pulse. Learn more about the birthday card and other wellness initiatives on The Pulse.

BWFHconnect Now Available in More than 80 Languages

Content on BWFHconnect (intranet) can now be translated into more than 80 languages using the Google Translate feature. The Google Translate drop down menu appears at the top of each BWFHconnect page, and users can select their preferred language to have the text on the page translated. Please note, this feature works only in Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari browsers.

Free Online College Preparation Program – Register by February 12

Prepare for online learning success with Workforce Development’s free Online College Preparation Program (OCPP), which now features a new learning platform. OCPP teaches common terms associated with online learning, encourages connections amongst colleagues in a supportive virtual learning environment and acts as a simulation of actual online courses. Employees will complete an assessment of their own strengths before diving into further education and each participant is given five weeks to complete this asynchronous program. The OCPP includes three courses:

1. Online Readiness Course: Learn the vocabulary and tools used in the online learning environment.
2. Time Management: Learn how you currently spend your time and tips to help you balance priorities.
3. Study Skills: Discover your individual learning style and help you optimize your study time.

There is also a new strengths and interests inventory capstone project included. The OCPP is beneficial as a stand-alone learning tool and is also a required prerequisite to apply for Quinsigamond Community College’s Online Medical Terminology course. The next session begins February 22, so register by February 12 by visiting the OCPP information page on the Ask my HR Portal.

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Surveillance and Monitoring Dashboard

MA Situational Update as of January 17, 2021

98,750 active COVID+ cases
3,224 new daily COVID+ cases
The 7-day percent positivity average is 5.91 percent

BWFH Situational Update as of February 2, 2021:
Admitted COVID+ Patients as of 7am: 30
Admitted COVID PUI Patients as of 7am: 16

BWFH Vaccine Update of February 1, 2021:
63 percent of BWFH based employees have chosen to receive their first dose of vaccine
35 percent of BWFH employees have chosen to receive their second dose of vaccine

Coming February 3 – Changes to Scheduling Employee Asymptomatic Testing at BWFH
Beginning Wednesday, February 3 at 8 pm, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s asymptomatic employees can schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test through COVID Pass. This change is part of our transition from the LabPass system to EPIC.

• Employees will schedule their appointment through COVID Pass using a process similar to vaccination appointment scheduling. Click here to view instructions on COVID-19 test scheduling through COVID Pass.
• Employees who are not COVID Pass users will be able to schedule their COVID testing appointment outside of the testing site when the clinic is open; we anticipate that this ‘walk-in’ scheduling will take longer and will not guarantee a same day testing time.
• Results will be available in Patient Gateway, and turnaround time for results is not expected to change. Click here to view instructions on enrolling in Patient Gateway.
• Employees will be able to schedule 1 elective COVID test every 7 days through COVID Pass.

Vaccine Information for the Public

The best place for staff and patients to get up-to-date information about the vaccine, including frequently asked questions, is on the vaccine section of massgeneralbrigham.org.

Communication is also being sent directly to patients through Patient Gateway on a regular basis. For tips on talking to patients, please review these patient talking points.

Safety Highlight of the Week

Last week, the Patient Safety Department added a new specific event type into the RL Safety Reporting System. The new specific event type called Mandated Reporting Filed is found within the Safety/Security icon. The new category was created so that clinical teams can enter reports to accompany situations where they complete mandated reporting regarding abuse of patients in protected categories that happened outside the hospital. Read the complete edition of View the latest issue of Last Week in Patient Safety (intranet).

Save the Date

Employee Applause Event
Tuesday, February 2
11:30 to 1 pm
Third Floor Cafeteria

Digital Launch of Black Excellence Resource Group
Wednesday, February 3
12 noon to 1:30 pm
Virtual 

De-Escalation Recert/Initial Training
Friday, February 5
8 am to 12 noon
Saslow Conference Room

Success with Stress: Yoga at your Desk
Tuesday, February 9
12 noon to 12:30 pm
EAP Webinar

Financial Webinar: Home Buying
Wednesday, February 10
12 noon to 1 pm
EAP Webinar

De-Escalation Recert/Initial Training
Friday, February 19
8 am to 12 noon
Saslow Conference Room

BWFH Links

• APP Affair
• BWFH Calendar of Events
• BWFHconnect
• BWFH MD News & Views
• BWFH Nurse
• BWFH Perks
• BWFH Pulse – Email Edition
• BWFH Pulse – Print Edition
• Employment Opportunities
• Last Week in Patient Safety
• Monthly Education Calendar