Pulse Employee Newsletter - March 16, 2021

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Employee Applause Event – Thursday, March 18 from 6:30 – 8 am and Sunday, March 21 from 12 noon – 1 pm

Members of the Rewards and Recognition Committee will be handing out special treats on Thursday, March 18 from 6:30 – 8 am in the third floor entrance and will be rounding on Sunday, March 21 from 12 noon – 1 pm with another treat 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. 

Join the Nurses of Color Employee Resource Group

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital is launching a Nurses of Color Employee Resource Group (ERG) and want you to get involved.  Members will be instrumental in helping to create an ERG that supports nurses of color in their professional and personal growth as we aspire to create an environment where all nurses of color can aspire, develop and collaborate to reach our highest individual and group potential. 

A kick off meeting is being held on Tuesday, March 16 from 5 – 6 pm via Zoom.  Please contact Nenser Krua, Patricia Louijame or Suzelle Saint-Eloi for the Zoom invite information and link.

Cafeteria to Host Special St. Patrick’s Day Menu

Visit BWFH’s cafeteria on St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17 for a special menu featuring:

• Full Irish breakfast of eggs, bangers, rashers, beans, black pudding, grilled tomatoes and roasted mushrooms.
• Lunch menu to include your choice of Irish meals – Corned beef and cabbage or fish and chips.
• There will also be McDonnell’s Irish curry fries and a special green dessert.
• Shortbread cookies and tea will be available from 3 – 4 pm.
• A small treat will be given to anyone dressed in green!

In addition, the cafeteria will be featuring a Buddha Bowl special on Thursday, March 18 and in honor of St. Joseph’s Day on Friday, March 19 will be offering cherry zeppole and cream filled zeppole.

Save the Date: 5^th Annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit

Participate in this year’s virtual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit on May 19 and 20, 8:30 am – 12 noon, for two days of learning and engagement. Mass General Brigham has identified diversity, equity and inclusion as focus areas of the highest priority that are aligned with the goals of United Against Racism.

This can’t-miss two-day event that will feature:

• Isabel Wilkerson, Author of Caste
• Leana Wen, MD, CNN Commentator
• David Williams, PhD, MPH, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health

For more information, email diversityinclusion@partners.org.

Free Backup Childcare from Bright Horizons in March and April

In a childcare bind? Bright Horizons is offering benefits-eligible Mass General Brigham employees backup childcare that is free of charge during March and April. In-home backup care is available for 20 uses from now until June 30, 2021. Visit Bright Horizons to get started. If prompted, enter username: Partners and password: Benefits4You. For more information about our partnership with Bright Horizons, visit Ask My HR.

Tips for Using Zoom/Teams in BWFH Conference Rooms

Many BWFH conference rooms are set up to offer Zoom or Microsoft Teams video conference capabilities. For more information and instructions, including tip sheets, for using these services in conference rooms, click here.

Training on using Zoom and Microsoft Teams in conference rooms is also available. To schedule training, please email BWFHAudioVisual@partners.org. A ServiceNow ticket will get generated and sent to your inbox. For further troubleshooting or questions, please contact Matt Whittaker at mwhittaker1@partners.org or Pager Number: 61577.

BWFH Nursing Awards – Nominations Accepted Through April 2

Each year, during National Nurses Week, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital celebrates its nurses and support staff with awards recognizing excellence in critical thinking, commitment to patient teaching, continuing education, outstanding delivery of patient- and family-centered care with compassion and dignity, and evidence-based practice. Do you have a coworker who deserves one of these awards? To submit a nomination, click here. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, April 2.

BWFHconnect Now Available in More than 80 Languages

Content on BWFHconnect 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.

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Surveillance and Monitoring Dashboard

MA Situational Update as of March 14, 2021

26,502 active COVID+ cases
1,004 new daily COVID+ cases
The 7-day percent positivity average is 1.73 percent 

BWFH Situational Update as of March 16, 2021:

Admitted COVID+ Patients as of 6 am: 21
Admitted COVID PUI Patients as of 6 am: 11

BWFH Vaccine Update of March 15, 2021:

66 percent of BWFH based employees have chosen to receive their first dose of vaccine
65 percent of BWFH employees have received their second dose of vaccine

N95 Respirator Update

Per Mass General Brigham guidance, BWFH will be moving back to our normal supply of N95 Respirators.

BWFH Environmental Health and Safety has been working with Unit Leadership to re-fit the necessary personnel.  Employees who are using the Halyard Duckbill (size Small and Regular) MUST request a fit test appointment to be refitted.  Learn more and request a fit test today.

Coping with Stress, Mental Health Issues and Burnout During COVID-19

The last year has represented significant stress for health care workers in all settings. The cumulative effects from COVID-19 include fear, grief, isolation, changes in job routine and juggling work and home life. Collectively this has triggered concerns about burnout.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is not a diagnosis but rather a combination of symptoms, which can include:

• Exhaustion
• Cynicism and detachment
• Loss of ability to empathize and connect
• Feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment

The result is that individuals who are committed to caring for others are not able to do so as effectively and efficiently as possible, and they are unable to thrive personally and professionally. Learn more about the impact of COVID-19 on burnout, the well-being of health care workers and how to maintain your well-being on the EAP website.

Vaccine Information for Employees

All health care workers are considered part of the state’s Phase 1 vaccination plan. All unvaccinated Mass General Brigham employees can schedule their COVID vaccine through COVID Pass. For assistance, view the tip sheet or speak with your manager. Please note that employee and patients will now be vaccinated at the same sites.

Need to Know: Employee Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In accordance with current public health guidance, Mass General Brigham is continuing to discourage travel. The freeze on work-related travel has been extended through June 30, 2021 and will be revisited two months prior, or sooner as needed. Whether traveling for personal reasons or for approved work-related travel, employees are required to comply with state public health requirements with respect to testing and quarantine, and additionally, for those traveling internationally, with testing and quarantine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Employees can learn more about the Travel Policy and the process for applying for exemptions for work-related travel on The Pulse.

Volunteer to Staff Community-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Mass General Brigham is pleased to be partnering with community-based organizations to help vaccinate residents in communities hardest hit by COVID-19 including Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Lynn. These volunteer opportunities will be short term (e.g. 1-2 days for 2-4 hours) and there are several clinical and non-clinical roles where you can play an important part in the ongoing effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the vaccine clinics and register your availability to help in this important effort.

Safe Care Commitment: Dining Guidelines

While the CDC recently released guidance on what fully vaccinated individuals can do once fully vaccinated in non-healthcare settings, we want to remind you that we must continue to adhere to our Safe Care Commitment guidelines on facility premises and recommend adherence to public health recommendations for staying safe in community settings. At Mass General Brigham facilities, including Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, removal of your hospital-issued mask to eat or drink is permitted in designated locations only when 6 feet of distance can be maintained. Follow these tips to uphold our Safe Care Commitment during meal breaks at work.

Last Week in Patient Safety

Safety Highlight of the Week

Members of the Food and Nutrition Department and the Speech and Language Pathology Department have been working collaboratively over the past year to prepare the hospital for the transition to the new International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI). Read the complete edition of Last Week In Patient Safety.

Save the Date

30 Minute Yoga at Your Desk
Tuesday, March 16
12 noon to 12:30 pm
EAP Webinar

Pillars of Excellence Award Ceremony
Wednesday, March 17
10 to 11 am
Virtual/Livestream 

De-Escalation Recert/Initial Training
Friday, March 19
8 am to 12 noon
Via Zoom

Comparing Award Letters
Wednesday, March 24
12 noon to 1 pm
EAP Webinar

A Maven’s World 9th Annual Two Day Virtual Women’s Conference (MGB Sponsoring)
Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27
Time varies
Virtual via Zoom

De-Escalation Recertification Training
Friday, March 26
3:30 to 7:30 pm
Via Zoom

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