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Pulse Employee Newsletter - March 23, 2021

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BWFH Pulse Now Available in 150 Languages

  • If you’d like to read BWFH Pulse in a different language, click on the ‘Select Language’ icon in the top right of that page. Please note that the ‘Select Language’ feature only works in Chrome and Firefox, not Internet Explorer. For mobile users, you can click the ‘Menu’ button in the top right and then select your language. 
  • Para verlo en español, haga clic en el ícono ‘Select Language’ en la parte superior de esta página. Tenga presente que la función ‘Select Language’ solo sirve para Chrome y Firefox, no para Internet Explorer. Para usuarios de dispositivos móviles, se puede hacer clic en el botón ‘Menu’ en el extremo superior derecho y luego seleccionar su idioma.
  • Pou wè li an Kreyòl Ayisyen, klike sou imaj ‘Select Language’ ki anlè paj sa a. Tanpri sonje ke fonksyonalite ‘Select Language’ la mache sèlman sou Chrome ak Firefox, pa sou Internet Explorer. Pou itilizatèaparèy mobil yo, ou kapab klike sou bouton ‘Menu’ a ki anlè adwat epi apresa chwazi lang ou an.

BWFH Emerging Leaders co-chair Katie Plante with the group's Diaper Drive collection.

Diaper Drive Benefits Local Community

BWFH's Advanced Practice Providers Council recently got together to support a diaper and feminine product drive hosted by BWFH's Emerging Leaders Committee to benefit local community members in need. In collaboration with Brigham Health's Emergency Department PAs, the APP Council was able to donate more than $500 in addition to supplies for the drive. At left is BWFH Emerging Leaders co-chair Katie Plante with some of the group’s donations.

"The support and generosity of Brigham Health's ED PAs in our joint initiatives demonstrates how our work together across the hospitals makes us stronger," says BWFH Chief Advanced Practice Provider Johanna Baldassari, NP. "I look forward to our continued collaboration!"

More News

Pillars of Excellence Awards Recipients Announced in Virtual Ceremony

Last week, BWFH announced the recipients of this year’s Pillars of Excellence Awards (formerly the Partners in Excellence Awards).  If you missed the virtual event you can watch the video or see a list of this year’s honorees.

Cafeteria Highlights

Visit BWFH’s cafeteria this week for a host of special offerings:

  • Tuesday’s menu features inspirational dishes from Thailand
  • Wednesday’s menu will bring an Italian feast to your plate
  • Thursday is International Waffle Day and Greek Independence Day! To start the day the cafeteria will have a special waffle bar with toppings that include fresh blueberries & lemon mascarpone, Nutella with fresh sliced strawberries and coconut whipped cream, or Banana Churro with fresh bananas, cinnamon sugar & caramel sauce drizzle. The grill will feature a special Greek omelet. The celebration continues through lunch where there be will featured Greek entrees and soup, waffles and chicken or chorizo at our special station and loaded waffle fries at the grill. For the afternoon coffee break between 3 and 4 pm, the cafeteria will have pizzella (Italian waffle cookies) for those that come and buy a coffee or tea.
  • Friday we will be honoring Jewish heritage with an early Passover celebration menu

Save the Date: 5th 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.

Innovation Digital Education Academy (IDEA)

Mass General Brigham’s Innovation Digital Education Academy (IDEA) is a new, year-long program focused on Innovation and Digital Health. Each month, we will host a special session highlighting key individuals and innovations happening within the digital health space.

  • March 30, 2021 at 12:30 pm:Equity Access and Inclusion in Digital Health will feature Sandy Aronson; Joe Betancourt, MD; Lee Park, MD; Cheryl Clark, MD; and Jorge Rodriguez, MD, discussing digital health access and impacts particularly from the perspective of patient care.
  • April 28, 2021 at 3:30:Drivers of Technology Convergence: AI, ML, and Predictive Analytics will feature Mass General Brigham data science and health leaders discussing data analytics, cloud computing, machine learning (ML), predictive analytics and Internet of Things (IoT).

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.

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 (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.

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

Vaccine Information for Employees

All health care workers are considered part of the state's Phase 1 vaccination plan. Employees can be vaccinated at any of our vaccination sites using COVID Pass. For employees unable to use COVID Pass seeking dose 1 (initial vaccination appointments), please call the COVID Call Center to schedule an appointment: 781-960-1567.

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.

Last Week in Patient Safety

Recently, a safety report was submitted regarding a hazardous material spill in the OR. Read the complete edition of Last Week In Patient Safety (intranet).

Save the Date

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

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

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

Equity Access and Inclusion in Digital Health (Innovation Digital Education Academy (IDEA) Symposium
Tuesday, March 30
12:30 to 1:30 pm
Via Zoom

Manager Webinar - Managing the Impact of Critical Incidents: Helping Build Workplace Resilience
Wednesday, March 31
12 noon to 12:45
EAP Webinar

BWFH Links

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