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Pulse Employee Newsletter - May 18, 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.

More News

Clark Named Associate Hospital Epidemiologist

Roger Clark, DO, has been named Associate Hospital Epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital in recognition of the expanded role he has taken on during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

Senior Director of Surgical and Procedural Services Earns Top Healthcare Management Credential

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Senior Director of Surgical and Procedural Services Jeffrey Blackwell recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders. Read more.

Hospitalist Receives Harvard Grant

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital hospitalist and infectious disease specialist Pooja R. Chitneni, MD, has recently been awarded a grant from the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research, which she will use to create and validate a tool to measure HIV disclosure in Uganda. Read more.

Equity in a Time of Crisis: 2021 Check-Up on DE&I Report

The Mass General Brigham Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) has released its second annual Check-Up on DE&I Report: Equity in a Time of Crisis. To read the full report, click here.

Announcements

Safety Highlight of the Week

Recently, a safety report was submitted regarding an equipment issue in the OR. While the Biomed team performed preventative maintenance on the anesthesia machines at BWFH, some staff reported problems with the anesthesia machines not updating to Epic. Read the complete edition of Last Week In Patient Safety.

Read the 2021 National Patient Safety Goals

The purpose of the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals is to improve patient safety. The goals focus on problems in healthcare safety and how to solve them. Click here to read the goals for 2021.

BE FAST: May Is National Stroke Awareness Month

This National Stroke Awareness Month, remember BE FAST. Symptoms of stroke can be very subtle, so it is important not to overlook even the smallest changes in a patient’s health. When it comes to stroke, BE FAST and call 911 (or Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s RRT team).

Balance – Loss of balance, dizziness
Eyes – Vision changes
Face – Facial drooping, severe headache
Arms – Weakness, numbness
Speech – Trouble speaking, confusion
Time – Call 911

Free to Employees! Online Computer Classes from United Training

Interested in brushing up on or learning some new computer skills? We have a limited number of seats available for one-hour remote classes with United Training. BWFH employees, click here for a list of topics and to register for a course. Click here for instructions on how to register. When registering for a course, be sure to choose I am paying through a Company and Prepaid Training. Have questions or need help registering, email Mary Duggan or call ext. 4634.

Questions About Infection Prevention? Page 61695

Here at BWFH, patient, visitor and staff safety is always our top priority. That’s why infection prevention is so important. If you have a question or concern about infection prevention—environmental concerns, questions about precaution status, information on donning and doffing PPE, etc.—page 61695. Infection Preventionist Brittany Herrick, BSN, RN, is on call to address concerns and answer questions.

Register for the Virtual B.A.A. 10K by May 27 to Receive a Shirt!

Will you lace up your sneakers and join us for the Virtual B.A.A. 10K (June 25-27) presented by Brigham and Women’s Hospital? Start a team, join a team or participate on your own to support any area of Brigham Health. Teams raise money to support cancer research, Alzheimer’s research, the Caregivers Fund, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion fund to name a few. Simply sign up by May 27 and commit to raising at least $100 to guarantee your shirt and receive it before race day! Register now! Learn more at runbwh.org/10K or email Caroline Duncan at bwhteam@partners.org.

Apply Today! Stepping Strong Innovator Awards

The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation is now accepting applications for the 2021 Stepping Strong Innovator Awards. The $100,000 awards fund outstanding research and innovation to improve the prevention, treatment and care of traumatic injury. The center expects to provide several grants, to be announced at the 2021 Stepping Strong Trauma Research and Innovation Symposium in November of 2021. Learn about the Innovator Awards program and this year’s focus areas, read the Frequently Asked Questions and view the application. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 23, 2021 at 12 noon EST.

COVID-19 Updates

Update on Inpatient COVID-19 Vaccinations

Following the decision by the FDA and CDC to lift the pause on the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the Mass General Brigham COVID-19 vaccination program expanded to the inpatient setting on May 3, launching with the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, starting at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital as a pilot. Now, the program is available at all acute care hospitals, including Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital. Additional information on the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 FDA Emergency Use Authorization may be found on The Pulse. Questions? Contact the Pharmacy at ext. 7247.

Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine? Ask a Badge Buddy

Across Mass General Brigham employees are continuing to get vaccinated. In fact, as of May 5, 82 percent of MGB employees have received the vaccine. If you have not yet received the vaccine, it’s not too late! The vaccines are safe, and they protect you, your family and friends, but many colleagues still have questions. If you need answers, simply look for a colleague wearing a badge that says “Ask Me About the COVID-19 Vaccine.”

New Way for Patients to Schedule Vaccine Appointments

Mass General Brigham is offering first-dose appointments for the COVID-19 vaccines to patients who are eligible under the state’s vaccine distribution plan. MGB patients can schedule a vaccine appointment on our new scheduling website. Please note, any patient under 18 needs a parent or guardian’s consent which can be found here.

Reminder: Public Health Guidance for Masking Related to Vaccination Status Has NOT Changed in Healthcare Settings

As vaccination coverage increases and the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community decreases, public health guidance around masking for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals is changing. And while the CDC has provided guidance on activities that are safe for fully vaccinated individuals, they note that their new recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings only. As such, the Mass General Brigham Universal Mask Policy remains in effect for all employees, patients and visitors—regardless of their vaccination status. Please note that masking rules outside of the healthcare setting are set by state and local authorities.

Reminder: Policies on Massachusetts Order on Outdoor Masking

As we continue to make progress with vaccination coverage and declining community prevalence of COVID-19, public health guidance and state/local regulations are adjusting as well. As of Monday, May 3, the Facility Density and In-Person Gathering Policy has been updated to allow for individuals to be unmasked in outdoor locations on Mass General Brigham premises when reliably separated by six feet, consistent with the Mass. Masking Order. This policy has also been updated to permit guests for approved off-site social gatherings. Read the full policy.

In concert, the Universal Mask Policy has been updated to reflect the application of state/local regulations related to face coverings in outdoor locations on Mass General Brigham premises. Read the full policy. Note that common questions, including about holding outdoor meetings, off-site events, gatherings and group photos, are addressed in the accompanying updated FAQs. Employees should continue to adhere to state/local regulations with respect to masking, distance and other public health measures, which may differ from state to state.

Save the Date

EAP Webinar: Estate Planning
Tuesday, May 18
12 noon to 1 pm
ZOOM

5th Annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit
Wednesday, May 19
8:30 am to 12 noon
ZOOM

Volunteer Opportunity: George Washington Carver Lodge
Wednesday, May 19
11 am to 5 pm
80 Talbot Ave, Dorchester, MA

Schwartz Rounds: Coping with the Loss of a Young ICU Patient from COVID-19
Wednesday, May 19
12 noon to 1 pm
ZOOM

NRC Patient Experience Survey Service Alert Training Session
Wednesday, May 19
2 to 2:50 pm
ZOOM

Faulkner Fit
Wednesday, May 19
4 to5 pm
Meet in Atrium Lobby

NRC Patient Experience Survey Service Alert Training Session
Friday, May 21
8 to 8:50 am
ZOOM

De-Escalation Recert/Initial Training
Friday, May 21
8 am to 12 noon
ZOOM

Volunteer Opportunity: George Washington Carver Lodge
Monday, May 24
11 am to 5 pm
80 Talbot Ave, Dorchester, MA

NRC Patient Experience Survey Service Alert Office Hours
Monday, May 24
1 to 1:30 pm
ZOOM

NRC Patient Experience Survey Service Alert Office Hours
Tuesday, May 25
8:30 to 9 am
ZOOM

BWFH Links

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