VA St. Louis Health Care System Employee Update
Oct. 10, 2024
Did You Know? Director gives insight on encounters, scholarships and more
Happy Thursday, VA St. Louis Team. Here’s a “Did You Know” quiz for you – Did You Know that there is still time left to close patient encounters from Fiscal Year 2024? The team has done an amazing job and our encounters are up 10 percent compared to FY23. And you have closed well over 99 percent of our Veteran patient encounters. Thank you! We still need to make sure that each encounter we have with a Veteran is closed - for the Veterans' care and their treatment files. It takes a team to take care of our patients. And everyone on the care team has encounters with Veteran patients. Less than 1 percent is a great achievement and sounds like a small amount, but we want to get credit for the work you’re doing. The way we get credit is through Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) dollars, and it’s all budget related. While it takes two years to catch up (we’ll get money for 2024 closed encounters in 2026), money is allocated to medical centers based on the number of encounters we close. If they’re left open past the deadline, which is Oct. 14 this year, we won’t receive money you and your teams have earned for those encounters. This is why it’s so important to capture your work by closing your encounters. We know it’s sometimes challenging and in the coming year, we’re going to work together to make it easier to close these encounters timely. Thank you for the work you’ve already done. We will do even better in the coming year as we work together.
Right: Veronica Archer, Facility Engineering Service JB Program Support Assistant, talks with Ms. Ifabiyi at the Safety Fair at JB last week. Reminder: You can check out the JC Safety Fair between Tuesday and Thursday. See the Annoucements on Page 2 or the flyer on Page 3 for info.
Did You Know that recently for the first time , our team administered medication called Tenecteplace, or TNK, to a patient. This is huge news because the job of this medication, a type of thrombolytic, is to bust blood clots caused when the patient has a stroke. Timely administration of TNK saves brain cells that otherwise would be damaged by stroke. I’m thrilled with this progress and so happy we have this life-saving medication available. Kudos to everyone involved in making this happen.
Here’s another one. Did You Know that we are, and have been, in the window for our triennial Joint Commission visit? It’s true! So what does that mean to you? The Joint Commission visits healthcare facilities every three years as part of an accreditation process. In some ways, it’s not unlike many of the 56 visits we’ve had this year where they look at what we’re doing, annotate where we have
See Director , Page 3
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College After Work Scholarship Opportunity! The College After Work program provides funding for employees seeking to complete their first baccalaureate degree. Through a partnership between a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and the VA St. Louis Health Care System, eligible VASTLHCS employees can earn up to 45 college credits applicable toward the employee’s degree. Program requirements: Full-time employee of VASTLHCS. One year of employment with no less than a satisfactory rating on most recent performance appraisal. No disciplinary actions within the past 12 months. Approval from supervisor and service chief. Complete application (Final applicants need HR & Director approval). Scholastic requirements: Submit a high school, GED and/or college transcript with minimum grade of “C” in courses. Completion of the free college placement exam. Sign a service obligation contract. Program details: Student will complete 1 or 2 courses per semester up to a maximum of 45 credit hours. Official college credits awarded upon successful completion of exams. Medical Center will pay tuition for approved courses. Courses are offered in person or online at the following schools: Harris-Stowe State College Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville University of Missouri St. Louis
Southwestern Illinois College St. Louis Community College. Deadline for applications is Nov. 23 for Spring 2025 classes. Reach out to Kathleen Libke, Scholarship Program Coordinator, at ext. 53814; or Elizabeth Jenkins, EEO Program Manager, at 314-285-6137. Safety Fair with Employee Flu Shots! Head out to the Safety Fair at John Cochran on Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Thursday, Oct. 17 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. This annual event is a one-stop shop allowing you to check off a couple of boxes regarding annual training. You can also get your Employee Flu Shot. Remember, each VA employee is required to get the shot or provide documentation by Nov. 30. Employees can visit: Occupational Safety & Health Industrial Hygiene (Respirator Fit Testing)
Emergency Management Bio-Medical Engineering Safe Patient Handling Infection Prevention
Facility Engineering Voluntary services Whole Health VA Police EMS.
This event is highly encouraged for those requiring annual training or fit testing. Industrial Hygiene and Employee Occupational Health will visit JC inpatient areas on Oct. 16-17 from 2 to 4 a.m.
It was my initial visit because I transferred from (Virginia). The programs offered at JB are amazing and far more than my previous VA offered or I wasn’t informed of their existence there. ~ Veteran via VSignals
Inpatient Trust Last 90 days National: 91.7% VISN 15: 91.7% VASTLHCS: 80.6%
Outpatient Trust Last 90 days National: 92% VISN 15: 92.9% VASTLHCS: 91.5%
Emergency Room Trust Last 90 days
National: 89.9% VISN 15: 90.9% VASTLHCS: 89.5%
PX Change Agents are employees who want to lead change within their service line and throughout their local facility. PX Change Agents serve as champions, elevating local workforce concerns, sharing promising practices, and gathering lessons learned. We are looking for enthusiastic, highly motivated employees dedicated to providing world class health care to our Veterans. If you’re that person, we want you! If interested in becoming a PX Change Agent, please reach out to Jennifer.Hanks@va.gov
*** To learn more about Patient Experience and our scores, click below to visit our VASTLHCS Patient Experience (PX) Sharepoint .
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Director, from Page 1 challenges and give praise when we’re knocking it out of the park. It’s different, though, in that because they’re an accrediting body, it’s vital for us to do well. But I’m not worried. I’m not worried because if we’re doing the right things every day even without visitors watching, we’ll do the right things when they’re here. And if I’ve learned anything since I arrived over a year and a half ago, it’s that you want to do the right thing. And you know how I know you’re doing what is right? Because I see it when I round. I hear it from your leadership in our morning meeting. And those 56 visitors we’ve had? They told me. We’re not perfect, we still have things to work on, but I feel great about whenever The Joint Commission shows up – and you should too. You’ll start seeing tips on how to prepare for the visit from our Quality Management team. I recommend that you talk through these tips with your teams to ensure everyone knows what to expect. And remember, if you see something, say something. And finally, Did You Know we have a scholarship program for employees? That’s right! The College After Work Program is accepting applications through Nov. 23, 2024. To be eligible, you need to have worked here for at least a year, have at least a satisfactory on your most recent performance appraisal, have no disciplinary actions in the past 12 months and have approval from your supervisor and service chief. If you meet all of those requirements and are working on your first bachelor’s degree, you can earn up to 45 college credits – and we’ll foot the bill! Check out more information including on where to apply and who to contact if you have questions in the Announcements section of Page 2. That’s it for this week, everyone! I hope you have a great weekend – the weather looks like it will be beautiful, so try to enjoy it!
Know someone who ‘Nailed It’?
Did one of your colleagues do something cool and you think they deserve a shoutout in The Heartbeat? Consider submitting them for the new “Nailed It” section of the Heartbeat. Everyone loves to hear they’re doing great - especially by their peers, so let us know about it and then we’ll tell everyone else. Submit via the Public Affairs request portal here .
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Cute little pumpkins Women Veteran Program, CDCE team up to shower new, expectant moms
On Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, the VA St. Louis's Women's Veteran Program and the Centers for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) proudly hosted the Annual Women Warriors Baby Shower at the VFW Post 3944 in Overland, Mo. Being back in person was a special treat. For more than a decade the VA St. louis have been proud to host this event. This year’s theme was “A little pumpkin is on the way,” with 29 families participating! “This event could not have been possible without the assistance of our generous community partners: Cardinals Care, the charitable arm of the St. Louis Cardinals, Hero’s Care, Fairview Heights Elks, local chapters of the daughters of the American Revolution, VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary and the strong partnership between the VA St. Louis Health Care System CDCE and Women’s Health Program team. They made this event a true success,” said Sylvia Stephens, Women Veterans Program Specialist. The Women Warriors Baby Shower was a heartwarming event dedicated to providing essential care packages for Veteran mothers. Each package contained a plethora of useful items such as a pack-n-play stroller or highchair, diapers, baby wipes, and diaper bags overflowing with goodies. Team Fred Bird was on site warmly distributing these items and posing for photos. This event aimed to support Veterans during a critical time in their lives. The families expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for the magnitude of this event and its support to our pregnant moms. We are humbled by the opportunity to honor the service and sacrifices of our Women Veterans while also paying tribute to their
Wonderful volunteers from VFW Auxiliary 5077 out of O’Fallon, Mo., showed up to shower our Veteran moms with handmade baby blankets. (Photos by Hallaye Sow)
Our new moms, like this Veteran on the left, and the moms-to-be like this Veteran above, enjoyed the first in-person event in several years. Many of the moms have sent messages expressing how impactful the shower was for them and their growing family.
upcoming motherhood. Nice job, Team!
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VA St. Louis HCS Police Services hosted its "Coffee with a Cop" event Oct. 9 at John Cochran. This outreach initiative provides a unique opportunity for Veterans, guests and staff to connect with dedicated officers in a relaxed and informal setting. The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down barriers between police officers and those they serve. “Coffee with a Cop here at the VA is important because it is a time for our officers to engage with Veterans they may never get an opportunity to engage,” said Capt. Isshawn- O’Quinn.” Attendees enjoyed coffee, donuts and conversation while getting to know the officers who protect our VA community. The event was a success, fostering stronger relationships between our officers and the veterans they serve. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated and made this event possible. Coffee with a Cop VA police talk with those they serve
VA St. Louis Health Care System Police Lieutenant Jason Catron and Sergeant Kabir Houston join in on “Coffee with a Cop” at John Cochran Wednesday, Oct. 9. (Story and photo by Nisya Hurst)
Happy National Physician Assistant Week! Oct. 6-12 You Make A Difference!
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Happy Emergency Nurse ’ s Week!
Oct. 6-12 We appreciate everything you do!
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Celebrating
Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week Oct. 6-12 The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) is proud to join nuclear medicine professionals worldwide in celebrating Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week, taking place from October 6-12, 2024. Established in 1986, this annual event underscores the remarkable innovations and growing impact of nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and theranostics in revolutionizing healthcare. These fields offer unprecedented insights into the body’s inner workings, often detecting diseases at much earlier and more treatable stages than traditional imaging techniques. “From advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment to recent breakthroughs in Alzheimer's and dementia research, nuclear medicine is improving lives—and educating others about these advancements is crucial for the continued evolution of healthcare,” said Cathy Sue Cutler, PhD, FSNMMI, president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). “Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week provides the ideal platform to do just that.”
Healthy Teaching Kitchen: Diabetes Month Making healthy food choices is the #1 thing you can do for your health. Learning how to cook can be one step towards getting nutritious foods on your plate. What is diabetes and is it really ok to eat carbs when I’m trying to manage my blood sugars? Join Health Promotion & Disease Prevention (HPDP) Services for our Healthy Teaching Kitchen (HTK) food demonstration focusing Diabetes Awareness Month. Learn the truth about carbs and how they can be incorporated into a healthy eating plan; the how and why of incorporating more plant foods into your current eating plan. The HTK live, virtual cooking class is open to all employees to increase nutrition knowledge, cooking skills, and build confidence in cooking at home with minimally processed foods. This month’s demonstration will include easy and delicious recipes that allow you to enjoy the right kind of carbs in the right amount! We will demonstrate the following recipes via Teams. Recipe handouts will be available for download at the time of the presentation: Tuscan Tuna Salad Wrap Sweet Potato Hash No Bake Mini-Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Class Details Wednesday, Oct. 16 Noon-12:30 p.m. Join via Teams .
Call Health Promotion & Disease Prevention (HPDP) (314) 289-6503 with questions.
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Join your fellow employees for 20-minute experiential sessions through Microsoft Teams meetings on the second Friday of every month. Join on your computer, mobile app or room device by clicking the links below. employee whole health days Drop-in sessions
oct. 12 Mindfulness 9 a.m. class
Look out for these upcoming Employee Whole Health experiences Nov. 8 Gratitude: Languages of Appreciation Dec. 13 Connection Jan. 10 Job Crafting: Meaning and Purpose
Stirring up Gratitude!
Thank you For all you do to take care of our Veterans!
Honoring our Healthcare Food Heroes!
National Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week This week, Oct. 6-12, we celebrate National Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week! During this time, we shine a spotlight on these incredible heroes of our healthcare system – our amazing food service teams! From food service workers who are the faces of the majority of our Nutrition and Food Services workforce, to the kitchen magicians creating delicious meals, to the tireless production staff, and vigilant supervisors, these dedicated professionals deserve a standing ovation. Their impact is felt in every nourishing meal served to Veterans. This remarkable team creates culinary comfort and care with each plate they serve. To every member of our foodservice family: You’re not only valued, you are vital . Your efforts are the secret ingredient in our recipe for exceptional care. Thank you for serving those who served us. This week and every week, we celebrate YOU !
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Wild to Mild!
Only 51 days remain until the Nov. 30 deadline for ALL employees to submit Annual Flu Documentation per VHA Directive 1192! Employee Flu Vaccines are available! Stop by either EOH Clinic JB Bldg. 1, Room C106 or JC Bldg. 5T from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to receive your vaccine. Visit the EOH Sharepoin t for more information on submitting your 2024 Flu Vaccine Documentation or Religious/Medical Exemption documentation. Also the 2024 EOH Flu Campaign video is live! External Vaccine Records and Medical / Religious exemptions can be uploaded by employee here . Note an update to Leave for Adverse Reactions to the COVID-19 Vaccine: Employees (including VHA HCP) who receive a COVID-19 vaccine and subsequently experience an adverse reaction that prevents the employee from working may request to use sick leave or other paid or unpaid time off in lieu of sick leave. Use of Authorized Absence (AA) for adverse reactions is no longer approved. Per ochco-bulletin-20240613- 01.pdf .
GOAL 90%
39%
Recognition & Observances
6-12 - National Physician Assistants Week 6-12 - Emergency Nurses Week 6-12 - Fire Prevention Week 7-11 - Risk Awareness Week 11 - Yom Kippur begins (sundown) 11 - National Coming Out Day 13 - U.S. Navy Established (1775) 13-19 - National Case Management Week 13-19 - Sterile Processing Week
NATIONAL OBSERVANCES Breast Cancer Awareness Month Chiropractic Health Month
Cybersecurity Month Dental Hygiene Month Depression Education and Awareness Month Domestic Violence Awareness Month Eye Injury Prevention Month
Health Literacy Month LGBTQ+ History Month Liver Awareness Month Physical Therapy Month
14 - Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day 15 - National Pharmacy Technician Day 15 - White Cane Day 16 - National Boss Day 18 - National Mammography Day 20-26 - National Healthcare Quality Week 20-26 - Spiritual Care Week 20-26 - National Respiratory Care Week 20-26 - International Infection Prevention Week 21-27 - Pharmacy Week 27 - Navy Day (1922) 28-Nov. 1 - International Orthopedic Nurses Week 29 - World Stroke Day 31 - Halloween (safety tips)
Spina Bifida Awareness Month RECOGNITION WEEKS / DAYS 2 - National Custodial Workers Day
2-4 - Rosh Hashanah 4 - World Smile Day 6-12 - Mental Illness Awareness Week 6-12 - National Healthcare Supply Chain Week 6-12 - National Healthcare Food Service Workers Week 6-12 - Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week
** Click on any date to learn more about that particular recognition or observance!
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