T.J. Samson | Destination Health | October 2020

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Platteville, WI Permit No. 7 T.J. Samson Community Hospital 1301 N. Race St. Glasgow, KY 42141 OCTOBER 2020 T.J. Regional Health is making a promise to its patients, one that will last well past the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a promise of putting patient safety first—made by every T.J. team member to patients who find themselves needing care during the COVID-19 crisis but who may be wary of going to medical facilities: Our facilities are safe. We promise. “The Patient Safety Promise is our way of reassuring patients that it’s safe to come to their doctor’s office or to the emergency room,” says Stacey Biggs, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Development at T.J. Regional Health. “Please don’t delay seeking health care, especially in an emergency situation.” AN IDEA THAT STUCK The idea started with stickers. Every day employees arrive at work and go through a screening check for COVID-19, and they get a sticker that lets everyone know they’ve been screened and are healthy. “The idea grew legs,” Biggs says. “We thought we could do a lot more to create awareness and to build upon our culture of safety.” All employees have taken the pledge to keep patients and each other safe. They also received new badge holders with the Patient Safety Promise seal—a person wearing a cape to suggest heroic measures are being taken to ensure that all facilities at T.J. Regional Health are safe. “The badge is a visible reminder to patients and a great conversation starter,” Biggs says Aspects of the Patient Safety Promise include: Universal masking. “Everyone has to wear a mask,” Biggs says. Any patient who arrives without a mask is given one to wear. Visitors must supply their own. Hand sanitizers. “Hand sanitizer is widely available throughout our facilities for use by patients and team members,” Biggs says. “Hand hy- giene is critical and constantly emphasized.” Telehealth visits. “Telehealth saw a tremendous uptick in March,” Biggs says. If patients are apprehensive about coming in for face-to-face care, most physicians at T.J. Regional Health continue to offer telehealth visits. Enhanced cleaning. “Our Environmental Services team cleans high- touch areas constantly,” Biggs says. “We’ve always paid attention to cleanliness, but we’ve taken it to a new level.” Doctor’s offices and hospital departments are also staggering appoint- ments further apart to give employees time to sterilize between patients. “This has always been a very clean environment, but we’ve doubled down on those efforts,” Biggs says MORE TO COME Employees have been very receptive to the Patient Safety Promise cam- paign, according to Biggs.That’s one reason why she sees the campaign continuing beyond the pandemic. Different facets not related to COVID-19—such as fall prevention—are also part of the pledge. “The Patient Safety Promise is part of our culture, and that’s not go- ing to change,” Biggs says. ROOM TO SPARE Your right lung is slightly bigger than your left. That’s because your left lung has an indentation, making room to share space with your heart. American Lung Association KEEP IT FRESH Store asparagus like a bouquet to keep it fresh in the fridge. Cut an inch off the bottom of the stalks, stand them upright in an inch or two of wa- ter, and cover with a plastic bag. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics REST AND RECOVER To get the full health benefits of exercise, you need to give your muscles a chance to recover. Get- ting enough sleep is an important part of the recovery process. American College of Sports Medicine Our promise to you: You’re safe here Employees now will be taking a multi-faceted pledge to keep patients and each other safe. Everyone who completes the pledge will get a special badge to wear with the Patient Safety Promise logo.