CHCS adjusts mask policy
October 14, 2022
Categories: News
Community HealthCare System is adjusting its mask policy effective Tuesday, October 18, in accordance with evolving CDC and KDHE guidance.
Starting October 18, universal masking will be required if COVID-19 Community Transmission is high for two weeks in a row, but masks will no longer be required if COVID-19 Community Transmission is low, moderate, or substantial according to the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker. Community Transmission data...
Summer safety roundup
June 14, 2022
Categories: Community health news, Provider story
by Dr. Kendra Reith
Summer is here, and families are hitting the road for vacations and enjoying time outdoors. Taking a moment to review a few best practices and tips can help you keep your youngest family members safe this summer.
Heading out on a road trip? Take a close look at your child’s car seat. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to U.S. children, and when correctly used, child...
CHCS certified by OSHA safety program for 19th straight year
July 22, 2021
Categories: News
The COVID-19 pandemic spurred more interest in workplace safety, but emphasis on safety is nothing new at Community HealthCare System. CHCS’s longtime commitment to safety earned formal recognition recently when it received certification by a special program from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for the 19th year in a row.
Since 2002, CHCS has been recognized as the only hospital in Kansas and one of only a handful in the nation to uphold the highest standards...
Trauma awareness: Vehicle and ATV safety
May 20, 2021
Categories: Community health news, News
By Mindy Olberding, Chief Nursing Officer
Since 1988, the United States has recognized the month of May as Trauma Awareness Month. This year’s theme chosen by the American Trauma Society (ATS) and The Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) is Safe and Secure – Safety is a Choice, Prevention is the Key.
During the pandemic, we learned that taking preventative measures to ensure our safety against COVID-19 was important, and the same is true with...
CHCS relaxes some visitor restrictions
February 18, 2021
Categories: News
Community HealthCare System is relaxing some visitor restrictions for hospitals and clinics.
Starting at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, February 19, hospitalized patients will be allowed one visitor per day. The visitor can be a different person each day rather than the same visitor for the length of the patient’s stay.
Patients delivering babies at the Birth Center will continue to be allowed one designated visitor for the length...
CHCS earns national recognition for surgery safety
February 3, 2021
Surgery at Community HealthCare System has always been safe, but it recently became even safer. CHCS has earned the Gold Level Go Clear Award from the Association of perioperative Registered Nurses, or AORN, and Medtronic for the highest level of achievement in eliminating hazardous smoke from surgical procedures.
Surgical smoke is the by-product of energy-generating devices used in many surgeries. The smoke can include toxic chemicals as well as viruses, bacteria, blood, and cancer...
CHCS resumes visitor restrictions, maintains other COVID-19 precautions
November 11, 2020
COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our service area, so Community HealthCare System is re-instituting visitor restrictions and maintaining other COVID-19 precautions.
Starting at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, hospitalized patients, including those delivering babies at the Birth Center, will be allowed one designated visitor. Designated visitors will be issued a purple bracelet to indicate their status during the length of their loved one’s...
CHCS certified by OSHA safety program for 18th straight year
September 3, 2020
Categories: News
In a time when workplace safety is more important than ever before, Community HealthCare System has received certification by a special program from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for the 18th year in a row.
Since 2002, CHCS has been recognized as the only hospital in Kansas and one of only a handful in the nation to uphold the highest standards of worksite safety and health by the Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program, or SHARP.
“Our associates...
Masks required for entry to all CHCS facilities
July 9, 2020
Categories: News
Masks or face coverings are required for all who enter Community HealthCare System facilities effective Monday, July 13.
Masks were previously required for certain patients and visitors but optional for support persons and patients with wellness appointments, but the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases around the state and in northeast Kansas caused CHCS to re-examine the policy. Associates have worn masks at work since April and will continue to do so.
Dr. Tom Walsh...
Safety first
June 15, 2020
Categories: News
Community HealthCare System officially resumed elective surgeries and wellness visits at hospitals and clinics more than a month ago. Visitor policies were updated June 1 to allow support persons to accompany clinic and surgery patients and to allow one visitor at a time for hospitalized patients. Although operations have changed, one thing remains the same: Keeping patients and associates as safe as possible remains the top priority.
Several procedures are in place...
