January 12, 2018

Mission

To provide exceptional, compassionate care to all we serve.

VisionWe will change lives by nurturing hope, improving health and encouraging wellness – every person every time.

Inside this Issue

• Influenza Up-

date and Safety

Information. See

page 5.

• Get a Red Dress

Pin for Dress in

Support for Febru-

ary! See page 2!

OMCNewsThe right care, right here.

Meet our latest new hires! See

page 6.

February is Heart Month Ozarks Medical Center announces events for the communityIn honor of Amer-ican Heart Month in February, Ozarks Medical Center is offering several free educational events and heart health screenings. West Plains Mayor Jack Pahlmann has signed a procla-mation declaring February as Heart Month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. One in every four deaths in the United States is the result of heart disease.

Symptoms include chest discomfort, discomfort in other areas of the upper body including one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach, and shortness of breath. Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

“OMC is one of only nine hospitals in the state of Missouri with an accredited Chest Pain Center. If a person exhibits symptoms of chest pain, 911 should be called. Early intervention improves outcomes, which is why we have the saying ‘Time lost is muscle lost’ when it comes to heart attack,” said Dr. M. Faisal Khan, Interventional Cardiologist at OMC.

“Listen to your heart. It may be trying to tell you something. Receiving prompt medical atten-tion is crucial if you are suffering from a heart attack. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, dial 911. The longer you wait, the greater your chances are of having irreversible heart damage or potentially not surviving your heart attack. When you use 911, you receive quick assessment and care as soon as emergency medical responders arrive. OMC is alerted so our specialized cardiac team is ready to continue your care as soon as you come through our doors,” according to Devon Emerson, Director of Cardiopulmonary Services.” At OMC, we are proud to offer a full line of cardiology care including round-the-clock interventional cardiology for patients suffering from a heart attack.”

In recognition of Heart Month, OMC will host a number of community events. For more infor-mation, continue to page 4.

2

You Rock! These individuals’ You Rock cards were shared with Public Relations:

Joni Bridges- BHC“Joni assisted with a client that needed case management immedicately. She took the time to access case manage-

ment services. She is an asset to BHC and an awesome team player!!!”~From a CoWorker

LADonna Caraway- BHC“LaDonna is always a team worker who assists with providing clients with the best care possible on any given day.

She is always willing to provide and assist with client care.”~From a CoWorker

Melinda- Lab“Following discharge, my grandfather needed follow-up labs. When we returned to the hospital, the orders weren’t

there and no one seemed to know how to resolve the issue. I had left the department when Melinda caught up to me insisting ‘We can do better than that.’ She took my small issue that she overheard and owned it.

Thank you for caring that much.”~From a Visitor

Larry and Nathan- Bio-Med“Larry and Nathan found and replaced a very important computer monitor for one of our laboratory analyzers.

They are always very helpful and can think out of the box to get the job done.”~From a CoWorker

Jenee - BHC“Patients would not be able to function without her help. She is amaxing and made a huge difference in patients lives.

She goes above and beyond!”~From a Patient

Trista- BHC“She is my absolute favorite. She makes every patient feel cared for, she listens, and she is on top of everything!

Great nurse!!!!”~From a Patient

January 12, 2018

Dress in Support for Heart MonthEach Friday in February is “Dress in Support” of heart health. All funds raised will go to the heart care fund at Heart Care Services. Purchase a Heart Month Lapel Pin for $10. This will take the place of the Dress in Support stickers and allow you to wear jeans all Fridays in February.

Dress code is nice jeans and collared shirt (no T-shirts may be worn). Please verify with your su-pervisor that your department may participate before purchasing Dress in Support stickers.

Heart Month Lapel Pins may be purchased for $10.00 on the main campus at Main Admissions Registration, Heart Care Services and Neurosciences; in the Shaw building at Rehabilitation Ser-vices; in Parkway in Public Relations, BHC, Finance and the Foundation; and at OMC Home Care (Riverways).

People

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ENVIRONMENTALhealth& safetyNew NetLearning AssignmentAs some of you may have noticed, there is a new module related to email in your NetLearning assignments. This was done as a result of the Email for Everyone initiative. All employees of Ozarks Medical Center will now have their very own OMC email account! The module is an overview of email basics and security. We hope to get the new users off on the right foot with this training and give a refresher to the rest of us. If you have any questions, please contact helpdesk@ozarksmedicalcenter.com. This module is to be completed by 02/28/18.

Brandon Floyd, MCITP|MCSA|CHP|CSCSSr.Security/Systems AdministratorExt.5424

January 12, 2018

O Lord, we pray for those among us who

are suffering the hurts of our human-

ity, and ask You to hold them up with

Your gracious hand of love. We pray

You give strength to the weak, hope to

the despairing, and peace to troubled

hearts. Father we ask You to give us all

Your presence. Walk beside us and hold

our hands. We give You our thanks and

praise You forevermore, Amen.

Weekly Prayer brought to you

by the OMC Chaplains

Your OMC EH&S Program is informing you of new regulatory updates made by the EPA, promulgated in the Federal Register (FR), Monday, November 28, 2016, and fully implemented by May 30, 2017. (https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-11-28/pdf/2016-27429.pdf) The objective was to update the hazardous waste generator regulations to make the rules easier to un-derstand, facilitate better compliance, provide greater flexibility in how hazardous waste is managed and close important gaps in the regulations.

EPA’s new “RCRA hazardous waste Generator Improve-ments Rule” regulations, and planned future regulatory updates, will have a major impact on the way OMC manages and disposes of hazardous waste. Some of the updates create more stringent requirements for genera-tors of hazardous waste (e.g., OMC is a Small Quantity Generator or SQG), while others provide new or addi-tional relief from the RCRA regulations.

Arguably the two biggest changes in the finalized RCRA Generator Improvements Rule are:

1. A wholesale re-organizing and re-structuring of the hazardous waste generator rules in 40 CFR 262 to make the regulations easier to navigate and understand; and 2. Providing relief for episodic events that may result in a change of generator status for our Rural Health Care Clinic or the OMC Hospital

The State of Missouri, Department of Natural Resources (MO-DNR) incorporates EPA’s federal hazardous waste regulations, and has implemented more stringent State regulations. You can find Missouri’s current regulations in Title 10, Division 25 of the Code of State Regulations (CSR).

OMC Hospital is a Small Quantity Generator (SQG) and the following EPA and MO-DNR Generator rules apply to remain at this status:

A. Generates > 100 kg (220 lbs) but < 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs) of HazWaste in one calendar month, orB. Generates 1 kg (2.2 lbs )or less of acutely HazWaste (P-Listed) in one calendar month, orC. Accumulate <1 kg (2.2 lbs) of acute HazWaste (P-Listed) at any one time. orD. Accumulate < 6,000 kg (13,200 lbs) of HazWaste

For questions and/or assistance, contact Tom Morris at tom.morris@ozarksmedicalcenter.com.

4January 12, 2018

Heart Monthcontinued from page 1

February 1 Community Education DinnerWillard Hunter Classroom6-7 p.m., OMC Parkway CenterThe speaker is Dr. A. K. George, Cardi-ologist discussing heart care. The dinner is free, but reservations are required. Call 417-257-6793.

February 2Wear Red Day-Free AppleMayor Jack Pahlmann has joined with Ozarks Medical Center Heart Care Services to promote awareness of heart health by declaring Friday, Feb. 3 Wear Red Day. This is a national event that encourages people to wear red to recog-nize the beginning of American Heart Month, celebrated each February. On this day, individuals wearing red may visit the OMC Cafeteria and receive a free apple.

February 8 Free Heart Risk Screening & Heart Healthy Breakfast7-9 a.m., Mountain Grove Senior CenterA free Heart Health Screening will take place. The screening includes a lipid panel, glucose, A1C, and blood pressure check. Fasting is required for testing. OMC Dietician will be on-hand with heart healthy recipes and samples. Addi-tional low cost labs also are available for a minimal fee. The event is free and no appointment is necessary. A breakfast bar will be available. Questions, please call 417-926-6563 for more informa-tion. • 7:00-8:00 a.m. ~ Lipid Panel, Glu-

cose and A1C, and Blood Pressure Check

• 8:00-9:00 a.m. ~ Breakfast Bar & Presentation by Dr. Archana Sinha

February 9Free Heart Risk Screening & Heart Healthy Breakfast

6:30-10:00 a.m., OMC Heart Care Services. A free Heart Health Screening that in-cludes a lipid panel, glucose, A1C, blood pressure check, and a Vein Screening. Fasting is required for testing. OMC Dietician will be on-hand with heart healthy recipes and samples. The event is free and no appointment is neces-sary except for the Vein Screening (for Venous Insufficiency). Additional low cost labs also are available for a mini-mal fee. Questions or to reserve a time for the Vein Screening, please call OMC Education Services at 417-257-6793.

February 10Women With Heart LuncheonA fundraising luncheon for OMC Heart Care Services. Tickets are $50 each. The guest speaker is Sharon Alexander. Call 417-256-4725 for tickets or more information.

February 15 Free Heart Risk Screening & Heart Healthy Breakfast 7-9 a.m., Mountain View Senior CenterA free Heart Health Screening will take place. The screening includes a lipid panel, glucose, A1C, and blood pressure check. Fasting is required for testing. OMC Dietician will be on-hand with heart healthy recipes and samples. Ad-ditional low cost labs also are available for a minimal fee. The event is free and no appointment is necessary. A breakfast bar will be available. Questions, please call 417-934-2273 for more information. • 7:00-8:00 a.m. ~ Lipid Panel, Glu-

cose and A1C, and Blood Pressure Check

• 8:00-9:00 a.m. ~ Breakfast Bar & Presentation by Dr. Archana Sinha

February 17 Free Community Heart Saver Course8 a.m. to noon, OMC Parkway Center.A free community Heart Saver course taught by joint effort of Ozarks Medical

Center, South Howell County Ambu-lance and Air Evac will be offered. This course teaches CPR for the lay person. Please call the OMC Education Services at 417-257-6793 to enroll.

February 19-23Free Heart Risk Screening @ Rural ClinicsIndividuals may receive a free heart health screening including a lipid panel, glucose, A1C, and blood pressure check from an OMC rural health clinic. Addi-tional low cost labs also are available for a minimal fee. Contact one of the clinics listed below for an appointment. OMC rural health clinic locations include:• OMC Alton: 417-778-7227• OMC Gainesville: 417-679-4613• OMC Mammoth Spring: 870-625-3228• OMC Mountain Grove: 417-926-6563• OMC Mountain View: 417-934-2273• OMC Thayer: 417-264-7136• OMC Winona: 573-325-4237

February 22 Love Your Heart Breakfast & Heart Health Screenings 7-9 a.m., Fun & Friends Senior Center, 100 Chestnut St., ThayerA free Heart Health Screening will take place. The screening includes a lipid panel, glucose, A1C, and blood pressure check. Fasting is required for testing. OMC Dietician will be on-hand with heart healthy recipes and samples. Ad-ditional low cost labs also are available for a minimal fee. The event is free and no appointment is necessary. A breakfast bar will be available. Questions, please call 417-257-6793 for more information. • 7:00-8:00 a.m. ~ Lipid Panel, Glu-

cose and A1C, and Blood Pressure Check

• 8:00-9:00 a.m. ~ Breakfast Bar & presentation by Dr. Faisal Khan

February 23 OMC and Community Blood Center of the Ozarks Blood Drive12-6 p.m., OMC Parkway Center. Walk in, call 1-800-280-5337, or visit https://www.cbco.org/donate-blood/to make an appointment.

February 27

5January 12, 2018

Free Heart Risk Screening & Heart Healthy Breakfast 7-9 a.m., Willow Springs Senior CenterA free Heart Health Screening will take place. The screening includes a lipid panel, glucose, A1C, and blood pressure check. Fasting is required for testing. OMC Dietician will be on-hand with heart healthy recipes and samples. Addi-tional low cost labs also are available for a minimal fee. The event is free and no appointment is necessary. A breakfast bar will be available. Questions, please call 417-257-6793 for more informa-tion. • 7:00-8:00 a.m. ~ Lipid Panel, Glu-

cose and A1C, and Blood Pressure Check

• 8:00-9:00 a.m. ~ Breakfast Bar & Presentation by Heart Care Services provider

February 27 (5:30 p.m.): Couch to 5K Information Session5:30-6:00 p.m., Willard Hunter Class-room, OMC Parkway CenterIt’s time to get moving! Learn more about the Couch to 5K program at 5:30 p.m. at the Willard Hunter Classroom in OMC Parkway Center. Join OMC coworkers leading evening workout sessions or workout on your own with the Couch to 5K phone app. The Couch to 5K program is free, but registration is required in a Fun Run event (1.5 mile walk or 5K). All Couch to 5K participants will receive a free t-shirt in addition to the Fun Run t-shirt. Workout sessions will begin the week of February 27. At the end of the 8-week program, you will be ready for your Fun Run event! For more information, call 417-257-6737.

“American Heart Month is an excellent time to make an important decision to do everything you can to reduce your risk factors for heart disease,” said A.K. George, MD, OMC Cardiologist. “Early detection of risk factors and lifestyle changes can reduce your risk and a free screening event is the place to get information to help you embark on a healthier lifestyle.”

Influenza Update and Safety InformationInfluenza activity continues to be elevated in our areas. For the week ending January 6, OMC Lab confirmed 115 cases, up from 87 the prior week. Cases reported to local health departments have not yet been pub-lished for last week, but for the prior week 242 cases were reported by the counties we serve, increased from 201 cases reported the previous week. For the health and safety of all OMC patients, visitors, and co-workers, everyone needs to be involved in preventing transmission of flu and other influenza-like illnesses.

OMC co-workers with fever or flu symptoms should also be excluded from working, and co-workers with milder respiratory symptoms should be wearing a mask while at work to protect patients and co-workers from illness. Remember, even when you are only mildly sick, the virus you share may cause a serious or life threatening illness in someone who has a chronic medical condition, illness, or weakened immune system.

I have been asked if we will be restricting visiting by children in the hos-pital, which many other facilities have implemented. CDC recommenda-tions are to restrict visitation by people of all ages who are ill, and masking of patients and visitors with any respiratory symptoms. The flu activity in our area has been hitting all age groups equally, so there is currently no justification for singling out younger visitors.

Everyone plays a role in preventing transmission of illness to patients, visitors, and co-workers, so please share these (condensed) CDC Influenza Recommendations for Health Care Facilities for the 2017-2018 flu season (full recommendations are available on the CDC website). And please contact me with any questions or concerns.

CDC Recommendations for 2017-2018 Flu Season

1. Promote and administer seasonal influenza vaccine

Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent seasonal in-fluenza infection. According to current national guidelines, unless contra-indicated, vaccinate all people aged 6 months and older, including health care providers (HCP), patients and residents of long-term care facilities.Although the flu vaccine may not prevent the flu, evidence shows that vac-cinated people are at significantly lower risk of requiring hospitalization or developing serious complications including death.

2. Take Steps to Minimize Potential Exposures

Measures include screening and triage of symptomatic patients and imple-mentation of respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette are measures designed to minimize potential expo-sures of all respiratory pathogens, including influenza virus, in healthcare settings and should be adhered to by everyone – patients, visitors, and HCP – upon entry and continued for the entire duration of stay in health-care settings. Wearing a mask and/or covering your cough with a tissue,

continued on pages 7, 8, 9, & 10

6January 12, 2018

Pictured left to right: Top Row: Megan Dotson, Residency; Ruth Davis, Residency; Jennifer Moore, Residency; Sherylen Patterson, OB; Brenda Haugsted, EVS

Bottom Row: Britnee Duncan, Surgery; Andrea Farris, BHC; Lyra Huffine, Residency; Stacey Evans, Residency; Amber Christian, BHC; Brenda Gray, OB; Angela Grogan, EVS; Misti Herndon, BHC

New Coworkers at Ozarks Medical Center!

Meet the Latest New Hires to Come Through Orientation

Pictured left to right: Top Row: Bridgette Hendrix; Erica Humphreys, Pharmacy; Shelby Byerly, NPU; Danielle Swiney, ED; Kayla Black, ED; Lawren Dupler, GI/OPS; Teresa Borseth, Med/Surg; Jessica Collins, GI/OPS

Bottom Row: Amanda Woodward, Med/Surg; Jessica Howell, Med/Surg; Kassi Dupler, Oncology; Sara West, Oncology; Diana Smith, Rehab; Hailey Bush, Coding; Annette Johnson, Sleep Lab; Ben Crampton, IT

People

7January 12, 2018

Influenza Update and Safety Information, continued from page 5disposing of tissue in trash, and cleaning hands are key measures.

Before Arrival to a Healthcare Setting•When scheduling appointments, instruct patients and persons who accompany them to inform HCP upon arrival if they have symptoms of any respiratory infection (e.g., cough, runny nose, fever) and to take appropriate preventive actions (e.g., wear a facemask upon entry, follow triage procedure).•Take steps to minimize elective visits by patients with suspected or confirmed influenza. For example, consider establishing procedures to minimize visits by patients seeking care for mild influenza-like illness who are not at increased risk for complications from influenza (e.g., provide telephone consultation to patients with mild respi-ratory illness to determine if there is a medical need to visit the facility).

Upon Entry and During Visit to a Healthcare Setting•Take steps to ensure all persons with symptoms of a respiratory infection adhere to respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, and hand hygiene throughout the duration of the visit. This might include posting signs at the entrance and in strategic places (e.g., waiting areas, elevators, cafeterias) to provide patients and HCP with instructions about respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. Instructions should include:• How to use facemasks or tissues to cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and to dispose of con-taminated items in waste receptacles.• How and when to perform hand hygiene.• Implement procedures during patient registration that facilitate adherence to appropriate precautions (e.g., at the time of patient check-in, inquire about presence of symptoms of a respiratory infection, and if present, pro-vide instructions).• Provide facemasks to patients with signs and symptoms of respiratory infection.• Provide supplies to perform hand hygiene to all patients upon arrival to facility (e.g., at entrances of facility, waiting rooms, at patient check-in) and throughout the entire duration of the visit to the healthcare setting.• Provide space and encourage persons with symptoms of respiratory infections to sit as far away from others as possible. If available, facilities may wish to place these patients in a separate area while waiting for care.

3. Monitor and Manage Ill Healthcare Personnel

HCP with influenza or many other infections may not have fever or may have fever alone as an initial symptom or sign. Thus, it can be very difficult to distinguish influenza from many other causes, especially early in a per-son’s illness. HCP who develop fever with or without respiratory symptoms should be instructed not to report to work. They should be instructed not to return to work until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicines such as acetaminophen). Those with ongoing respiratory symptoms without fever should wear a mask while at work. They should be reminded that adherence to respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette is always important.

Consider temporary reassignment or exclusion from work for 7 days from symptom onset or until the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer, for HCP returning to care for immunocompromised patients in a Protective Environment. In patients who are severely immunocompromised, infection with influenza virus can lead to severe disease. Furthermore, once infected, these patients can have prolonged viral shedding despite antiviral treatment and expose other patients to influenza virus infection. Prolonged shedding also increases the chance of developing and spreading antiviral-resistant influenza strains.

Facilities and organizations providing healthcare services should develop sick leave policies for HCP that are non-punitive, flexible and consistent with public health guidance to allow and encourage HCP with suspected or confirmed influenza to stay home. Policies and procedures should enhance exclusion of HCPs who develop a fever and respiratory symptoms from work for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

Quality

January 12, 2018 8

Influenza Update and Safety Information, continued from page 74. Adhere to Standard Precautions

All HCP in every healthcare setting should adhere to standard precautions, which are the foundation for pre-venting transmission of infectious agents in all healthcare settings. Standard precautions assume that every person is potentially infected or colonized with a pathogen that could be transmitted. Standard precautions, con-sistently used for potential contact with any bodily fluid, protects providers and patients even when an infectious agent has not yet been identified. Elements of standard precautions that apply to patients with respiratory infec-tions, including those caused by the influenza virus, are summarized below. • Hand Hygiene - HCP should perform hand hygiene frequently, including before and after all patient contact, contact with potentially infectious material, and before putting on and upon removal of personal protective equipment, including gloves. Hand hygiene in healthcare settings can be performed by washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs. If hands are visibly soiled, use soap and water, not alcohol-based hand rubs.• Gloves - wear gloves for any contact with potentially infectious material. Remove gloves after contact, followed by hand hygiene. Do not wear the same pair of gloves for care of more than one patient. Do not wash gloves for the purpose of reuse.• Gowns - Wear gowns for any patient-care activity when contact with blood, body fluids, secretions (including respiratory), or excretions is anticipated. Remove gown and perform hand hygiene before leaving the patient’s environment. Do not wear the same gown for care of more than one patient.• Face shield – Wear a mask, goggles, and/or face shield to protect mucous membranes from contact, splash, or spray of body (or irrigation) fluids

5. Adhere to Droplet Precautions

Droplet precautions should be implemented for patients with suspected or confirmed influenza for 7 days after illness onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of fever and respiratory symptoms, whichever is longer, while a patient is in a healthcare facility. In some cases, facilities may choose to apply droplet precautions for longer peri-ods based on clinical judgment, such as in the case of young children or severely immunocompromised patients, who may shed influenza virus for longer periods of time.

Place patients with suspected or confirmed influenza in a private room or area. When a single patient room is not available, cohort patients infected with the same infectious agents together to confine their care to one area and prevent contact with susceptible patients. If a patient under droplet precautions requires movement or trans-port outside of the room, have the patient wear a facemask, if possible, and follow respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, and hand hygiene.

HCP should don a facemask when entering the room of a patient with suspected or confirmed influenza. Re-move the facemask when leaving the patient’s room, dispose of the facemask in a waste container, and perform hand hygiene. Note – HCP wearing a mask due to not being vaccinated for flu are to remove mask worn during care of isolated patient (or any time the mask becomes contaminated, wet, or damaged), perform hand hygiene, and immediate-ly don a new mask.

6. Use Caution when Performing Aerosol-Generating Procedures

Some procedures may be more likely to generate higher concentrations of infectious respiratory aerosols than coughing, sneezing, talking, or breathing, potentially putting HCP at an increased risk for exposure. Many au-thorities recommend that additional precautions be used when such procedures are performed. These include procedures such as bronchoscopy, sputum induction, elective intubation and extubation, CPR, and emergent

Quality

January 12, 2018 9

Influenza Update and Safety Information, continued from page 8intubation and open suctioning of airways. Precautions for aerosol-generating procedures include:• Only performing these procedures on patients with suspected or confirmed influenza if they are medically nec-essary and cannot be postponed.• Limiting the number of HCP present during the procedure to only those essential for patient care and support. • Conducting the procedures in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) when feasible. Such rooms are designed to reduce the concentration of infectious aerosols and prevent their escape into adjacent areas using controlled air exchanges and directional airflow. • Considering use of portable HEPA filtration units to further reduce the concentration of contaminants in the air. •HCP should adhere to standard precautions, including wearing gloves, a gown, and either a face shield that fully covers the front and sides of the face or goggles.• HCP should wear respiratory protection equivalent to a fitted N95 filtering facepiece respirator or powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) during aerosol-generating procedures • Conduct environmental surface cleaning following procedures.

7. Manage Visitor Access and Movement Within the Facility

Limit visitors for patients in isolation for influenza to persons who are necessary for the patient’s emotional well-being and care. Visitors who have been in contact with the patient before and during hospitalization are a possible source of influenza for other patients, visitors, and staff.

Limit visitors who have respiratory symptoms to persons who are necessary for the patient’s emotional well-be-ing and care. Symptomatic persons who are allowed to visit should be provided a mask and instructed to wear it while in the facility.

Additional precautions include:• Screening visitors for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before entering the hospital or patient room.• Facilities should provide instruction, before visitors enter patients’ rooms, on hand hygiene, limiting surfaces touched, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).• Visitors should not be present during aerosol-generating procedures.• Visitors should be instructed to limit their movement within the facility.

8. Monitor Influenza Activity

HCP should be alerted about increased influenza activity in the community or if an outbreak occurs within the facility. Close communication and collaboration with local and state health authorities is recommended.

9. Implement Environmental Infection Control

Standard cleaning and disinfection procedures are adequate for influenza virus environmental control in all settings within the healthcare facility, including those patient-care areas in which aerosol-generating procedures are performed. Management of laundry, food service utensils, and medical waste should also be performed in accordance with standard procedures.

10. Implement Engineering Controls

Examples of engineering controls include installing physical barriers such as partitions in triage areas or curtains that are drawn between patients in shared areas.

11. Train and Educate Healthcare Personnel

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January 12, 2018 10

Influenza Update and Information, continued from page 9Key aspects of influenza and its prevention that should be emphasized to all HCP include:

• Influenza signs, symptoms, complications, and risk factors for complications. HCP should be made aware that, if they have conditions that place them at higher risk of complications, they should inform their health-care provider immediately if they become ill with an influenza-like illness so they can receive early treatment if indicated

• Importance of control practices such as vaccination, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, sick policies, and precautions during aerosol-generating procedures. Precautions should be followed even if the HCP is vaccinated. Vaccination is not 100% effective in preventing the flu (although there is evidence that vaccinated persons are at significantly lower risk of requiring hospitalization or developing severe complications includ-ing death

• Appropriate use of personal protective equipment including respirator fit testing and fit checks.

12. Administer Antiviral Treatment and Chemoprophylaxis of Patients and Healthcare Personnel when Appro-priate

Refer to the CDC web site for the most current recommendations on the use of antiviral agents for treatment and chemoprophylaxis. Both HCP and patients should be reminded that persons treated with influenza antiviral medications continue to shed influenza virus while on treatment. Thus, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette practices should continue while on treatment.

13. Considerations for Healthcare Personnel at Higher Risk for Complications of Influenza

HCP at higher risk for complications from influenza infection include pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks postpartum, persons 65 years old and older, and persons with chronic diseases such as asthma, heart dis-ease, diabetes, diseases that suppress the immune system, certain other chronic medical conditions, and morbid obesity. Vaccination and early treatment with antiviral medications are very important for HCP at higher risk for influenza complications because they can decrease the risk of hospitalizations and deaths.

Torrance Hughes, RN, CICInfection Prevention CoordinatorOzarks Medical Center417-257-6782 ext. 6153

Quality

January 12, 2018 11

Click here for the complete meetings calendar and calendar of events

What’s happening at OMC12

Click here for free weekly fitness opportunities & gym discounts

Jan. 13 (8 a.m.): OMC’s Prepared Childbirth Class is recommended during the second trimester of pregnan-cy. The goal of this class is to prepare the expectant mother for all aspects of labor and delivery. Call 256-9111, extension 6440 to register or for details.

Feb. 1: Red Dress Pins for Dress in Support Red Dress Pins available for $10OMC Coworkers may purchase a Red Dress Pin for $10. Pin will be good for Dress in Support for all Fri-days in February.

Feb. 1 (6-7 p.m.): Community Education Dinner at Willard Hunter Classroom, OMC Parkway Center, West Plains. The speaker is Dr. A. K. George, Cardi-ologist discussing heart care. The dinner is free, but reservations are required. Call 417-257-6793.

Feb. 2: Wear Red Day-Free AppleWest Plains Mayor Jack Pahlmann has joined with OMC Heart Care Services to promote awareness of heart health by declaring Friday, Feb. 2 Wear Red Day. This is a national event that encourages people to wear red to recognize the beginning of American Heart Month, celebrated each February. On this day, indi-viduals wearing red may visit the OMC Cafeteria and receive a free apple.

Feb. 6 (6 p.m.): OMC’s Prepared Childbirth Class is recommended during the second trimester of pregnan-cy. The goal of this class is to prepare the expectant mother for all aspects of labor and delivery. Call 256-9111, extension 6440 to register or for details.

Feb. 8 (7-9 a.m.): Free Heart Risk Screening & Heart Healthy Breakfast (Dr. Sinha) at Mountain Grove Senior CenterA free Heart Health Screening will take place. The screening includes a lipid panel, glucose, A1C, and blood pressure check. Fasting is required for testing. OMC Dietician will be on-hand with heart healthy recipes and samples. Additional low cost labs also are available for a minimal fee. The event is free and no appointment is necessary. A breakfast bar will be avail-able. Questions, please call 417-926-6563 for more information. • 7:00-8:00 a.m. ~ Lipid Panel, Glucose and A1C, and Blood Pressure Check• 8:00-9:00 a.m. ~ Breakfast Bar & Presentation

January 12, 2018

OMC Cafeteria HoursMonday-FridayBreakfast: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Snack Bar: 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Dinner: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Holidays & WeekendsBreakfast: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Employees receive a 20% discount on most items in the cafeteria. (Menu subject to change without notice.)

LUNCH MENU SNACK BAR

CAFE

Taco SaladsChicken FajitasBeef EnchiladasSpanish RiceMexican CornBlack Bean BurgersMinestrone

Herbed Arctic CharPenne Chicken AlfredoParmesean Roasted PotatoesItalian Blend VegetablesHamburgersBaked Potato Soup

Chicken FajitasTortilla Crusted TilapiaSpanish RiceMexican CornChicken TendersChicken Tortilla Soup

Baked Pork ChopsGreek Marinated ChickenRosemary PotatoesGreen Bean CasseroleFish SandwichBroccoli Cheese Soup

JAN15

JAN16

JAN17

JAN18

JAN19

Fried ShrimpBBQ Beef BrisketGarlic Mashed PotatoesStewed TomatoesGrilled Chicken SandwichTomato Bisque

Daily: Salad Bar, Sandwich Bar, Pizza, Desserts

Warm Soft Pretzels with cheese sauce &

mustard

Tacos Bar with shredded lettuce,

cheddar cheese, pico, diced onion & salsa

6 ChickenWings

for $3.00

$1.00 Hot Dogswith chili, cheese

sauce & 25¢ fountain

drinks

BBQChicken

Sliders$1.00 each