4/6/2020 TW@B 04.06.2020 benefishealth.us.newsweaver.com/weeklynews/1ffm17ccc1t3sq5uguydt0?email=true&lang=en&a=11&p=7037927 1/7 NAPA Great Falls donated critical N95 masks that help protect our healthcare team while they care for the community. Another community supporter, Centene, is donating 4,200 masks to Benefis. What to Say When People Ask How They Can Help Benefis Our community wants to help Benefis during this pandemic. Please let Benefis Foundation know about any contributions so we may properly thank people. Here are some ideas if you're asked what people can do to help: Flatten the curve: The No. 1 thing we need is help preventing community spread of COVID-19 by self-isolating, properly washing hands, and calling our helpline at (406) 455-2500 if you have symptoms. Donate supplies: We ask anyone with N95 masks, gloves (fingertip MIL of 3.6 or better), plastic coveralls, and full-face shields to please share with our frontline healthcare staff by dropping them at 360 Office Solutions located at 401 9th Ave. S. as they are graciously collecting supplies on behalf of Benefis. Sew scrub caps: While we aren’t taking handmade masks, we are asking for donations of homemade surgical caps (hair coverings). Click here for three pattern options. Etsy also has patterns for sale. Please bring the caps to 360 Office Solutions. Donate to Benefis Foundation: Donations may be made online or by mail to Benefis Foundation, P.O. Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59406. Support local businesses: Across northcentral Montana, our entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to get people what they need while limiting contact. We care for our community, and we're all in this together. Donate blood: Blood drives may be canceled, but the need continues. Check out the American Red Cross blood donor app, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or schedule an appointment online. April 06, 2020
NAPA Great Falls donated critical N95masks that help protect our healthcareteam while they care for the community.Another community supporter, Centene, isdonating 4,200 masks to Benefis.
What to Say When People AskHow They Can Help Benefis Our community wants to help Benefis during this pandemic.Please let Benefis Foundation know about any contributions sowe may properly thank people. Here are some ideas if you're asked what people can do tohelp: Flatten the curve: The No. 1 thing we need is help preventingcommunity spread of COVID-19 by self-isolating, properlywashing hands, and calling our helpline at (406) 455-2500 if youhave symptoms.
Donate supplies: We ask anyone with N95 masks, gloves(fingertip MIL of 3.6 or better), plastic coveralls, and full-faceshields to please share with our frontline healthcare staff bydropping them at 360 Office Solutions located at 401 9th Ave. S.as they are graciously collecting supplies on behalf of Benefis. Sew scrub caps: While we aren’t taking handmade masks, weare asking for donations of homemade surgical caps (hair
coverings). Click here for three pattern options. Etsy also has patterns for sale. Please bring the caps to360 Office Solutions. Donate to Benefis Foundation: Donations may be made online or by mail to Benefis Foundation, P.O.Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59406. Support local businesses: Across northcentral Montana, our entrepreneurs are finding creative ways toget people what they need while limiting contact. We care for our community, and we're all in this together. Donate blood: Blood drives may be canceled, but the need continues. Check out the American RedCross blood donor app, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or schedule an appointment online.
Papa John's Pizza gave Benefisemployees 500 pizzas as a thank you.Franchisee Rick Mohler said Benefiswas the pilot and he plans to give tohospitals in Papa John's towns acrossMontana/Idaho.
Coping With COVID-19
Your MentalHealth Matters: 7New Ideas forSelf-Care
Let your mind take youon a little vacation. Whatdoes it smell like? Howdoes the tropical breezefeel on your skin? Whatdo you hear?
Let this be yourreminder to practiceself-care during thischallenging time. Dr. Stephanie Burcusa,a licensed clinicalpsychologist at Benefis,offers these simple
Gratitude Moment
Messages of Thanks From OurCommunityWe hope you feel the love from ourcommunity lately. After delivering the first 150 of 500 pizzas hedonated to feed 1,900 Benefis employees,Papa John's franchisee Rick Mohler saidhe's thankful for those who are taking care ofhis friends in the hospital, for those who willbe tried in the days to come as COVID-19peaks, and to all the Emergency Departmentfolks who have ordered a "ton" of pizza overthe years. "We appreciate what you people are doing," he said. "We hope we getthrough this as a team together and get back to normal soon. We just wantedto do something nice for the community and to say, 'We appreciate you.'"
suggestions. We'll postmore tips every week. Check in with your co-workers. Ask how thisexperience has beenfor them, what they arefinding most surprising,and how you cansupport them. Practice generosity.Donate blood, give tocharity, send a letter tosomeone in a nursinghome, etc. Ground yourself. Ifyou are feelingstressed, try thisgrounding technique:Name five things youcan see, four things youcan hear, three thingsyou can touch, twothings you can smell,and one thing you taste.This is a good way toderail panic. Use the power of yourmind to relax. Take afew moments toimagine yourself in arelaxing location.Perhaps it’s a beach ora mountain top or asunny field. Use all ofyour senses to imagineyourself there. Think ofwhat you would see,the sounds you wouldhear, the sensations onyour skin, etc. Try progressivemuscle relaxation.Click here for simpleinstructions. Give a gift (withoutspending money!).Share a favorite songwith a friend, textsomeone a joke, and/ortell a co-worker whyyou appreciate them. Practice radicalacceptance. Let go ofthe way you think lifeshould be and radicallyaccept what is. If yourthoughts begin to spiral,interrupt yourself with
Chalk messages of encouragement read "BRAVE," "COURAGE," and"#GFSTRONG" at East Campus. These are among the many, many messages of thanks from members ofour community, posted on the Benefis Facebook page: "Thank you Benefis doctors, and nurses as well, for staying committed to yourprofession so we can stay at home. You are appreciated!" "Thank you! from a retired Nurse at Benefis. I'm extremely proud to haveworked side by side with such a dedicated and professional medical staffthere at Benefis!!!" "I love and appreciate all of you!" "I'm grateful for the sacrifice you all make. Blessings!!!!" "Thanks and many prayers to all of our care providers on the front lines andbehind." "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!"
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Human Resources News
Many More Products Are NowHSA EligibleThe new $2 trillion stimulus packageincludes two provisions that will directlyimpact customers with health savingsaccounts: 1) HDHP Telemedicine Safe Harbor:Through 2021, a temporary safe harbor has been provided for telemedicineservices and will not disqualify a plan from being HSA eligible.
the reminder: "It justis." For the CDC's COVID-19 mental healthinformation for families,first responders, andothers, click here.
Help is Available:EmployeeAssistanceProgram (EAP)Offers FreeSupport
In this unprecedentedtime, don't be afraid toreach out for help.
As a Benefis HealthSystem employee, youhave access to manyfree benefits, includingthe EmployeeAssistance Program(EAP). The EAPprovides support,resources, andinformation for personaland work-life issues tohelp you and yourfamily deal witheveryday challenges.This includes freecounseling (individualand family), financialinformation, legalinformation, onlinetools, and more.
How to use yourBenefis HealthInsurance Plan forCounseling
Foundation
Mayfaire RaffleTickets AvailableOnline!
2) Over-the-Counter Medications and Menstrual Products: This lawrestores the ability to use HSAs and FSAs to purchase over-the-counter(OTC) medicines that had previously required a prescription from a physicianand for the first time, feminine hygiene products qualify.
Click for a List of Newly Approved Products
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PTO Sell-Back is DelayedIn these times of uncertainty, it is importantthat all of us have as much financialprotection and flexibility as possible. For this reason, we are going to delay ourpaid time off (PTO) sell-back for a couple ofmonths. This will ensure that you have themaximum amount of leave available, shouldyou need it. Once we have made it through thisanticipated surge of COVID-19 patients, we will offer our employees theopportunity to participate in our PTO sell-back program. Thank you for all that you do to care for our patients.
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You Can Change Your DependentFlex Spending Account NowDue to the current unprecedented event thathas shut down schools and child carefacilities, employees are allowed to makechanges to their dependent flex spendingaccount. You can change the amount you are contributing, or you can stop yourcontribution altogether. Please email HR to obtain the necessary change form.
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HR is Practicing SocialDistancingThe Human Resources Division is availableby appointment only to follow the socialdistancing guidelines. You may contact us by phone at (406) 455-5175, by email at [email protected],or by fax at (406) 455-4995. Frequently requested forms are located across the hall from the HumanResources front door in the small alcove next to the cashier window.
Please help make theMayfaire ticket raffle asuccess. The grand prize is$2,000 cash donatedby First Interstate Bank.Other prizes include atwo-night stay at TheLodge at WhitefishLake with a $100 giftcard to the Boat ClubRestaurant and a $500gift certificate to FordeNursery. Tickets are availableonline and at theFoundation office in theThomas Building (120025th St. S.) or call theFoundation at (406)455-5840. Tickets willnot be sold at tables asin previous yearsbecause of COVID-19concerns. Tickets are $10 each orthree for $25 (but youneedn't limit yourself tothree!), and the moneygoes to BenefisFoundation forestablishing the BenefisWomen's andChildren's Center. Anyone interested inselling tickets maycontact Sara Branom toget ticket books to sell,with prizes for the topseller and by randomdraw. With Mayfairepostponed to August28-29, ticket sellers willbe eligible for monthlyprizes leading up to theevent.
Other News
Med Spa OfferingFree Gift With$50+ Orders
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Have You Cleaned Your VoceraToday?The COVID-19 outbreak reminds us anewthat it's important to keep Vocera wearabledevices clean. Click here for cleaning instructions.
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Special Recognition
Benefis Organ Donation Champion Created MeaningfulEndCody Doane, BSRN at Benefis, had a difficult conversation that saved livesthrough organ donation. He recently received LifeCenter Northwest'sLifesaver Award. This award honors and recognizes those who demonstrate a commitment toimproving donation outcomes and culture through their actions, time, andenergy. Cody was able to turn around a family member who didn't want to donate aloved one's organs. Not only did his efforts diffuse the hostility toward organ donation, but Codyalso reassured them this was something the loved one wanted and that agood thing can come from a tragedy. This effort by Cody went above and beyond what we typically ask of hospitalstaff, and it really reinforced his commitment and support to not only honoringthe patient’s wishes but also in supporting his patient’s family members goingthrough grief and loss. More importantly, it showed that both of these thingscan happen simultaneously and to a great and meaningful end.
Thank you, Cody for being a true donation champion.
Med Spa's physicallocation is still closed,but the office is nowstaffed 9 a.m. to noonMonday through Friday.People may call (406)455-2845 to orderproducts, which will bedelivered via courier toEast Campus orshipped to thecustomer. Med Spa is stillaccepting Benefis giftcards, which may beused to make aprepayment on aservice or to buyproducts. The Med Spa is offeringa free gift of a travel-size, award-winningEpionce enrichedfirming mask with aminimum $50 purchaseand entering all ticketsinto a weekly drawingfor a 60-minutemassage.
#GreatFallsStrong
Let’s join together toslow the spread ofCOVID-19 and getthrough these toughtimes together as acommunity.
Rayn Ginnaty (CNO), Patti Vielle (ICU manager), Cody Doane (BSRN), JustinFrank of LifeCenter Northwest, Brandi Cornwell (OR manager/donationliaison), and Kevin Langkiet (director critical care and emergency).
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Cheers to Our Cancer RegistrarThis week is National Cancer RegistrarsWeek, and we are celebrating the role thatcancer registrars play in improving cancertreatment and in prevention programs. Cancer registrars are health informationprofessionals who collect and code data thatguides the work of oncologists, nurses,researchers and public health officials toensure the best possible outcomes forcancer patients. Benefis has one cancer registrar specialist,Courtney Black, and one certified tumor registrar, Cindy McLendon, whocapture data on the about 630 newly diagnosed cancer cases a year thatBenefis treats.
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Cafe Corner
Grocery Baskets Offered, FamilyMeals AvailableEast Cafe will continue to offer to-go familymeals for Benefis employees to take home.Please order by 3 p.m. through the mobileThomas To Go app and pick up in the cafebetween 4 and 7 p.m. This week's to-go family meals menu is:
Market baskets are happening again this week! Preorder either throughour mobile app or contact Kristie McGuire by email. The cost is $30 andincludes a selection of fresh produce, grains, and dairy items. Basket contentswill vary each week. Order by 5 p.m. Wednesday and pick up your basket inthe cafe Friday afternoon. These are available at both East and West Campus(if you are ordering for West Campus, please make a note of that on yourorder). Food services operations are revised because Benefis has a lowcensus. East Cafe will not offer the Market Station for lunch and dinner. Wewill continue to have fresh-made soup, the grill, deli, salad, and Flavor & Firestations available, along with a robust selection of grab and go items.
We’ve created acustom Facebookframe to celebrate thestrength of ourcommunity. Add it toyour profile by going tothe Benefis Facebookpage and clicking "tryframe."
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Coffee Shop Shaves HoursYou may need to change when you're gettingyour caffeine fix at Benefis. Grounds & Grains at East Campus isoperating with reduced hours and will beopen 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday throughFriday. Meanwhile the coffee bar in Medical OfficeBuilding 4 (Orthopedic Center of Montana)has reopened. The coffee, soup, and deli baris open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday throughFriday. The door to retail remains closed. West Campus Cafe hours of operation arechanging, too. Beginning today, the cafe willbe open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Baristas, we appreciate you!
