Hawaii - Pacific Chapter of ACHE

Summer 2020 Vol. 2

Messages from Chapter Leadership

Message from the Regent

Hawaii-Pacific Regent, Gidget Ruscetta communicates ACHE's mission to advance healthcare leaders and the field of healthcare management excellence. 

Message from Your ACHE Regent
Spring 2020

Hawai'i Pacific ACHE Members,

A few months ago, I was planning to fly to Chicago to reconnect with friends, meet new ACHE members, and participate in conversations about the latest health care changes as we all plan for payment transformation.

Fast forward to today, and I am standing in my office planning for a "NEW NORMAL". Wow, normal. What does that even mean anymore? Everyone is wearing a mask, screening patients for COVID-19 before surgery, engaged in telemedicine visits with physicians, and social distancing. Never in my 30 + years in health care did I ever think I would be looking at the services we provide through this lens. Our nature in Hawai'i and the Pacific is to greet each other with a hug and a kiss. Now we hesitate to get close and try to greet each other with a smile through our eyes.

As I reflect on a few short weeks ago, we were preparing for Congress and the excitement of seeing old friends and making new connections. I feel so blessed and fortunate to have you as a colleague and member of our Hawai'i Pacific Chapter of ACHE. When I think of all of you, and the work we have accomplished to keep our staff, patients, and community safe through this pandemic, I think of perseverance, accomplishment, togetherness, community, and the list goes on. YOU ARE MY HEALTH CARE HEROES!

Take time to reflect on what you and your staff have accomplished and know we will get through this together. Remember, ACHE is here to support you during this difficult time.

Please refer to the ACHE website for a few reminders:

o   The online COVID-19 Resource that includes webinars, articles, and podcasts. There are also other resources such as the Social Media How-to Guide that provides members a guide on how to best utilize social media platforms.

o   Upcoming webinars (eligible for 1 ACHE Qualified Education credit each)

o   Posted Articles by Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, president, and CEO, ACHE:

•         Leading Together Through COVID-19
•         Leading Through a Crisis
•         Leading Together

Take care and I hope to see you soon for a face-to-face conversation (socially distance) as we establish our NEW NORMAL!

Gidget Ruscetta, FACHE
Regent for Hawaii/Pacific


Note:
If you would like to send a message to the Regent, please use the Regent's email listed above. Do not reply directly to this email message since your message will go to Regional Services, and not directly to the Regent.

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Stay current on the latest from ACHE--check out ACHE National News.

Message from the Chapter President

Andrew Giles, MBA, FACHE

Chapter President Andrew Giles shares recent chapter events and invites members to anticipate amazing opportunities to come in 2020.

Aloha Kakou Chapter Members,

I hope this message finds you well.  It has been a difficult few months, but I am encouraged at the resilience and comradery we have seen in our communities as we navigate through life with Covid-19.  I applaud our health care workers, support staff, and leaders like yourselves for the heroic work caring for the people of hawaii with such grace during this pandemic.  The community is equally appreciative, one of the most endearing events I listen to every night, is the 7pm cheering that echoes throughout Waikiki.  It is humbling to see thousands of people on their balconies, clapping and banging pots in support of our first responders, critical workers, and healthcare personnel.   It is times like this that remind us why we entered into healthcare, and the positive impact we make in our community.

Our local ACHE board continues to meet virtually each month to discuss chapter initiatives and activities.  Due to Covid-19, we have decided to postpone our (July) Annual ACHE breakfast meeting this year.  More information regarding this event, and other opportunities for CEU’s, will be forthcoming soon.  In the interim, I encourage all of our members to peruse ACHE’s Covid-19 Resource Center, which has a plethora of trainings and other useful information.  I’ve found the (free) webinars particularly enriching, with some of the top healthcare leaders in the country detailing their experiences operating in this “new norm.”  Thank you for your support of the Hawaii-Pacific Chapter of ACHE, and I hope to see you all in-person again someday soon.  Stay Safe & Aloha!

Aloha Kakou Chapter Members,

Mahalo 

Articles of Interest

Behind the Scenes: Supply Chain Managers Work to Keep Hawaii's Healthcare Workers Safe

By Kenny Morris

Open and productive conversation is absolutely critical in today’s business environment. The problem is that most of us think we are having conversations when we really are not.

As the COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the world over the past few months, one area of healthcare has been working behind the scenes to support and manage the essential personal protective equipment (PPE) utilized by frontline healthcare workers throughout the islands. The Supply Chain Management personnel at hospitals, physician and dental offices, and surgical centers in Hawaii have been scrambling and working around the clock combing through supplier networks, building up local stockpiles and organizing community donations in attempts to bolster their supply of PPE to protect those in healthcare that are most at risk. At three local hospital organizations, Adventist Health Castle, Hawaii Pacific Health and The Queen’s Health Systems, increases in front line demand for PPE have spiked since the start of the Pandemic.

Prior to COVID-19, the need for specialty N95 masks and face shields was relatively low and mostly in pharmaceutical compounding areas and airborne isolation rooms. At Adventist Health Castle, Brian Kay, Director of Supply Chain Management, reported a nearly 1200% increase in utilization of N95 masks and face shields specifically during the highest points of COVID-19 hyper-awareness. To cope with the increased demand and subsequent need for warehouse space, Kay and Adventist Health Castle Leadership commandeered the hospital auditorium to store essential supplies and PPE in the event a spike in cases occurred. COVID-19-unit setup exercises and supply burn rate reporting in addition to normal operations have become the new normal as Kay and his team work to keep Castle’s workers safe.

Corey Au, Director of Supply Chain and Strategic Sourcing at The Queen’s Health Systems, has seen a major increase in both demand for PPE at QHS facilities and prices for those supplies. With suppliers struggling to keep up with demand, Au has seen prices for N95’s increase by as much as 900%. “We used to pay $0.52 for N95,” Au stated, but “now we pay between $3.50 and $4.70 a mask”. Demand and pricing for surgical masks have also increased. Prior to the pandemic Queen’s paid around $.07 per mask. With backorders across the board with original suppliers, Queen’s and other health systems have had to look to China for sourcing at prices as much as 1200% above normal. Community donations have been helpful. Queen’s has received great support from local organizations and individuals. In addition to normal operations during the week, supply chain managers at Queen’s Punchbowl have been spending weekends sorting, cataloging and distributing donations to the various units throughout the hospital. To accommodate the new higher levels of PPE required in preparation for COVID-19, Queen’s also was able to build out additional secured warehouse space on campus for PPE and supplies.

Hawaii Pacific Health’s initial surge in usage of PPE associated with COVID-19 has given way to a slowdown. According to Dave Stumbaugh, Vice President of Supply Chain Management, “burn rates are actually lower than March due to elective procedures being shut down and then slowly ramping up”. HPH, which operates its own medical supplies warehouse on O‘ahu, has benefitted from not needing to procure additional warehouse space to store PPE and essential supplies.

With such a heavy focus on hospitals and first responders, the Hawai’i dental community has had difficulty getting their hands on necessary protective equipment. Jason Ching D.D.S, a pediatric dentist in Pearl City, has taken matters into his own hands. He organized a group of over 70 local dentists in partnership with physician groups and hospital partners to provide a means for small dental practices to take part in bulk purchasing of PPE and supplies normally inaccessible to individual practices. Though most dental offices closed during the lockdown order in Hawaii to all but the most emergent procedures, elective procedures are beginning again, and the need for protective equipment for staff is greater than ever. Almost all dental procedures create aerosolized oral particles at close range that create an elevated risk of transmission for Dentists, Dental Hygienists and Assistants.

Many of the changes that have accompanied health care facilities’ responses to the Pandemic will remain in place for some time. Extensive use of PPE is definitely among these. Continued innovation and adjustment to ever-changing circumstances will be essential if healthcare providers of all types and sizes are to meet this need effectively. The behind the scenes work of all of those involved in Supply Chain Management plays a crucial role with helping to keep our health care workers, patients, and the community safe.

How to Use Virtual Visits to Connect Coronavirus Patients With Loved Ones

AdventHealth is connecting hospitalized patients and families with virtual visits, including coronavirus patients.

To curb the spread of COVID-19, hospitals across the country have placed strict limits on visits to hospitalized patients. Visitation restrictions have been troublesome for COVID-19 patients, with families unable to see their loved ones for many days or weeks, and seriously ill patients dying without contact with their families.

For COVID-19 patients, virtual visits at AdventHealth have generated significant benefits, says Pam Guler, MHA, vice president and chief experience officer at the Altamonte Springs, Florida-based health system. "This has been meaningful for our patients, their families, and our caregivers. Many caregivers have told stories of creating a moment that has deep meaning not only for families and patients but also has touched their hearts."

AdventHealth features nearly 50 hospitals in nine states. During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical visits to hospitalized patients have been limited to a single loved one in the case of an end-of-life situation, childbirth, and a child in the hospital.

VIRTUAL VISIT BASICS

AdventHealth recently launched virtual visits for hospitalized patients with the distribution of 1,000 Chromebooks and some iPads throughout the health system's hospital campuses, Guler says. The cost of the initiative was minimal because the Chromebooks were already on hand for another project, which has been delayed, she says. "The investment has been more about helping our team members to understand what they need to do."

With help from the health system's information technology staff, Guler has a team of 65 experience leaders who facilitate the virtual visits. In one recent week, the health system conducted 1,350 virtual visits. "Our information technology staff loaded the Chromebooks in a way to make it as easy as possible to use Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, and Facetime. We are using Google Hangouts quite a bit for video chats."

CORONAVIRUS PATIENT VIRTUAL VISITS

AdventHealth has put protocols in place for hospitalized COVID-19 patients to have virtual visits with loved ones, including for end-of-life situations, Guler says.

There are three primary considerations for virtual visits with all COVID-19 patients:

• To limit the number of people in a patient's room for infection control, a bedside caregiver in full personal protective equipment brings a Chromebook or other device into the room.
   
• The device can be held by the bedside caregiver or placed on a bedside table if the family requests privacy for the virtual visit.
   
• After the virtual visit, a disinfectant is used to sterilize the Chromebook or other devices.

The protocols for end-of-life situations are more involved, she says. "We have to facilitate calls more when there is an end-of-life scenario and the patient is not able to be an active participant."

The first step is for an experience leader to contact the family and to see whether they want to have a virtual visit. Then the family is asked whether they want to have a hospital chaplain included in the virtual visit.

Once a virtual visit has been arranged, an experience leader initiates the call to the family and hands off the device to a bedside caregiver outside the patient's room. In most cases, the bedside caregiver holds the device, so the family gets a full view of the patient.

Although ICU bedside caregivers are experienced in working with the families of dying patients, they have received training to help them facilitate virtual visits, Guler says.

"This is a very deep and meaningful situation and interaction, and we have shared some words the caregivers might say. They may ask the family whether there is anything they can do to be the family's hands as the family is talking with their loved one, such as, 'Can I touch your loved one's hand?' They have protective equipment on, but they can be the hands of the family. The caregivers try to do anything they can to bring a human touch to this virtual experience."

Many family members can participate in an end-of-life virtual visit, she says.

"In one end-of-life situation, we had 15 family members on the virtual chat, along with their family pastor. The patient could not respond, but the family was able to say some last words. They said how much they loved the patient. Their pastor prayed with them. It was deeply meaningful and facilitated by a caregiver who held the device. In that situation, the caregiver did not need to say anything."

THE NEW NORMAL

AdventHealth plans to continue providing virtual visits for hospitalized patients after the COVID-19 crisis is over, Guler says.

"We want to continue virtual visits in the future. Even in a non-COVID-19 scenario, we often have patients who have family across the country. With this platform now in place, contact does not just have to be through telephone. We are already exploring ways that we can have virtual visits in the future in a non-COVID-19 world."

—Adapted from "How to Use Virtual Visits to Connect Coronavirus Patients With Loved Ones," HealthLeaders, by Christopher Cheney, May 1, 2020.

We Must Stay Informed

We have long known that when it comes to health outcomes in America, inequalities have persisted along racial lines. The recent coronavirus pandemic has shined an ugly light on these disparities as severe cases of COVID 19, the illness caused by the virus, are disproportionately affecting African American and Hispanic/Latino communities at a higher rate. While much is still unknown about the virus, it has become increasingly clear that it is impacting many vulnerable segments of our society. However, in America, that vulnerability is highly intersected with race and poverty.

What steps should we take to stay safe and avoid further spread of the virus? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following steps:

Know How It Spreads

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within six feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Clean Your Hands Often

Wash often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid Close Contact

Avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home as much as possible and avoid large groups, and put distance between yourself and other people.

Cover Your Mouth and Nose

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. Everyone should wear a face cover when they have to go out in public, such as to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Continue to keep about six feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover Coughs and Sneezes

Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

—Adapted from “We Must Stay Informed,” Black News Portal, by Kenny McMorris, FACHE, CEO, Charles Drew Health Center, Inc., Omaha, Neb. April 2020

Calendars and Recent Events

Calendar of Events

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Calendar of Educational Events

Upcoming Calendar of Educational Events

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News & Committee Updates

News from the Education Committee

Kristen Croom, MLS(ASCP), MB(ASCP)

Supporting Continuing Education for Our Members

Student Corner

Rachelle B. Gallegos, Student Representative

Surviving COVID-19-Related Stress as a Student

Surviving COVID-19-Related Stress as a Student

With schools around the country closed, students are challenged with unprecedented change. On campus classes have turned into virtual classes. You may have returned home, where you're missing friends and uncovering how studying is becoming difficult. Or maybe you've stayed put and feel the anxiety and burden about your family. Perhaps you're managing your children's educational needs as well as your own. You might have lost capital or your employment. Whether you're a graduate student or an undergrad, you're probably feeling adversity and uncertainty that can create some unsteady feelings. These feelings are all normal. And there are methods to minimize your stress.

Practice self-care and wellness

Maintaining basic self-care will aid in keeping your immune system strong and will keep your emotional reserves full. Get enough sleep. Exercise regularly. Eat well. Try mindfulness apps.

Find activities that engage different parts of yourself. Do something physical like dancing. Occupy your mind with puzzles. Engage your senses with hot baths or fragrant candles.

Make time to unwind. Try to do some activities you enjoy.

Find ways to focus

You might feel unmotivated now. Recognize that the current circumstances are hard for everyone and maybe just provisional. Don't judge yourself; just do the best you can. Establish a routine. Get up, go to bed and do your work at the same time every day. Frequent breaks can help you re-engage in your work.

Attempt to build an isolated work space, although you should reserve your sleeping area for sleeping. If family members are distracting you, use "I" statements to explain the problem -- "I'm worried about my exam next week" -- and work together to develop solutions.

Seek out social support

Your peers have possibly scattered. And having to remain at home can be lonesome. To battle isolation, get together with your dorm-mates or graduate school cohort via technology. Even something as simple as turning on your webcam throughout virtual classes may help you and others feel more connected.

 

Mahalo,

 

Rachelle Gallegos

Student Representative 

808-330-8817 (Mobile)

rachelle.gallegos@hawaiihealthpartners.org
 

 

 

Member Spotlight

Captain Kimberly A. Zuzelski, MPH MS RD CSSD FACHE

Captain Kimberly Zuzelski is currently the Commanding Officer of the Naval Health Clinics in Hawaii, which includes 6 geographically dispersed ambulatory care clinics that serve about 35,000 enrolled patients. Her initial education and training was in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics at Colorado State University. Captain Zuzelski joined the Navy through a scholarship program that funded her dietetic internship program in exchange for three years of service, which was 27 years ago. Since then, she returned to school for a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The Navy has afforded her innumerable opportunities to serve across the globe in various inpatient and ambulatory clinical and administrative roles in nutrition, food service, diabetes education, sports nutrition, public health, quality management, and healthcare administration. Captain Zuzelski has had exposure to some incredible mentors and leaders that contributed to her desire to pursue executive medicine as a career path

Why did you join ACHE and how long have you been a member?

I initially joined ACHE to broaden my exposure to the field of healthcare administration in 2003, although I focused more on my clinical credentials and board certifications in diabetes education and sports dietetics until a few years ago.  As my leadership responsibilities increased, I looked to ACHE as a credible source for education, professional growth and following industry benchmarks.  I became a Fellow of ACHE in 2016. 

How has ACHE impacted your career or leadership style?

ACHE has offered a network of professionals that enable shared ideas and support while leading in today’s healthcare environment.  It has offered an avenue for me to understand the parallels between military and civilian healthcare, and the self-assessments enabled me to target opportunities for continued education and currency.  When I was involved with implementing an electronic health record at a prior command, I was able to track articles and lessons learned from ACHE publications as well. 

What would you say to someone who is interested in joining ACHE?

I’d say that ACHE is an exceptional organization regardless of whether one is a clinician or administrator. ACHE has so much to offer with regard to personal and professional growth, networking, and industry excellence.

What would your words of encouragement be to early careerists about pursuing healthcare leadership positions given the ever changing healthcare environment?

Now is the best time to be involved. Healthcare is always changing, but therein lies the opportunity to innovate and shape what our system looks like in the future.

Captain Kimberly A. Zuzelski, MPH MS RD CSSD FACHE

Membership Report: New Fellows, Members, and Recertified Fellows

Travis Clegg, Membership Chair

On behalf of the membership committee, I wish to thank all of you for your engagement with and continued support for our chapter.

Aloha from the membership committee! Much has changed since our last update, and we have put a "raincheck" on our 2020 social mixers. Stay tuned for further updates as we evaluate options for staying in touch in the fall.

 Please extend a warm aloha to our New Members!

• CPT Emir H. Leslie, DBA
• Barb R. Craft, MBA, BSN, RN
• Matthew Wells
• Sgt Hailey L. Gibbs
• Capt Myranda K. Quinata

Congratulations to our Recertified Fellows!

• James A. Diegel, FACHE
• Kathy A. Raethel, FACHE

ACHE Resources

ACHE National News

ACHE National News: Summer Edition

COVID-19 Resources

Thank you for the work you are doing in your healthcare organizations and communities to manage the impact of COVID-19 and take care of patients. We are well-aware these are extraordinary times for you as leaders.

Now more than ever, it is important to remain connected to your professional society and fellow healthcare leaders. Our COVID-19 Resource Center is updated regularly with perspectives from front-line leaders, documents, and downloadable webinars and podcasts. We are here to support you.

ACHE Job Center

Recognizing that employment and hiring needs continue to evolve amidst the landscape of COVID-19, we encourage all ACHE members, associates, registered employers, and recruiters to leverage the ACHE Job Center in support of recruitment efforts and job search needs during these unprecedented and uncertain times.

Obtaining the prestigious FACHE^® credential signifies hard work, dedication and commitment. To thank you for your efforts, the $225 Board of Governors Exam fee will be waived for approved applications when you submit your completed application by July 31, 2020 (including the application fee and all supporting documents).

Learn more about the requirements to sit for the Exam and the resources available to help you prepare.

Coming Soon: New and Improved ACHE Leadership Mentoring Network

Mentoring is one of ACHE’s highest priorities. We believe no matter where you are in your career, mentoring is an integral part of professional growth and leadership development. We are currently working on launching a new digital mentoring platform designed to enhance the mentoring experience and broaden the reach for mentoring experiences and support overall. Watch for more information coming later this summer.

Run for ACHE Regent

The Council of Regents is the legislative body representing ACHE’s more than 48,000 members. Serving as an elected official is a unique opportunity that allows you to exercise your leadership ability, share innovative ideas and act on behalf of ACHE members.

Any Fellow who wishes to run for election to serve on the Council of Regents must submit a letter of intent to elections@ache.org by Aug. 21. 

The Council of Regents elections will be held in the following jurisdictions:

Alabama
Alaska
Colorado
Delaware
Hawaii/Pacific
Idaho
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New Hampshire
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
Texas—Northern
Utah
Wisconsin

Visit the Official Notice for the 2020–2021 Council of Regents Elections for more information, or contact Caitlin E. Stine, content marketing specialist, Department of Marketing, at cstine@ache.org.

Forum on Advances in Healthcare Management Research 

Career Corner

Whether you're an early careerist, making a career transition, or getting ready to retire from the C-suite; ACHE's Career Resource Center offers a myriad of tools and resources to help you succeed.

Leadership Mentoring Network

Partner With a Mentor