Week in Review 6/14/21

New MHC Masking and Meeting Guidelines Going Into Effect Monday, June 21, 2021

Masking

• Masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated Healthcare Team members in non-patient care/staff-only areas, including buildings that are not open to patients and visitors, as well as staff-only areas of clinical settings such as break rooms and meeting rooms.
• If a patient or visitor comes to a non-patient care or staff-only area, masking is immediately required.
• Masks will still be required for non-vaccinated Healthcare Team members in all settings.
• Universal Masking remains in place for all Healthcare Team members, patients, and visitors in patient care and visitor areas regardless of vaccination status. This includes any building where patients and visitors could be in our facilities. Examples include patient rooms/treatment areas, hallways, waiting rooms, and cafeterias.

Meetings

• In-person meetings, retreats, management team meetings, onsite training, in-person department social events (department recognitions, retirements) are all now permitted as long as all capacity, social distancing, and masking requirements (see above) are met.

• Virtual preliminary interviews for external candidates remain in place; onsite interviews will now be permitted for 2^nd interviews and finalists as long as all capacity, social distancing, and masking requirements are met.
• Regional travel for in-person meetings is permitted as long as all capacity, social distancing, and masking requirements are met.
• Gathering of MHC-sponsored support groups as a part of treatment are now permitted as long as all capacity, social distancing, and masking requirements are met. Meeting requests from outside groups to use MHC facilities are still not permitted.
• Travel to conferences for CME is permitted, effective July 1, 2021. Other non-essential business travel is not permitted at this time.

All other guidelines remain in place if not mentioned above including social distancing in all areas at MHC with the exception of some classroom training situations. Read communication for FAQs.

Update to CDC’s Treatment Guidelines for Gonococcal Infection

The CDC has updated its treatment guidelines for gonococcal infection.

Recognition for the Munson Healthcare Team

• Nick Torney, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, and Mike Tiberg, PharmD, BCPS-AQ ID; MHC Infectious Diseases Pharmacists, recently co-authored “Description of a pharmacist-managed/administered penicillin allergy skin testing service at a community hospital”, which was published in the AJHP.
• Several MHC physicians were recognized in My North’s Red Hot Best of Northern Michigan annual people’s choice awards.

People on the Move

• Cristen Brandsma has transitioned from the Director of South Region Surgical Services to the Interim Director of Nursing for Surgical Services at Munson Medical Center. Cristen will provide support and leadership to the surgical services teams after the passing of long-time Nursing Director Max Hunter.
• Alicia Maitland has been named Chief Financial Officer for MHC. She will be taking over the role from Mark Hepler who is retiring at the end of the month.

Provider Forum (PF)/Friday Medical Conference (FMC)

6.23.21: PF | System Updates

Register

6.18.21: FMC | Sepsis Update (Vaughan)

Register; Will not be posted