Q: If I do not qualify for the insurance discount because of BMI, would my de-pendents be able to get it?

A: The only eligible dependent would be a spouse or domestic partner at $20/pay period.Steve Sesterhenn, HR

Q: My husband uses e-cigarettes (with nicotine but no tobacco) to quit smoking. How are methods to quit smoking ad-dressed in the nicotine lab draw?A: E-cigarettes and nicotine patches do create a blood level of nicotine, but we have set our test threshold high enough so that should not be a problem.Dr. Tim Horrigan, CMO

Q: Will we get the results of the blood draw?

A: The lab will not mail results, but re-sults should be available on My UnityPoint and uploaded to On Point for Health by the end of October.Ashton DeMoss, Employee Health

Q: What is FTE and how does it relate to scheduling of sta�?

A: FTE is Full Time Equivalent. This equates to a person working an 80-hour pay period every two weeks or 40 hours per week. If someone is regularly sched-uled at a 0.8 FTE, their regular work week is 32 hours, or 64 hours per pay period. This does not mean they work that num-ber of hours every week. Due to vacations, sick days and FMLA, a person may work more than their FTE to help fill in. The FTE system gives us better estimates of the number of people and hours needed to get the job done.Steve Sesterhenn , HR

Birthdays & Hire Dates CARE Counts Classifieds EAPworks Health Beat Menus Phone Book

Surveyextended to

September30!

There’s still time.Take the Patient Safety Survey TODAY!

Allen Tobacco-Free Campus Policy Now Includes E-CigarettesUnityPoint Health – Waterloo now prohibits the use of tobacco and the use of inhaled nicotine products, including smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes. The policy applies to all Allen facilities, vehicles and grounds. The policy does not pertain to any tobacco cessation products that contain nicotine such as gum, lozenges or transdermal nicotine patches. The updated SOP number is 1-S-20-0.

LINK GRAPHIC TO ASK ALLEN

HELP US CELEBRATENational Rehabilitation Week

Sept 21-27You are invited to visit Inpatient Rehab on Friday, Sept. 26!

We will have a flavored popcorn bar from 1-3 pm for all Allen hospital sta� as long as supplies last!

Q: Are you able to have more than one job within Allen Hospital if you hold a position that is 0.9 or greater?A: If you work for Allen, you can-not work combined jobs that equal more than 1.0 FTE. You may work more than that in times of need, but your hired FTE cannot exceed 1.0.Steve Sesterhenn, HR

Q: Has the hospital considered having the medical-surgical nursing units take some on call time to help cover their own absences?A: Not at this time. The resource pool is designed to provide re-placement for absences and in-creased volume.Mary Hagen, CNE

Q: Has the hospital considered a resource pool dedicated to critical care and ED?A: As we talk about surge capac-ity and look at sta£ng needs and how this is managed nationally, it’s an excellent time to evaluate options. In making sta� decisions, we consider what is best for the patients in those areas. With in-creased visits in ED and increased volume in ICU, our current re-source sta� have been assigned to those areas.Mary Hagen, CNE

DAISY AwardAllen Hospital’s fourth DAISY Award honoree was recognized on Thurs-day, September 18. Karen Duncan, RN, BSN, was nominated for her calm, patient and compassionate nature working in the emergency department. Her willingness to collaborate with others to help Allen patients receive the best care is exemplary and patients repeatedly share how reassuring Karen is as a nurse.

A patient from the Emergency Department shared the following story:

“I was involved in a significant motor vehicle crash and su�ered serious inju-ries. An ER nurse stopped to help me.” She was not sure of the nurse’s name but said that she was so kind, confident and reassuring. “She let me know when she left that she was going to the Emergency Department to get every-thing ready for me. When I got to Allen, the nurse that had stopped at the accident was now my trauma nurse. It was comforting to see her in the room waiting for me. She was amazing. I was in the ER for several hours and she took great care of me. I hope she knows how much I appreciated everything she did for me that day.”

Karen lives the CARE values each day and is truly compassionate about her nursing profession. Congratulations Karen on receiving the DAISY recognition!

Karen with many of her emergency department colleagues.

Know an AWESOME nurse?NOMINATE him or her for the

DAISY Award!NOMINATE

ask AllenGot a question? We’ve got answers. Click the graphic in the Ask Allen column to ask a confidential question and we’ll answer it in upcoming Friday Editions. We’ll also be answering some questions during the associate forums October 13-22. If you’d like your question answered at the forums, please make a note of that when you submit your question and we’ll answer as many as we can.

Got a question? We’ve got answers. Click the graphic in

Biometric testing, blood draws and nicotine screenings are all working well. Here are several updates to help make the process even easier:

• All tests will be o�ered on all dates listed on the updated chart

• Allen Hospital tests will be o�ered 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.• Biometric testing (height, weight, blood pressure)

will be in the Allen Hospital Entrance 1 meeting room

• Blood draws and nicotine screening will be done in the Allen Hospital Lab

• United Medical Park tests will be o�ered:• Tuesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 9• 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.• Suite 103 A• Flu shots will be given at UMP at these two

times

The Allen Lab asks all participants to fast for 12 hours prior to blood draws. If you do not fast, your results may show elevated glucose or lipids, which would qualify you for coaching you otherwise might not need. Morning medications with water are fine prior to your blood draw.

Get Your Numbers Update

ALLEN HOSPITAL7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Biometric Screenings: Entrance 1 Meeting RoomBlood Draws & Nicotine Tests: Allen LabFriday, September 26Monday, September 29Tuesday, September 30Wednesday, October 1Thursday, October 2Friday, October 3Saturday, October 4Saturday, October 11

UNITED MEDICAL PARK12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.Biometric Screenings: Room 103ABlood Draws & Nicotine Tests: UMP LabFlu shots will also be given.Tuesday, October 7Thursday, October 9

Despite the fact that sepsis a�ects more than a mil-lion Americans each year and kills up to half of them, a new survey published by the Sepsis Alliance found that fewer than half of all Americans have ever even heard of the term ‘sepsis.’

Sepsis is a serious illness that can develop when the body’s normal reaction to fight an infection goes awry and can quickly become life-threatening. The body’s immune system releases chemicals into the blood to fight infections but sometimes those chemicals can cause inflammation, which can lead to blood clots and organ damage. In severe cases, sepsis can weaken the heart, shut down other organs, and may lead to death. Early recognition of patients with possible sepsis is critical for preventing severe outcomes.

Sepsis currently a�ects more than 1 million people every year and the number of cases has been increas-ing. Those at higher risk for sepsis include people with weakened immune systems, infants and children, elderly people, people with chronic illnesses and those who su�er severe burns or physical trauma. Patients

This is your opportunity to meet over lunch with Pam Delagardelle to talk about what’s happening atUnityPoint Health in general and Allen in particular.

Luncheons are open to all Allen associates. Eachluncheon is small – only 12 people – so everyone will have a chance to talk. The setting is relaxed, the food will be great and we’ll pick up the tab.

Enroll today in NetLearning. Enter “pizza” into Enroll in Class, and schedule your Pizza With Pam today. Please enroll just once.

who develop and survive sepsis have an increased risk of complications and death later, and they face higher healthcare costs and longer treatment.

The CDC recognizes September as Sepsis Awareness Month and is working year round to raise awareness of sepsis, prevent it, and improve early detection and treatment. Many individuals here at Allen and at a system level are working to develop processes aimed at improving outcomes for patients diagnosed with Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock.

Date Place TimeMonday, September 29 AMH MR6 Noon - 1:00pmMonday, October 27 AMH MR5 Noon - 1:00pmMonday, November 10 UMP - ASC Noon - 1:00pmMonday, November 24 AMH MR6 Noon - 1:00pmMonday, December 1 AMH MR6 Noon - 1:00pm

Here’s the schedule of upcoming dates:

CDC Recognizes September as Sepsis Awareness MonthBy Michelle Heine

End Summer with Stress Relief TipsWith summer’s end approaching, you may havealready taken your planned vacation. Whatever you did and wherever you went, going away always adds stress with the planning, packing, and traveling. Why not use the few weeks you have left to de-stresswithout all that? Often called a “Staycation” finding ways to recharge, relax and renew right at home can be a wonderful getaway without going anywhere.

When away from home, your day is very di�erent from your normal responsibilities-and hopefullyescaping some of them for a bit can reduce some stress. But when you’re back at home and into your regular routine, what can you do to remove yourself from some of those daily stresses?

Here are some easy tips that can help you recharge, relax and renew right in your own back yard.

Although you can use these stress reduction tips throughout the year, the lazy, hazy days of summer can add to your enjoyment. Go for one (or more!) and feel yourself recharge, relax and renew right in your own back yard.

www.janadaclark.com/end-summer-with-stress-relief-tips

BLUECREW

2014 Schedule

Limit or Discontinue Your Cell Phone andComputerSelect a specific time (it could be two hours a day after work or a weekend day) whatever you are will-ing to commit to. Yes, it will be hard, but you will be surprised at how you CAN function without constant access to them-AND it will reduce your stress.

Take an Imaginary TripPick up a travel video of a place you’ve always wanted to see. While you watch, add to the fun by having an ethnic meal that reflects the destination. Afterwards, to sustain the mood, refrain from watching regular TV programs or evening news. You really won’t miss anything! How about reading a novel that features the same place?

Don’t CookAn inexpensive and tasty way to put a meal on thetable: Stop at your local grocery store deli. They have an extensive variety of entrées, salads, and side dishes. Typically more healthy selections than fast food and you can get in and out quickly. Use paper plates for easy clean up.

Walk & TalkDon’t think of it as exercise, just go out for the fresh air and to visit with your family or a friend. Combin-ing movement with a social connection is a powerful stress reducer. Pick a night, invite folks to join you, and go for a stroll-easy paced-just for fun.

Blood DriveMonday, Oct. 611:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Barrett Forum, Allen College(1990 Heath St., Waterloo)

Schedule a blood donation appointment todayor contact Allison Jensen at 319-226-2016.

Submit articles to: Robin.Nicholson@unitypoint.orgDeadline for submissions: noon Thursday