I wanted to write something to honor the people behind the scenes – the people who don’t always get the credit that nurses and doctors get. They also put their lives at risk and are always there to support us. — Jun Huang, DO, physician-in-charge, West Covina Medical Office
Dr. Huang’s kind first-person account recognizes those he calls “a different group of heroes, who do their jobs with incredible dedication, perseverance, and care…the heroes whose work enables the work of physicians and nurses; the workers without whom our jobs would be difficult, if not impossible. Read it here.[2]
If you would like to share your reflections of 50-350 words on how the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted your work and/or personal life, to be featured on KP publications, please send it to: KPSC-FYI@kp.org[3].
Something we can all use right now: simple ideas to help build resilience an d strengthen your ability to bounce back during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resilience has to do with taking stressful or unpleasant experiences and adapting, overcoming, and most importantly — moving on. Resilience is important for maintaining mental as well as physical health, which can be affected by negative emotions like anxiety and stress. Take a break, and check out these tips[5].
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One Nurse’s Day. One Patient’s Last Day. A Personal Reflection.
Sometimes, a story needs little introduction. This is one such time. Cecilia Fleming-Tumer, MPH, RN, shares her beautifully expressed self-reflections on her experience with a patient who was taken by COVID-19 – and on her role as a nurse leader and fellow human being. Her moving words inspire us to remain strong, committed, and compassionate, whether we face similar circumstances or not. Read them here[7], or in the Los Angeles Daily News[8] where they were published as part of Nurses Week.
If you would like to share your reflections on how the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted your work and/or personal life, (50-350 words, please) send it to: KPSC-FYI@kp.org[3].
McDonald’s is offering free Thank You meals to healthcare workers and first responders. Just show your KP badge at participating McDonald’s for a breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, one per day through May 5th (or less – let’s be mindful of our nutrition!). Thanks back, McDonald’s. McDeets here[10].
Who doesn’t need a good, clean dad joke? Not a one of us. It’s what we all need right now. Get a new one daily, along with poems and inspirational messages, by dialing 1-877-JOY-4ALL (1-877-569-4255). A group of Canadian teens launched the low tech, now viral idea with the intention of bringing a smile to elderly or isolated people. Now viral, JOY4ALL[12] still provides exactly what its name promises.
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For the past 6 years, Kaiser Permanente Southern California has participated in Denim Day to support Peace Over Violence’s campaign and to observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Wear jeans on April 29 to help raise awareness about sexual assault prevention, and shine a light on KPSC’s Family Violence Prevention Program[14], which addresses child, elder, and intimate partner abuse.
Hear a message of thanks and visit a gallery of gratitude for the amazing work happening at KP during the COVID-19 crisis. The message, delivered by Allison Janney, the voice of the Thrive campaign, underscores the extraordinary things you are doing on behalf of our members and patients, and each other. View video on InsideKP Southern California[16] (login required).
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What are the recommended masking guidelines away from work?
The Centers for Disease Control recommend wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. CDC also advises using cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus by people who may unknowingly have the virus. Most Southern California counties require cloth face masks when in public.
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What is KP doing to help frontline employees cope with pressures brought by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Kaiser Permanente recognizes many of the people of KP are facing significant, unprecedented challenges at work while managing sudden and traumatic changes in daily and family lives. Therefore, we are implementing temporary benefits and pay programs to assist them in caring for themselves and their families.
These temporary COVID-19-related benefits were developed in consultation with labor leaders and will be available to physicians and employees actively working in patient care environments. Part-time employees and per diem employees who work at least 20 hours per week are also eligible. Benefits include:
Additional paid time off if you need to be away from work because you have tested positive for COVID-19
Childcare grants for your school-age children or dependent disabled adult children while you are at work.
Short-term housing near our medical centers and specialty hubs for certain situations.
For details, eligibility, and other information visit My HR[17] or Here4You. Physicians will access these benefits through Permanente Human Resources Shared Services.
“We’re all in this together” is so much more than a coronavirus rallying cry, as many people are proving through caring acts and deeds. Nowhere is this more evident than in the donations that members of our community have made to Kaiser Permanente Southern California patients, physicians, and employees.
“These humbling, inspiring demonstrations of care truly motivate our people during this extraordinarily demanding time. Grateful just isn’t a strong enough word,” said John Yamamoto, VP, community health, government relations, and community engagement, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Health Plan and Hospitals. Examples include:
Masks from our SEIU UHW labor partners, who are also working with their business partners to switch their manufacturing to produce critical PPE.
3D printed face shields donated by a robotics team in San Diego and a computer science teacher in Garden Grove.
Hundreds of iPads donated to hospitals including Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center and other hospitals by EdoATM Gazelle, enabling socially-distanced patients and loved ones to communicate.
Heartwarming children’s hand-drawn artworks — life-affirming cards of gratitude and hero recognition delivered to parent and others at KP facilities.
Pizzas! Donuts! Cappuccinos! And delicious healthy meals and snacks donated to the hard-working people at KP medical centers throughout Southern California.
Sure, you miss the camaraderie. But what about the keyboard taps, footsteps, phones, and your whistling, chip-crunching neighbor? Believe it or not, those familiar sounds can be comforting (and for some, even increase productivity. If broken mufflers, barking dogs, and leaf blowers aren’t doing it, there’s an app for that. Check out I Miss the Office[21], and relax. Or don’t. Think this is interesting? Thank KP’s Hatch Group[22] for the tip. This in-house team of researchers, strategists, creators, builders and dreamers are helping Kaiser Permanente prepare for our future.
New resources for people who are living with or caring for someone with COVID-19. Available in English and Spanish in the Resources section of FYI[24].
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Labor Management Partnership sets tone to fight COVID-19
Frontline workers say years of working collaboratively with managers as part of the Labor Management Partnership has better prepared them to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The Partnership has saved money, improved care, and led to better service – and now will literally be saving lives because we are working together. Read the story.[26]
News Flash: watch a 46 year-old woman blow out her birthday candles! If you think that’s not so special, consider that she had just been released from KP Irvine Medical Center…after being sedated and on a ventilator for 11 days during treatment for COVID-19. More about her remarkable recovery and triumphant departure from the hospital here.[28]
Here4You is a new, free resource to help connect all Kaiser Permanente employees with support and other vital information during the COVID-19 crisis. Here4You[29] can help you access services for childcare, financial assistance, mental health and wellness, hotel accommodations, and our Employee Assistance Program[30]. Operators can also answer questions about the new enhanced benefits[31].
Here4You representatives are available daily from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific time at 877-457-4772, option 7. You can also email Here4You@kp.org[32].
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