Page 5 - October 2020 Ulupono

Flu vaccination
required to protect
our communities
A Message from President Kathy Raethel
At Adventist Health Castle, the health and well-being of our patients, associates and providers are of great importance as we live God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope. Many of our patients, friends
and community members have weakened immune systems, and this year we all face the added threat of COVID-19. Receiving an annual flu vaccine demonstrates our commitment to protect our communities. That’s why we are requiring all of our associates to receive a flu vaccination this year with limited exceptions.
WSAS awards Castle $130,000 grant
by Jesse Seibel, Director of Mission & Spiritual Care
Adventist Health Castle was instrumental in helping to establish the Windward Spouse Abuse Shelter (WSAS) for victims of domestic violence, and through the years Castle has remained a supportive community partner. This past spring, the Windward Spouse Abuse Shelter (WSAS) strengthened that partnership by awarding Adventist Health Castle a $130,000 grant to empower Castle associates to identify and respond compassionately to victims of domestic violence.
The grant was the outgrowth of discussions last year when the Windward Spouse Abuse
While it’s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believes it’s likely the flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading.
In this context, getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever as our community members are more vulnerable to illness
and our hospitals reach capacity during the flu season. A four-year study cited by the CDC showed flu vaccination among adults reduced the risk of being admitted to the hospital with flu by 37%.
To protect our communities, Adventist Health has revised our Influenza Immunization for Workforce policy to require vaccination with limited exceptions. Healthcare personnel, including all associates in any Adventist Health facility, contracted staff, medical staff, licensed independent practitioners, residents, students and volunteers 18 or older, are required to meet one of the following:
an administering provider. Deadline is
November 12, 2020.
3. Apply for an exemption for medical
contraindication or religious reasons.
Exemption forms are due by November 5, 2020.
All individuals subject to this policy who have not received vaccination or provided proof of a proper exemption by November 18, 2020, will be removed from the workplace and given a reasonable time, not to exceed ten (10) days, to be vaccinated or provide proof of valid exemption. Failure to do so within ten (10) days or by November 28, 2020, at midnight will be deemed a voluntary resignation.
Medical staff at all entities will have a concurrent medical staff process that will be addressed in a separate communication.
Anyone granted a medical or religious exemption who fails to wear a face covering/surgical mask over their mouth and nose in the facility during flu season will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
For questions about the flu vaccine, please contact employee health at ext. 5159. For information about compliance, please contact human performance.
them to better recognize and respond to abuse. The $130,000 grant is designated for these purposes.
Pictured from left: Hospital President Kathy Raethel and Jesse Seibel, accept a plaque from Catherine Sato, Windward Spouse Abuse Shelter, which will be placed in the Koa awards cabinet in the main hospital corridor.
1. Receive a flu vaccination offered by Adventist Health Employee Health by November 18, 2020.
2. Provide proof in writing (paper or electronic) that vaccination was received elsewhere. Acceptable forms of proof include physician note, a receipt containing vaccine information or a vaccination consent form signed by
Shelter (WSAS) approached Adventist Health Castle to discuss ways our associates could be part of an intentional response to domestic violence. Working with nursing leaders, chaplains, physicians and frontline staff, WSAS proposed that an account be established to provide tangible support
for domestic violence victims and provide ongoing training for staff that would allow
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