Direct Line from Steve Edwards: 6/11/21

June 11, 2021

COVID-19 update

COVID-19 continues to evolve in ways we hoped wouldn’t happen. This week, we saw another increase in patients, rising to 56 this morning. This is around 20 more patients than this time last week, and six more than just yesterday. The ages of these patients continue to be younger, too. Tragically, we currently have patients who are hospitalized in their teens, 20s, 30s and 40s, which represent a much younger demographic than we have historically seen with this virus.

As ever, vaccination is crucial. We are hosting a walk-in clinic tomorrow in Springfield for anyone in the community who has yet to receive a vaccine. Click here for more info. If someone cannot make it to this clinic, they may also schedule an appointment for vaccination by calling 417-269-INFO.

Childhood vaccination events

In addition to COVID, it is important that other childhood vaccinations are not overlooked at this time. We are hosting a number of pop-up clinics for school-aged children on the CARE Mobile in June, details of which may be seen here. Vaccinations include DTaP and Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis); Polio; MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella); Varicella (Chickenpox); Meningitis; HPV (Human Papillomavirus); and Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.

In-person interview fair
We are hosting our first in-person hiring event in more than a year on June 17. This event focuses on filling positions with CoxHealth at Home, EVS and Food Services, as well as hiring nursing assistants. All of these roles are in areas that are crucial to the health system and our patients, and for which we are offering sign-on bonuses of $500.

Patient experience award

We celebrated with Cox Barton County Hospital this week on its Healthgrades 2021 Outstanding Patient Experience Award. This distinction places Cox Barton County in the top 15 percent of hospitals in the nation for patient experience. It also recognizes the hard work of the hospital’s employees, who continuously devote time and energy into making their patients’ experiences the best they can be.

The Meyer Center’s reopening

Just a reminder that The Meyer Center reopens to guests on Monday, June 14. Memberships may be made online, by phone (417-269-3282) or in-person. More info is available here. We are excited to have our members back!

Voice of the Patient

From feedback at Cox Monett: Every question I asked was answered instantly and the nurses kept checking on me, even when I went to get my CT scan. They wanted to make sure my every need was taken care of.”

Thank you for all you do,

Steve