Direct Line from Steve Edwards: 9/24/21

Sept. 24, 2021

COVID-19 update

Thankfully, our number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients continued to decline this week: We are currently at around 85 patients across our system with the virus. This is still very high, but so much less than we were seeing just a few weeks ago.

Our focus continues to be on vaccination. As we move towards the deadline for our employees to be vaccinated or apply for exemption, we are encouraged by data from other hospitals where deadlines have already passed. Very few employees at many facilities ultimately left because of the mandate.

We are paying close attention to developments at the federal level regarding third doses for certain additional populations, and will share more information regarding when and how these doses may be obtained when all recommendations are final.

We also encourage everyone to continue their other health care needs. Given the lower COVID volume, now is the time to act on routine screenings and elective procedures in case COVID numbers go back up.

Medical Assistant apprenticeship program

On Monday, we begin accepting applications for the next cohort of our Medical Assistant apprenticeship program. This initiative, held in connection with OTC, gives participants a salary while they attend classes, and the chance at a job after graduation. In case you would like to share this with someone you know, here is more information. These employees provide an incredibly valuable service to our organization, and we look forward to welcoming and training more of them in the coming months.

Community Health Needs Assessment

We are again working with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department and other local partners for our next Community Health Needs Assessment. This effort helps show where our regional strengths are with regard to health, as well as where there is room for improvement. To give info for this survey, please click here.

Cox Monett Live Well screenings

This weekend is our annual Live Well health screenings at Cox Monett, which offers subsidized testing for a variety of issues, including complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, cholesterol, TSH (thyroid) and more. Walk-ins are welcome; please click here for more info.

Voice of the patient

From patient feedback at Cox Medical Center Branson: “Considering what they are going through, the performance of the doctors and nurses was far above my expectations. I am pleased to say I would be glad to recommend them to anybody.”

Thank you for all you do,

Steve