Greetings KSHE

My, what incredible times we are living in! I’m certain that the ONLY think top of mind for you now is the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on you, your loved ones, your work family, and our patients. Today we are being asked to think and act “out of the box” like we never have before. The Kentucky Society of Healthcare Engineers is one of the top ASHE chapters in the country, and we intend to lead and to support all of you during these trying times. At this writing, we are preparing a weekly webinar series to begin Thursday April 9th (check your inbox for information on how to register) to keep you informed and to answer your questions. We will work to give you timely answers that support your particular circumstances. Mike Canales, HFL Program Director & IHFEA Founder, will serve as moderator. Regular members of our weekly panel will be Dick Bartlett, KHA Emergency Preparedness/Trauma Coordinator, Ron Henley, Director of Engineering and Safety Officer Baptist Health Paducah, and myself. Guests will include infection preventionists from around the Commonwealth and others as the current situations demand. We will share information and ideas with each other, as well as offer encouragement. Here’s an example of a solution to the shortage of face shields that my maintenance crew developed:

The left side face shield is made by Medline and costs $2.58 per unit IF you can get them.
The right side face shield is made of ½ of a laminating pouch – run through the laminator, a backer foam sweatband, and ACE type bandage material. Cost to construct is approximately $0.90

One other item of note: At the present time, KSHE plans to move forward with our 2020 Healthcare Coalition Conference to be held September 29th through October 1st at the beautiful Owensboro Convention Center on the riverfront. We sincerely hope that you can join us. That being said, the safety of all attendees will be our focus. You can be assured that we will closely monitor all CDC and KY Department of Public Health recommendations and will inform you of any adjustments as quickly as we can. Nothing supersedes the containment of COVID-19. Look for early registration and sponsorship information to come out sometime in April.

In closing, I keep a plaque on my desk directly in front of my computer monitor that reads: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God” – Romans 8:28. Although many, many people were surprised by this pandemic, it didn’t surprise God. He is still on the throne and in charge. We can count on Him. We will come out of this.

Best wishes.

Joe Taylor
KSHE President

 

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