07
Sep
02
Sep
New COVID-19 rapid test guidelines go into effect Sept. 3
Due to a nationwide shortage of COVID-19 rapid tests and increased community demand, Beacon will be prioritizing its use of the tests across the system beginning tomorrow, September 3. “In the last two weeks, for example, testing volumes at our MedPoint locations has increased 200 percent,” said Molly Kelly, RN, Director...
02
Sep
Beacon Health System recognizes commitment, increases entry-level pay
Beacon’s mission to ‘Deliver outstanding care, inspire health and connect with heart’ depends on every person in our organization being committed to the service to others. To ensure the fulfillment of our mission, Beacon is making changes over the coming weeks to some of our wage rates. We will start by...
01
Sep
Third dose of mRNA vaccine dose recommended for people with compromised immune systems
The CDC and the Indiana Department of Health now recommend that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely should receive an additional, third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial two doses. Beacon Medical Group patients who meet the criteria should contact their primary care physicians' office. The...
31
Aug
CHA ACO, LLC improves care for Medicare patients, saves Medicare $6.4 million
CHA Accountable Care Organization (ACO), LLC, operated by Beacon Health System, improved care for nearly 12,300 Medicare beneficiaries in Indiana and southwest Michigan in 2020, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. As part of the Medicare Shared Savings Program, accountable care organizations that meet quality and cost goals...
31
Aug
Beacon Community Impact addressing opioid crisis through NARCAN training, prevention efforts
Drug overdoses jumped by more than 30 percent nationwide last year, largely fueled by opioids. Opioids alone accounted for more than 69,000 deaths in 2020. Beacon Community Impact hopes to change that trend by training community members to administer Naloxone, also known as NARCAN. Developed by Indianapolis non-profit Overdose Lifeline, Layperson Naloxone...
27
Aug
Beacon nurse describes emotional toll of caring for COVID patients as pandemic rages on
In his own words: Ian Klein is a Registered Nurse who holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and works at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. “I want to describe what goes on in a medical worker’s life right now. These are all my own personal experiences.” Patient 1: Woman is...
25
Aug
Pediatric hospitalist cites concern about capacity to care for all children if COVID cases continue to climb
In her own words: Dr. Kate Dutkiewicz, Medical Director at Beacon Children's Hospital, explains how children with every illness and injury could be impacted by rising pediatric COVID cases. And what we can do to stop this from happening. Children need specialized nurses and doctors because they are not small adults....
20
Aug
Doctor describes unforgettable conversations, emotional last goodbyes of COVID patients in ICU
Dr. Luke White, a Beacon Medical Group critical care and pulmonary specialist who works in the Memorial and Elkhart General critical care and intensive care units, describes the emotional challenges physicians face during the pandemic. Part of my work as an intensivist is performing the brain death exam, which we do...
20
Aug