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Are you using our new digital tools for managing your healthcare? Here’s what you need to know

Did you know we’ve introduced several new digital tools to make accessing and managing your healthcare services even more convenient? Here’s what’s new: Ballad Health MyChart: If you have yet to try MyChart, your online medical record, we encourage you to do so. You can access your medical information, message your healthcare team, manage your appointments and more! To get started with your MyChart account: Download the Ballad Health app. Open the app and select Create an Account. Android iOS Visit mychart.balladhealth.org and select Sign Up Today. Call 833-8-BALLAD to connect with one of our helpful associates. eCheck-in: Avoid the line! This feature allows you to save time by preregistering for your scheduled appointments. Before your appointment, Ballad Health MyChart will send you a text message or email indicating that your eCheck-in is ready. Text Messaging: Our new texting platform, Hello World, allows patients to receive text messages for upcoming appointments, make convenient payments and…

Message from the CEO: Significant new investment in nursing and nursing support

This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from Alan Levine, Ballad Health President and CEO. Dear Colleagues: As health systems throughout the nation continue to navigate the challenges of an historic shortage of nurses, Ballad Health has taken several important steps we believe will continue to help reduce the strain on our nursing staff. Make no mistake, we know that labor shortages are impacting several areas in addition to nursing, and steps have been taken, with some success, to mitigate the impact on our team. But nowhere is the national labor shortage more directly impacting patient care than in the nursing profession. The Council of State Boards of Nursing has predicted that from the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic through 2027, approximately 900,000 nurses will leave the profession.  Ignoring these predictions is not an option for us and we must continue to act. Steps we have already taken…

Ballad Health Medical Associates opens new urgent care, sports medicine clinic in Johnson City to increase patient convenience, expand access

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — As it continues to expand access to healthcare, Ballad Health Medical Associates cut the ribbon on a new facility at 161 Heart Drive, Johnson City, that will house both an urgent care and sports medicine clinic. The Ballad Health Medical Associates Sports Medicine clinic, located in Suite B, is now open, with an expanded footprint of sports medicine services within the region. The new clinic aims to support athletes and individuals of all ages in achieving their optimal physical well-being. Simultaneously, the Ballad Health Medical Associates Urgent Care has relocated from its previous location on Marketplace Boulevard, next to Northern Tool and the county clerk’s office, to 161 Heart Drive, Suite A. This strategic move ensures accessibility and timely healthcare services for the community. Investments in the new facility include: Quicker access to care: Having sports medicine and urgent care services located together means patients can experience faster access to the…

Cybersecurity tip: Got a suspicious email? Use the Phish Alert Report button in Outlook

Cybersecurity is crucial to protect our health system and our patients, and phishing attacks through email pose one of the biggest risks. What can you do, as a team member, to help prevent phishing attacks? You can correctly use the Phish Alert Report button located in your Outlook email. With just a couple of clicks, you can report potentially dangerous emails to our IT Security team, giving them the information they need to defend against the effects of malicious email attacks. If you haven’t used this button, please make it a regular part of your work routine. Anytime you see a potential phishing email, please report it to our IT Security team! Remember, as a team member, you are the last line of defense for Ballad Health against email-based criminal activity. Never click on a link or open an attachment in any unexpected or unsolicited email; don’t take the bait! Note: These mobile device instructions below apply…

Balladeers enjoyed some movie time in January!

The Balladeer Children’s Program had fun in January with Family Movie Day, and has a big lineup of activities for February! The Balladeer program, a free benefit for Ballad Health employees, is intended to strengthen family bonds and relationships among our Ballad Health family. Activities include visits to area attractions, picnics in local parks, holiday celebrations and activities, sports activities, discount tickets for attractions or events, treats, take-home projects and much more! Check out the updated Balladeer Children’s Program site on the Ballad Health intranet. If you’re interested in joining, see the information at the bottom of this article! January events Family Movie Days – The program hosted three movie days, taking place at Marquee Cinemas (Bristol) and AMC Theatres (Greeneville and Johnson City), and about 300 people attended. Families got free admission to a private showing of the film “Migration.” Two opportunities to do registration were provided — 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. — to accommodate…

Epic upgrade scheduled for Feb. 14; here’s what you need to know

Ballad Health will be doing an upgrade to our Epic electronic medical records (EMR) system on Wednesday, Feb. 14, starting at 12:01 a.m. Epic users will experience a scheduled Epic downtime of about two hours as the new August 2023 version of Epic is applied. About the downtime Epic will not be completely offline during the downtime window, but will be placed in a “read only” status, so information can’t be entered into Epic during this downtime period. Ballad Health IT will notify users when the downtime period has ended through an IT “All Clear” notification. NOTE: A system build freeze for non-emergent Epic changes will go into effect starting Wednesday, Feb. 7, at noon through Thursday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. About the upgrade Epic upgrades ensure our EMR is current with Epic’s newest version, which keeps our foundation system current on new features and functionalities. This latest upgrade will provide a host of…

We value your input! Complete our Community Member Survey today

Ballad Health is conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and needs the input of our team members! Every three years, Ballad Health collaborates with local health departments and community organizations to complete this CHNA process, which includes a Community Member Survey we want both the community and our team members to take. The survey will help us develop a better understanding about issues related to perceptions about our community, quality of life, availability of services, physical and mental health and more! Click here to take the survey. Our overarching goal is to make the Appalachian Highlands region a healthier place for everyone. The community survey is a powerful tool structured to allow us to hear directly from those we serve – which includes our team members. It is our hope that we’ll be able to identify and prioritize issues our community is facing and understand what is most important to them. About the Community…

Local students practice robotics, get taste of medical careers during Ballad Health da Vinci Robotics Symposium

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Local high school students were able to engage with the latest robotic surgery technology during Ballad Health’s first-ever da Vinci Robotics Symposium. The event featured presentations led by local surgeons who specialize in robotic surgery, offering attendees an in-depth overview of the leading-edge field of robotics-assisted surgery. The presentation also shed light on career opportunities within robotics and health science fields. Following the presentation, students participated in demonstrations with the da Vinci robots, getting first-hand use of the innovative technology used in surgical procedures. The interactive sessions gave the students immersive and personalized experiences, building on the foundational health science and technology curriculums in their schools.  “Engaging with students early on and providing them with hands-on experiences in robotics can be a pivotal factor in shaping their interest in health science fields,” said Dr. Stephanie Hart, a general surgeon with Ballad Health Medical Associates who provided the demonstrations. “These students have…

Local animal shelters, rescue groups to benefit from Marsh Regional Blood Center’s annual Pints for Paws blood drive

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.— Marsh Regional Blood Center is spreading the love to the region’s four-legged friends, with its annual Pints for Paws blood drive. From Feb. 5-9, anyone who donates blood or platelets at one of Marsh Regional’s three blood centers will have the opportunity to also support local animal shelters and rescue groups. For every blood donation collected, Marsh Regional will donate $10 to the donor’s shelter or other animal support group of choice. “Pints for Paws is one of our favorite drives of the year because it gives our donors a chance to not only support their community, but also the animals in our region who are also in need,” said Steffanie Sukel, director of Marsh Regional. “We know our donors have big hearts for animals, and this event is the perfect opportunity to spread the love to our local animal shelters and rescue groups.” For every blood donation collected, Marsh Regional will…

Important update on masking, contingency staffing

Effective Friday, Feb. 2, Ballad Health is easing its masking policy in clinical areas and is discontinuing contingency staffing. We’re able to take these steps due to the recent decrease in cases of respiratory illness – influenza, COVID and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus infection) – among both our patient population throughout the region and among our team members. Contingency staffing, which applies to team members with COVID, has been discontinued and we will return to normal staffing protocol. For reference, contingency staffing is implemented when increased clinical staffing needs are occurring or are expected due to increased absenteeism caused by staff illness. Masking will no longer be required for team members and care providers in patient care areas and clinical departments in acute-care and long-term care facilities.This covers our hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, home health and hospice, and Ballad Health Medical Associates (BHMA) locations. Team members may continue to mask if that is their…

Critical need for blood donations; Marsh Regional to hold blood drives at area organizations

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Marsh Regional Blood Center has issued an urgent plea for blood donations, particularly from donors with O-negative blood, which can be used for any patient. Blood donations are especially important during the winter months, due to blood drive and center cancellations from winter weather. However, the need for blood to treat illnesses and injuries does not slow down. “Blood supplies have decreased not just in this region, but nationwide, since the winter months,” said Steffanie Sukel, director of Marsh Regional. “Throughout the rest of the winter months, it will be especially crucial for people to give blood to keep up with demand and meet the needs of our region.”  Marsh Regional will conduct public community blood drives at the following locations: Thursday, Feb. 1, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., J.I Burton High School, Norton, Virginia Thursday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m.- 4p.m., Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, Virginia Thursday, Feb. 1, noon-6 p.m., Food City in…

Ballad Health partners with 410 Medical for rapid fluid delivery

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Ballad Health and the Ballad Health Innovation Center are partnering with 410 Medical, Inc. to use its LifeFlow device, a rapid fluid delivery mechanism that a rapid fluid delivery mechanism that reduces the time needed to revive a patient in need of blood or fluids. Designed to help overcome common barriers to fluid delivery, LifeFlow is an easy-to-use, portable device that rapidly and efficiently delivers fluids to patients with critical conditions such as sepsis, shock, trauma, cardiac arrest and severe hemorrhage. LifeFlow can deliver 1 liter of fluid or two units of blood in less than four minutes, while traditional methods can take three to 10 times longer. LifeFlow is an easy-to-use, portable device that rapidly and efficiently delivers fluids to patients with critical conditions such as sepsis, shock, trauma, cardiac arrest and severe hemorrhage. Ballad Health Innovation Center’s partnership with Durham, North Carolina-based 410 Medical, Inc. includes a pilot project…