A new Oregon requirement that goes into effect July 1 gives patients the right to have a trained medical chaperone present during any genital, rectal or breast examination.

The Oregon Medical Board rule was not implemented because of a particular incident, but as a result of the recommendation of a statewide group focused on sexual misconduct.

Here are some things to know about medical chaperones at St. Charles:

• Patients have always been able to ask for a chaperone during a sensitive clinical encounter, and St. Charles currently provides a chaperone upon request. The new rule simply requires Oregon health care providers to make the offer to patients.
• By law, a medical chaperone must be a licensed Oregon health care professional or a designated staff member who has completed a training course.
• The chaperone cannot be a friend or relative of the patient. However, the patient can request that a friend or relative be present.
• Adult patients (15+ years) may opt out of having a medical chaperone present.
• Patients under 15 years of age must have a medical chaperone present during sensitive exams or treatments, unless a parent/guardian/legal representative declines.
• A St. Charles physician, provider or caregiver may postpone a sensitive exam or treatment until a chaperone can be present.

For more information on the Oregon Medical Board Rule, visit stcharleshealthcare.org/chaperone.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cake (store-bought or homemade), cut into cubes
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 2 cups whipped cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the whipped cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined and set aside.
2. In a trifle dish or a large glass bowl, layer one-third of the pound cake cubes at the bottom.
3. Top the pound cake layer with a layer of sliced strawberries.
4. Add another layer of pound cake cubes on top of the strawberries.
5. Sprinkle a layer of blueberries over the pound cake cubes.
6. Spread one-third of the whipped cream mixture over the blueberries.
7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 for another layer.
8. Finish by adding a final layer of pound cake cubes, followed by the remaining whipped cream on top.
9. Garnish the trifle with additional strawberries and blueberries on the surface to create a patriotic pattern.
10. Refrigerate the trifle for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld together.
11. Serve chilled and enjoy!

If you’re a regular reader of this column, first of all: Thank you.

Launched six months before the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides a valued communication channel between St. Charles and the communities we serve. And I know it is valued because so many of you take the time to tell me. Thank you for that, too!

I enjoy having this space as a monthly opportunity to talk directly about the impact we make across Central Oregon and what’s happening organizationally – celebrations and challenges, innovations and improvements, exciting new services, inspirational patient stories and, of course, the caregivers, physicians and providers who make this place what it is.

There is so much going on at St. Charles, I want to make sure you’re connected with us in ways that best suit you and your lifestyle. Here are some options:

• Keep an eye on our website, which includes news updates, a calendar of classes and events, career and volunteer opportunities, and sections for the St. Charles Medical Group and St. Charles Foundation.
• Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter, which is filled with the latest stories about St. Charles.
• Follow us on your social media platform of choice:
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
• Watch our latest videos on YouTube, and consider subscribing so you never miss a new one. They’re great!

At St. Charles, it’s our vision to create America’s healthiest community, together. The key word there is “together” – we can’t do it without people like you.

Again, thank you for caring about what’s happening at St. Charles and about our impact to all we serve.

St. Charles awards $100K to Central Oregon nonprofits
Grants are part of St. Charles Health System’s community benefit program

Schools, food pantries, houseless service providers and health and wellness programs for first responders are among 16 nonprofits in the region that were recently awarded community benefit grants totaling $102,500 from St. Charles Health System. These local nonprofits are helping meet the critical needs of individuals and families, providing services that are working to prevent or end homelessness, break the cycle of food insecurity and advance inclusion, diversity, equity and acceptance work across Central Oregon.

Organizations receiving the largest grants during the first funding cycle include:

• Family Access Network (FAN), which received $10,000 for FAN advocate services;
• The Giving Plate, which received $10,000 for its hunger relief program;
• MountainView Community Development, which received $10,000 to increase the safety of their safe parking program
• Redmond Fire and Rescue, which received $9,000 to implement a mental health peer support program for their first responders
• 509-J Online School, which received $7,500 for its weekend food program

“I’d like to thank St. Charles for their generous support of our members. I think the award aligns the mission of St. Charles and Redmond Fire and Rescue very well, and so I really appreciate the award and collaboration from St. Charles,” said Redmond Fire and Rescue Chief Pat Dale.

As a nonprofit organization, St. Charles is dedicated to giving back to the Central Oregon community in many ways, including through community benefit grants. By collaborating with other nonprofits in the area, St. Charles aims to implement and support best-practice and evidence-based initiatives that address community needs and improve the overall health of the region.

“All of these organizations provide a great service and St. Charles is very proud to be able to provide support,” said Carlos Salcedo, St. Charles’ manager of community partnerships. “The 16 organizations we’re funding this cycle are truly meeting the needs of our community.”

To learn more about St. Charles’ community benefit program or apply for our next grant cycle, visit our Community Benefits page.

About St. Charles Health System

St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, La Pine and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, nonprofit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,500 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.

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Grand Rounds - June 23, 2023
"New Guidelines for Colon Cancer Screening & Management"

Speaker: Peter S. Buch, MD, AGAF, FACP. Associate Professor, University of Connecticut School of Medicine; University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Objectives

1. Examine the epidemiology and risk factors regarding colon cancer.
2. Diagnose and clinically stage colon cancer in the primary care setting.
3. Utilize chemotherapy drugs in the adjuvant and metastatic setting of colon cancer.
4. Apply new research and developments incolon cancer for screening and treatment.
5. Recognize the different clinical, socioeconomic, health literacy, language, and communication factors that impact patients from getting the care that is needed.

Accreditation: St. Charles Health System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. St. Charles Health System designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM.

The period to claim credit for this activity expires one year after its original publication. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Claim Credit

Target Audience: Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Allied Health Professionals

Accessibility/Program Questions: St. Charles Health System encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Continuing Medical Education at [email protected].

Oher CME or Clerkship questions: also contact Continuing Medical Education at [email protected].

Requesting Employment Verification

To improve the employment verification process and respond to these requests faster, we have partnered with Experian Verify to provide this service.

Effective June 2, 2023, all third-party requests for verification will be processed by Experian Verify www.experianverify.com. This includes employment verification letters and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness form. Please click on the link to be directed to their website. Caregivers may also access their own verification records by visiting the same website.

For questions on the Experian Verify process please review the documents linked below.

Verifier Instructions

PSLF Employee Portal Instructions

Access code needed is: 577DD2A6

Joint press release from St. Charles Health System and Oregon Nurses Association

BEND – Nurses at St. Charles Bend voted overwhelmingly to ratify and approve a 3.5-year contract with St. Charles Health System, according to results from the Oregon Nurses Association shared today. The vote secures a contract for the nearly 1,000 nurses through June 2026 at the Bend hospital.

“Today is a positive step forward, for St. Charles nurses and for the health system as a whole. We believe this contract will go far to secure the goal we share with our nurses – to recruit and retain more qualified RNs, which has been increasingly challenging during a nationwide nursing shortage,” said Iman Simmons, Chief Operations Officer for St. Charles Health System. “We are optimistic about the future of the health system and for our ability to move forward in partnership with the Bend ONA.”

“Nurses from St. Charles are so grateful to this community for their support,” said Erin Harrington, RN. “We love this community and are 100% committed to providing our neighbors and friends the world class health care they deserve. The nurses have voted and shown their strong support for this contract – a contract that moves us forward toward better recruitment and retention and improved working conditions.”

According to the ONA, the new contract makes nurses at St. Charles the highest paid in the state. Details of the contract include:

• July 2023: $5 per hour increase (this is in addition to a $5 per hour increase given in March of 2023)
• July 2024: 4% increase
• July 2025: 4% increase
• January 2026: 4% increase

The contract also includes adjustments to shift differentials.

About St. Charles Health System
St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, La Pine and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,500 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.

To subscribe to our monthly Community Newsletter, please hit the subscribe button below.

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You have the right to have a medical chaperone present during any sensitive exam or treatment.

Out of respect for you and your comfort, medical chaperones are available to be present when you are being seen by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

Adult patients (15+ years) may opt out of having a medical chaperone present.

Patients under 15 years of age must have a medical chaperone present during sensitive exams or treatments, unless a parent/guardian/legal representative declines. A parent/family member may not serve as a medical chaperone.

A treating professional may postpone a sensitive exam/treatment until a chaperone can be present.

A sensitive examination is a physical examination of an area of the body typically covered by an undergarment - genital, rectal or breast. However, you may request to have a medical chaperone present during any physical examination.

Learn more about the Oregon Medical Board Rule.

Usted tiene derecho a tener un acompañante médico presente durante cualquier examen o tratamiento delicado.

Por respeto a usted y su comodidad, los acompañantes médicos están disponibles para estar presentes cuando lo atiende un médico, un/una enfermero/a especialista o un asociado médico.

Los pacientes adultos (mayores de 15 años) pueden optar por no tener un acompañante médico presente.

Los pacientes menores de 15 años deben tener un acompañante médico presente durante los exámenes o tratamientos delicados, a menos que uno de los padres/tutor/representante legal se niegue. Un padre / madre / familiar no puede actuar como acompañante médico.

Un profesional médico tratante puede posponer un examen o un tratamiento delicado hasta que pueda estar presente un acompañante.

Un examen delicado es un examen físico de un área del cuerpo típicamente cubierta por una prenda interior: área genital, rectal o senos. Por lo tanto, puede solicitar la presencia de un acompañante medico durante cualquier examen físico.

Obtenga más información sobre la Regla de la Junta Médica de Oregón.

Pictured above from left: Dana Bennet, Elliot Coughlin, Erin Olsen and Marian Morris-Evrin

St. Charles celebrates extraordinary nursing with DAISY Awards

Four nurses from St. Charles Health System recently were honored DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nurses, recognizing the outstanding, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day.

The nurses, who represent all four St. Charles hospitals in Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville, were recognized with a ceremony on their respective units and presented with a certificate, a pin and a "healer's touch" sculpture by their hospital’s chief nursing officer. The honorees are:

• Dana Bennett, a behavioral health nurse in Bend, who is known for rising to meet every challenge and her ability to serve every patient with compassion, dignity and respect;
   
• Elliot Coughlin, a medical services nurse in Redmond, who was honored by the family of a former patient for Coughlin’s ability to be understanding, while giving respect and compassion to help retain the patient’s dignity;
   
• Marian Morris-Evrin, a case management nurse in Madras, who is known for her strong advocacy for patients in her care, community connections and her desire to work tirelessly to provide what’s best for patients; and
   
• Erin Olsen, a medical services nurse in Redmond, who was honored for her compassionate care, critical thinking skills and extraordinary clinical excellence.

About the DAISY Awards:

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation to express gratitude to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.

About St. Charles Health System

St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, Ore., owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Madras, Prineville and Redmond. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, La Pine and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,500 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with the health system to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.

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