Freeman in a Flash for March 2022

Freeman is bringing telemedicine into Joplin Schools, beginning with McKinley Elementary. This telemedicine program will deploy 17 units with medical-grade equipment in each school over the next year, benefitting 8,700 students and staff in the Joplin school district, as well as their families.

“Freeman’s school telemedicine program provides access to a healthcare provider directly from the school nurse’s office,” said Renee Denton, Freeman Neosho Hospital Chief Operating Officer. “The program supports parents, students and school staff by offering an appointment with a medical provider, so students don’t have to leave the school building and parents don’t have to leave work.”

Freeman also offers telemedicine programs in Diamond, East Newton, Neosho, Seneca and West View school districts.

Learn more about this program here.

Pre-Approved After Hours Drug Screen Protocol Expedites Patient Care

Freeman OccuMed partners with Freeman Urgent Care and ER to provide 24/7 substance abuse testing. All drug and alcohol tests require employer authorization. No tests are administered without prior authorization. You can provide authorization two ways:

1. Establish a pre-approved substance abuse test protocol to keep on file.
2. Submit an authorization form with each patient.

The default drug test at Freeman Urgent Care and ER is a lab-based oral drug and alcohol swab. It’s important to review your company policy to include saliva testing and to review your workers’ compensation insurance policy to determine if drug testing is a covered benefit.

To see the pre-approved after hours protocol, click here. To download the after hours authorization form, click here. And for a copy of the after hours drug testing flyer, click here.

New Printable Resources for Lung Health

Small changes can have a big impact on the respiratory health of your employees (and on your company’s healthcare costs)! Check out these great resources about common workplace lung irritants and the amazing ways our bodies recover after smoking cessation. Feel free to share these electronically or print and post for employee areas.

For a printable version of a poster about lung damage poster, click here. For a poster with an overview of workplace lung irritants, click here.

Free OSHA-Style Audit Prevents Costly Penalties

Missouri small businesses can make their worksites safer by taking advantage of the Missouri Division of Labor Standards’ Onsite Safety & Health Consultation program. This free service provides businesses with less than 250 employees onsite (or less than 500 nationwide) a mock OSHA inspection to identify potential hazards without the risk of penalty.

• There are no fines or penalties assessed as a result of the visit.
• The confidential audit results do not trigger a formal OSHA inspection.
• The employer sets the scope of the visit, from a specific area to the entire worksite.
• The employer’s only obligation is to correct any identified hazards.

All industries are welcome, but high-hazard industries are given scheduling priority. Apply here and view free training opportunities here.

Five Steps to Get the Most from After Hours Drug & Alcohol Testing

Accidents rarely happen at a convenient time. That’s why Freeman OccuMed partners with Freeman Urgent Care and ER to provide 24/7 substance abuse testing. Here are our top five tips for getting the most from your after hours drug screen:

1. Understand differences in test capability during normal business hours versus after hours.
2. Always provide authorization. No testing will be provided without authorization. You can provide authorization two ways: (1) Individual patient authorization using your company’s form or download ours here. Or (2) set up a pre-approved after hours drug screen protocol on file with OccuMed. Call OccuMed at 417.347.3083 or complete this form.
3. Update your after hours contact.
4. Learn the benefits of lab-based saliva testing (the default drug screen at Urgent Care & ER).
5. Verify if your work comp insurance covers substance abuse testing.

See our full guide to after hours testing here.

March O’ the Kidney

The annual March O’ the Kidney walk raises awareness and funds for those suffering from kidney disease, a life-threatening condition that affects millions of people. All funds raised will be used locally for direct patient assistance.

The event will be held on Saturday, March 12 at 8:00 am in Northpark Mall. Register here.

Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism

Join us for the annual Freeman 5K and Walk for Autism! Superhero costumes encouraged. All proceeds benefit program development and scholarship assistance at Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism.

This event will take place on Saturday, April 24 at 8:00 am at the Center for Autism. Sign up here.

The Freeman Caregiver Support Group will meet on Thursday, January 20 at 10:30 am in the Freeman East Conference Rooms.

Join fellow caregivers for this support group meeting to gain advice on what lies ahead, make new friends and learn how to better take care of family members. Door prizes will be given out.

RSVP to Kathy Mason at 417.347.8463 or kdmason@freemanhealth.com. To see the full list of upcoming events offered by Freeman, click here.

Want to Stay in the Loop?

Subscribe to Freeman in a Flash and the newsletter will be shared with you each month via email. Sign up today!