November 2, 2022

Many were shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic incident on Oct. 22 at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Any news of this kind is unsettling, but this one hits especially close to home as fellow Texans and health care workers. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by these unspeakable events.

Update on safety and security measures

Texas Children’s is investing in tools, processes and protocols across the system that will proactively address and inhibit threats like these, including.

  • Planned installation of a weapons detection overlay on our video surveillance system that will allow us to detect firearms and other weapons without the use of metal detectors.
  • Installation of bullet resistant film on windows and doors in high risk locations such as emergency centers, administrative offices, etc. Leaders may request a review of their areas if they feel they are high risk.
  • All TCH security officers are being trained in the specialized management and de-escalation of behavioral health incidents.
  • Security officers will be positioned on all first floor entrance locations at all hospital facilities. Urgent Care locations are currently staffed with an officer, as well as the Meyer and West Loop locations.
  • Placing 115 additional security personnel at The Woodlands, West Campus, TCPs, Specialty Care sites and The Medical Center. Recruitment begins this week.
  • Security Services will expand the city-wide Community Patrol model from four to eight active patrols consistently checking on sites and their occupants in Houston, as well as a single patrol in Austin.
  • Implemented mitigation strategies to increase employee safety and decrease vehicle theft on community campuses to include restricted parking garage access, required identification, license plate recognition and justification for being onsite.
  • Completed seven active shooter drills and 19 active shooter simulations since August 25, 2022 with additional drills and simulations scheduled between now and December 31, 2022.
  • Stood up a Threat of Violence Task Force to assess our progress, identify opportunities and understand the employee experience as it relates to safety.

These measures will help safeguard our team members, but everyone needs to play a role in safety and security. We need to continue to take care of each other. Everyone is empowered to listen to their intuition, trust their gut and use their voice when something doesn’t feel right. No one should worry about hurting each other’s feelings when it comes to watchful safety. Our desire to be nice can get in the way of being safe. If you see something, say something.

Safety tips
  • Opt in for emergency management communications delivered straight to your cell phone by texting the word “RESUME” to our SMS code “89361.”
  • Do not prop doors open or allow others to tailgate as you pass through a secured door.
  • Request to see credentials of unknown persons accessing restricted areas.
  • Be on the lookout for unusual behaviors.
  • Call a Security Services escort if you feel unsafe (ext. 4-5400).
  • Contact Security Services (ext. 4-5400) if you or others are being threatened by an aggressive or erratic individual.
Workplace violence training in HealthStream

The Security Services and Organizational Resilience teams have been conducting active shooter training across the organization to help prepare our employees in case we’re ever faced with those situations. Since in-person training cannot be attended by everyone, a new, workplace violence training course launched Oct. 31 in HealthStream to provide an overview on what workplace violence is, how to report it, as well as how to respond to those situations with de-escalation techniques.

Employee support resources

If you are struggling to cope with this event and need help, Texas Children’s Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and other services. Our new workforce chaplains are also available to talk if you need them. Please call them at 832-824-3327 or email Sarah “Tuba” Alpat: stalpat@texaschildrens.org or Cletus Aakol: ckaakol@texaschildrens.org.

Recently, our workforce chaplains hosted a webinar to introduce themselves and their services, to explain how spiritual well-being can help our workforce live as their best selves in their personal and professional lives. There are additional webinars available in the coming weeks.

  • “Spiritual Care Resilience” program, Thursday, November 17 at Noon.
  • “Grief During the Holidays” webinar, Wednesday, December 14 at Noon.
  • Six week “Grief Group” led by the Workforce Chaplains starting in January. Dates and times will be announced at a later date.
March 10, 2022

Be on the lookout, Texas Children’s team members – an executive could be visiting your area soon to hear directly from you about how to build on our culture of quality, safety and experience.

In February, an initial Culture Rounds pilot took place at the Medical Center Campus on 9 West Tower (WT). This pilot proved successful and generated a wealth of feedback that led to the expansion of Culture Rounds, now including additional units and departments across the organization. The second pilot will begin on March 16.

Culture rounding is an evidence-based best practice enabling leaders to more closely engage with our employees, patients and their families while cultivating relationships and driving the prioritization of quality, safety and experience. Executives want to gather your thoughts to identify and address opportunities for improvement.

Assistant Vice Presidents Tarra Kerr and Paige Schulz are leading the effort, which aligns with the goal to listen to and learn from our team members’ voices as we build Texas Children’s tomorrow, together. In an additional show of commitment, Texas Children’s is also designating 2-3 p.m. every Wednesday as protected time for culture rounding.

“Hearing what’s on the minds of our employees and our patients can only make Texas Children’s better, and that’s our main objective in making the Executive Culture Rounds,” said Kerr. “We’ve already been able to act on feedback received in our first pilot and we look forward to hearing more every week about what we can do to make Texas Children’s an even better place to work and receive care.”

For the pilot program at 9WT, four teams rounded on the unit weekly for a total of four weeks. Each team consisted of two executives and one scribe who partnered with our team members and patient families to make a positive impact on safety, quality and experience.

For the second pilot that starts this month, 16 teams will make rounds for a total of 12 weeks, ultimately covering 32 different areas. Each team will be assigned to visit 1-2 care locations for the duration of the pilot period, which will allow for relationships to form and provide an opportunity to actively track the resolution of any identified issues.

For more information on executive culture rounds and quality, safety and patient experience, contact Quality Specialist Kandice Bledsaw via e-mail.

September 2, 2021

With the Delta variant still very prevalent across our communities – and with cases of COVID-19 historically spiking immediately following a holiday weekend – we wanted to remind our employees how important it is you stay safe and protected this coming holiday weekend. We know how hard everyone is working and how much you deserve this holiday. At the same time, we urge you to keep these safe practices in mind at all times. Let’s all be part of the solution to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Safety 24/7
  • Stay home as much as possible. The CDC is urging Americans not to travel, especially if they are unvaccinated. Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Also, if anyone is experiencing coronavirus symptoms they should stay home, even if vaccinated.
  • Stay safe while traveling. If you do plan to travel over this holiday weekend, masking is recommended. You may also consider checking local and state requirements for quarantining or masking, as well as guidance from airlines and airports.
  • Mask everywhere. Even if you’re fully vaccinated, you should continue to mask everywhere and change out your masks frequently as they become less effective when dirty or wet.
  • Practice hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. If traveling, pack extra bottles of hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes in the event frequent washing is not an option.
  • Plan outdoor gatherings. There is lower risk of transmission when socializing outdoors. If you plan to spend time with family and friends, outside activities are a safer option. If you cannot adequately social distance outdoors, wearing a mask is recommended.
  • Avoid large public gatherings. While there are likely to be celebrations or parties happening during the holiday weekend, at this time we do not recommend gathering in large crowds.
August 23, 2021

We’re at a critical stage in this fight against COVID-19 where everyone’s actions matter, regardless of vaccination status. As we respond to this latest surge, we need to work together and hold each other accountable for practicing safety 24/7.

  • Wear eye protection while in our clinical areas

During this latest surge, proper eye protection (goggles and face shields) is required in our clinical areas, including all in-patient, EC, WAC, peri-operative care and ambulatory environments. The most effective goggles are appropriately fitted, indirectly-vented with a manufacturer’s anti-fog coating. A face shield should have crown and chin protection and wrap around the face to the point of the ear.

  • Mask everywhere and not just at work

At Texas Children’s, universal masking is required, regardless of vaccination status. This practice should not be reserved just for work. We need to mask everywhere, all the time, including the grocery store, social gatherings and any public events (although attending large-scale events is not recommended at this time). Masking remains one of the most effective ways to limit the spread of COVID-19, particularly in the community, where infections continue to rise rapidly.

  • Delta variant and vaccination

It’s more critical than ever to protect ourselves and others. The Pfizer vaccine is now fully approved for individuals 16 years of age and above, which should bring both comfort and confidence to those still needing to be vaccinated. Vaccines protect individuals against consequences due to infection with the Delta variant. The Delta variant is highly contagious and readily transmissible among those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated. With few exceptions, vaccines are highly protective against serious illness/hospitalization and reduce the risk of transmission. Recently, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended allowing an additional dose for immunocompromised individuals, which we are administering to those who meet the guidance.

August 19, 2021

As we continue to battle through this latest wave of COVID-19, we’re reminding all Texas Children’s team members to excel at our safe practices while at work, at home and in public.

Texas Children’s remains among the safest places to work – even with a surge of positive cases in our communities – because of the precautions we’ve put in place, including universal masking, hand hygiene, daily screening and maintaining (and growing) our high vaccination rate. Although this has proven successful for us throughout the pandemic, we’re counting on you to remain diligent and to practice safety 24/7, at work and at home.

Safety 24/7
  • Continue to mask everywhere. At Texas Children’s, masking is required in both patient and non-patient care areas, regardless of vaccination status. This includes wearing a mask from the time you leave your personal mode of transportation to when you return. In addition, it is highly recommended you always wear a mask while in public, as it remains an effective way to limit the spread of COVID-19.
  • Be safe on shuttles and elevators. Capacity limits for our shuttles and elevators are continuously evaluated to ensure safe operations. Please do your part by avoiding overcrowding in these areas. For elevators, this typically means no more than 4-6 individuals at any given time. On shuttles, please do not stand in the aisles. If a shuttle is ever at capacity, please wait for another so you can be seated. If you tend to ride the shuttle during peak hours, please consider arriving slightly earlier to ensure safe transportation. Regardless of vaccination status, wearing a mask throughout your shuttle trip is required. As an additional safety precaution, please do not eat or drink while riding the shuttle to ensure your mask is worn at all times.
  • Get vaccinated. Texas Children’s now requires all workforce members to get vaccinated against COVID-19, or have an approved exemption, with the first dose required by Sept. 21. If you have not done so already, please get this highly effective protection against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
  • Practice hand hygiene. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Please also use the hand sanitizers present at all hospital campuses and care locations.
  • Report any symptoms of COVID-19, or any exposures to a COVID positive person in which appropriate PPE was not utilized, to Employee Health – even if you have already been vaccinated.
July 7, 2021

Over the July Fourth holiday weekend, a ransomware attack hit as many as 1,500 businesses across the globe, with hackers demanding $70 million.

Now more than ever, it’s imperative that the Texas Children’s community be informed about ransomware attacks. Knowing how they can impact Texas Children’s and what you can do to help is the first step in awareness.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware locks a computer system to prevent the owner or organization from accessing data until they pay a ransom. Although there are different ways ransomware can enter a network environment, the most common threat comes from fraudulent email, when an employee may be deceived into clicking a link or opening an attachment that then transmits ransomware into an organization.

What do we know about this latest ransomware attack?

REvil, a Russian-language group, is demanding $70 million after it targeted information technology company Kaseya and 15,000+ customers. It’s the biggest ransomware attack on record and is just one of several attacks that have impacted businesses and health care providers across the globe.

What’s being done to prevent ransomware attacks at Texas Children’s?

Texas Children’s has multiple security systems in place to protect our systems against malware, including continuous monitoring of our network. Employees, though, are on the frontlines of protecting our systems, and it is important that they take steps to prevent dangerous ransomware from impacting our network.

What can you do to help?

Heighten your awareness of external emails from unknown senders, and carefully consider before clicking on website links and opening email attachments, especially links to file-sharing sites like Google Drive. To do that, please follow these steps:

  1. Look for the yellow bar. Every email that originates from outside Texas Children’s network is tagged with a yellow bar at the top of the message. If you see this yellow bar, do not click any links or open any attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
  2. Pay close attention to who the message is coming from. Look carefully at the sender’s email address. If it is one you do not recognize, or looks suspicious, do not engage with the message.
  3. Spelling and grammatical errors. These are telltale signs of a phishing scam. Treat these messages as a threat to our network and delete them immediately.
  4. Be cautious of links. If you are being engaged to click a link, take a moment to hover your mouse over the link to see where you will be directed upon clicking. Simply put: if the link is not legit, do not click.
What do I do if I receive a suspicious email?

If you receive a suspicious message, refrain from opening it or any attachments, and do not click any links. Simply delete the message from your inbox and notify IS Security by emailing isservicedesk@texaschildrens.org.

If you have any questions about information security or phishing, please call the IS Service Desk at 832-824-3512.

How do I sign up for emergency alerts through Everbridge?

In the event that Texas Children’s is impacted by a ransomware attack, our IS team may be required to shut down all or parts of our network, including email. Should this happen, Everbridge emergency text messaging would serve as a primary means of communicating with our workforce.

If you are not currently receiving emergency text communications from Everbridge, please sign up for alerts by following the instructions below:

  • For TCH employees: Add your mobile phone number to your profile in MOLI to begin receiving these messages. Upon logging in to MOLI, simply click on “Personal Information” and then “Phone Numbers.” From there, you will see an area to add your mobile phone.
  • For BCM employees: To opt-in for emergency text messages, please click here and then log in with your username and password. From there, you will be prompted to submit a mobile phone number.
June 2, 2021

In collaboration with our community partners, Juanna Brandon introduces us to the SPLASH program that focuses on creating layers of protection to keep children safe while in the water. Read more