August 16, 2022

Having a good sleep routine is important for staying healthy and performing well in school and at work. A number of studies have shown a connection between sleep deprivation and experiencing health issues including a greater risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and depression; disorders or behaviors including hyperactivity, irritability and impulsivity; and a disruption in the skills needed for learning: attention, concentration, memory, problem-solving and decision-making. Let’s focus on our health by getting a healthy amount of sleep each night for ourselves and our families.

Determining the right amount of sleep

Part of ensuring exhaustion is not part of your day, is knowing the right amount of sleep you and your family may need. This can vary depending on age and individual needs. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends these ranges for how much sleep a person should get during a 24-hour period for ages:

  • 4-12 months – 12 to 16 hours (including naps)
  • 1-2 years – 11 to 14 hours (including naps)
  • 3-5 years – 10 to 13 hours (including naps)
  • 6-12 years – 9 to 12 hours
  • 3-18 years – 8 to 10 hours
  • 18-60 years – 7 or more hours
  • 61-64 years – 7 to 9 hours
  • 65+ years – 7 to 8 hours

The blog Children Need Sleep: The Effects of Too Few ZZZs also offers helpful information about the importance of making kids’ sleep a priority.

Getting back on track with healthy sleep schedules

For families with children, the days of staying up later and sleeping later are coming to a close as schools start back up in August. The best way to prepare your children for their back-to-school sleep schedule is by beginning the transition early – health professionals recommend ten days to two weeks out.

This goes for adults and anyone without children as well, as we can all get off track with our sleeping patterns in the summer and at other times in life. Everyone should revisit healthy sleep habits whenever needed throughout life.

Adopting healthy sleep habits

Recommendations to help with this transition begin with progressively waking up 15 minutes earlier each morning and preparing for bed 15 minutes earlier each evening until your children or you are back on track. Additional tips include:

Being consistent. Following a routine sleep schedule during the week and sticking to it through the weekend can help keep circadian rhythms (the body’s internal clock) regulated.

Maintaining a soothing bedtime routine. A bedtime routine will help signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. Establishing quiet time, reading a book, hearing a bedtime story, taking a warm bath or shower and other bedtime activities can help you wind down, relax and prepare for bed.

Limiting screen time before bed. Studies show that the light from cell phone, tablet and laptop screens can confuse our bodies into thinking it’s still light outside, making it harder to fall asleep. Turning off the TV and other electronics an hour before bed and keeping mobile devices outside the bedroom will help avoid this issue.

Creating a calm sleep environment. A dark and quiet room, comfortable bed and room temperature (68 to 72 degrees) are the basics of an environment that is conducive to sleep. A white noise machine, calming music or fan can also be effective in soothing you and/or your kids to sleep by creating a consistent and rhythmic sound. Click here to explore white noise machines on amazon.

Establishing a caffeine cut-off time. Six hours prior to bedtime is the recommended time to stop consuming caffeinated beverages that can interrupt natural sleep patterns.

Avoiding big meals before bedtime. Oversized portions or spicy foods can cause discomfort from indigestion and make it hard to fall asleep.

Exercising after school or work. Physical activity in the afternoon can help ensure a good night’s sleep by tiring you out, although some people find it harder to sleep if they exercise too close to bedtime. You know yourself and your kids best – make sure to encourage exercise at the ideal time.

In addition to the importance of a routine wake up time and exercise, in their video 3 tips for kids to get better sleep, the Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding naptime, which can cause difficulty staying asleep during the night. For adults, experts suggest keeping a firm bedtime each night in the video Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips for better sleep.

Fun apps for winding down before bed

Along with the tips mentioned above, you might want to try an app to help with getting to sleep and establishing a good sleep routine.

Suggested apps for adults to encourage healthy sleep:

Apps for kids that others have found helpful include:
Bedtime stories and meditations: Sleep Meditation for Kids, Sleepiest or Moshi
Spotify playlists: Calm Kids, Stress Relief for Children or Sleepy Lullaby Songs

Remember, no matter what nighttime routine you plan, it is important that you are consistent so that everyone’s bodies and minds know that it is time for bed and they naturally start winding down.

Finding the right words just got easier. Learn about reducing stigma and negative stereotypes and advancing health equity by using inclusive and culturally sensitive language. Read More

Rose Leal shares her experience of joining TCH this year as one of the first graduate nurses for an outpatient clinic. Read More

August 10, 2022

Important updates have been made to our Kronos timekeeping tool to create a more secure environment, and the timeclocks, mobile and web applications are now available for use. Kronos functionality will remain the same for all timekeeping and attendance procedures.

Action Required

  1. Submit tracked time: Please provide the manually tracked time to your leader and/or timekeeper by Monday, Aug. 15. Your leader is responsible for entering the time. Staff and leaders, please review timecards prior to payroll Monday, Aug. 22 at 10 a.m.
  2. Approve pending PTO requests. Unapproved PTO requests submitted prior to Aug. 8 will need to be approved in the updated system. The link in the email notification received prior to Aug. 8 will no longer work, but the request will be available for review and approval directly in the system.
  3. Update server for mobile use: Please click here for log in instructions as you will need to update the server name to utilize the mobile application. Mobile users will be routed through Symantec VIP Multi-Factor Authentication to access the Kronos app.
  4. Log in/out of shared workstations: The updated desktop application will use Single Sign On to access the Texas Children’s network, so users will no longer be required to enter their user name and password. If you utilize a shared workstation, please log in and out of Kronos after utilizing the system.
  5. Use workstations if clock unavailable. A handful of time clocks are still being updated. If a clock has a Kronos sign attached to it, please enter time in the nearest workstation. Once updates are complete, the signage will be removed.
Support Resources

Ensuring our team members are compensated correctly for all their time worked continues to be a top priority for the organization. Resources are available to help team members.

  • For timekeeping and payroll questions: Timekeeping@texaschildrens.org.
  • For network and computer troubleshooting: IS Service Desk at Ext. 4-3512 (832-824-3512).

Since the launch of the Disney partnership in 2019, one of the most cherished and beloved elements of the program is having every member of our One Amazing Team adorn a beloved Disney character behind their ID badge.

The character badges offer the chance to create moments of comfort and inspiration for both patients and colleagues. You can use the badges to engage with patients on a friendly and fun level, putting them at ease or just putting a smile on their faces. They also encourage interaction and camaraderie amongst our team members. Take a moment to ask a colleague who their Disney character is and why they chose it. You can learn more about Disney and make a new connection with a colleague.

Every department director should have received a package with a variety of new character badges, bilingual instruction cards and a list of their direct reports. If you have not had the opportunity to choose your new badge, please connect with your leader to inquire about this enhancement to the program.

If you have any questions or have not received your package, please contact the Disney team at disney@texaschildrens.org.

The quality, safety and experience of our frontline and patients remain executive priorities. Culture rounds at the Medical Center are expanding to a total of 48 care areas, including the addition of 16 new outpatient units. A total of 16 executive teams will round on three care areas per month for a total of six months, and continue gaining insight and learning from our frontline, patients and families.

Additionally, West and Woodlands locations have fully implemented culture rounding at their respective campuses.

As a reminder, Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. are designated by Texas Children’s as protected time for culture rounds! We look forward to seeing everyone and ready once again to engage in meaningful conversation to continue improving the culture here at Texas Children’s!

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

August 4, 2022

This campaign will launch in a variety of places including:

  • TV beginning Friday, August 5
  • Radio beginning Friday, August 5
  • Print ads – currently in market
  • Digital online website and mobile phone banner ads – currently in market
  • Social media – currently in market

With messaging including, “we’re here for what’s ahead” and “delivering the care women need in the way they deserve,” the campaign assures women they should expect only the best care as they plan for their future, and they can find it at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women.

“Our hope with this campaign is to connect with women on an aspirational level as they prepare for the exciting milestones to come in their lives,” said Angela McPike, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Public Relations and Philanthropy. “We want them to know we’re with them every step of the way to ensure a healthy future.”

Watch this short video to view all of the campaign’s components developed by the Marketing team, in collaboration with leadership, to reach local audiences where they are watching, listening and reading.