This is the start of our first full week with almost everyone working remote. Working from home is going to take some time for all of us to get used to. Despite the distractions that working from home can bring, we have a lot of work to do!

None of us can lose site of the fact that our customers are counting on us. The healthcare industry is facing significant challenges as COVID-19 spreads, and the hospitals and clinics we serve are doing everything they can to keep their patients healthy while also providing the life-saving services their patients require. As an extension of their teams, we have an obligation to provide efficient, high quality services to all those why rely on us.

To help all of us stay focused on the important jobs that we do, below are a few tips to keep you connected and productive.

Work-From-Home Tips and Tools

  1. Create a workspace – If possible, in a spare room or a low-traffic area, set up your home office with a table or desk, supportive chair, ample lighting, and essential supplies.
  2. Maintain a daily schedule – Get up and dressed, grab your mug of coffee, and start work at your scheduled work time each morning, just as you would if you were working in the office.
  3. Stay connected through technology – It’s easy to feel isolated when working remotely. “Meet” regularly with your manager and co-workers through phone calls and online meeting spaces like WebEx.
  4. Set workday rules – If you share your home with other people and/or pets, establish firm guidelines upfront to avoid frequent interruptions. Use the mute button on your phone to minimize background noise during work calls and online meetings.
  5. Easily distracted? – Keep the television or radio turned off. Remember to keep your cell phone tucked away to avoid distractions and/or potential PHI issues.
  6. Take occasional short 5- to 10-minute breaks – Go to the kitchen for a beverage or snack. Walk around the house or take the dog out. A change of scenery will refresh your mind and body.
  7. Avoid multitasking – Pretend you’re at the office. Don’t be tempted to tackle household chores or pay personal bills during work hours.
  8. Work hard, then rest – At the end of each workday, shut down your PC/laptop and work phone (unless required to be on-call after hours), tidy your workspace, and close the door. Tomorrow is a new day – be positive and have good intentions each day!

Please reach out to your manager or the help desk if you are having any technology oriented issues or concerns.  We have staff ready to help where needed to position you to be as productive in your home environment as you would be in the office.

Please do everything you can to keep yourselves and your family safe and keep us posted if you think there is anything you think we can help with.