Page 25 - SFHN JUNE 2020 FLIP BOOK

Disaster ... Hurricane Preparedness ... Emergency Medicine ... Disaster... Hurricane Prep

Broward Health’s T rauma and Emergency Services

Equipped to Protect Patients

Joann Franklin Chivone Hylton
As Broward Health and other health systems continue to adjust to the new normal cre-
ated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been changes to Broward Health’s designat-
ed Level I and Level II trauma centers and Emergency Departments. The addition of
enhanced safety measures for the protection of patients and caregivers have been imple-
mented system wide to care for trauma and emergency patients transported to the health-
care system that serves the northern two-thirds of Broward County .
“We can say the world stopped, but traumatic injuries didn’t stop, which reinforces
why we need all these resources here all the time,” said Jessica Holmes, R.N., regional
director of trauma services at Broward Health. While much of our community’s business-
es were paused, “we were still here providing the highest level of medical care.”
One lasting change at Broward Health’s trauma centers is that every trauma patient is
screened and tested for COVID-19 without delaying treatment. In addition, the trauma
physician and nurse team treating the patient proactively wear specialized personal pro-
tective equipment. Patients also quickly receive the specialized care they needed, dis-
tanced from other patients.
“The times have changed, and precautionary measures are in place to further protect
and comfort all patients visiting the Emergency Department,” said Broward Health
North’s Emergency Department Regional Director Joann Franklin, R,N.
Hand sanitizer is available for all patients, temperature checks are completed –
whether a patient is sick or not – and waiting room chairs are separated by six feet to
allow for social distancing. Environmental Services cleans chairs as patients are called Allison Vandever, R.N., nurse manager in Broward Health Coral Springs’ Emergency
back into a patient room for care, and electrostatic cleaning is used in all patient rooms Department, agreed. “The community should feel safe coming to the ER because post-
and common areas throughout the hospital. poning a visit can bring about a negative impact on their health outcomes,” she said.
“We’ve never faltered throughout this pandemic,” said Chivone Hylton, R.N., nurse “Like all locations throughout our system, Broward Health Coral Springs is taking extra
manager of emergency services at Broward Health Imperial Point. “The measures that actions to mitigate infection through electrostatic cleanings and universal masking of all
have been put in place help ensure the safety of our patients and caregivers, but also patients who enter the Emergency Department.”
mean that we can continue serving our community .” Although the future of COVID-19 is unclear, one thing remains certain: “Broward
“It is important and safe to come to the Emergency Department so you can receive Health’s trauma centers will continue to meet the rigorous standards that the state of
quality care quickly to improve your health,” Franklin said. “The more quickly you get Florida requires for its Level I adult and pediatric and Level II trauma centers,” said
in, the better it is for you. You don’t need to fear coming into the ER. It’s time to come in Holmes. “In addition, Broward Health will continue to implement guidelines set by the
to get treated.”
Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

Florida Power & Light Company Prepares

for the 2020 Hurricane Season

One thing that won’t be delayed or canceled by the global coronavirus pandemic: than 28,000, including utility workers from 30 states and Canada. Given the cur-
hurricane season, which begins June 1. rent travel restrictions and guidance from health officials, it is unlikely FPL can put
Florida Power & Light Company always prepares for hurricane season and urges together a restoration workforce of that size.
its customers to do the same. This year, preparation is more important than ever That’s why FPL is asking customers for their patience if severe weather strikes
as hurricane season arrives amid the COVID-19 pandemic. during the pandemic. FPL ’s commitment to work around the clock to restore every-
Since the early days of the crisis, FPL has implemented a robust pandemic plan one’s power will not change, but it could take longer to do so under these extraor-
that has allowed it to continue to safely deliver the reliable, affordable energy its dinary and unprecedented circumstances.
customers expect. Residents and businesses should begin planning now. Customers’ hurricane
As hurricane season approaches, FPL has factored COVID-19 into its planning plans, like FPL ’s, should consider the current pandemic and anticipate that a direct
– for instance, adjusting the layout of staging sites with large numbers of restora- strike by a major hurricane could damage the energy grid, causing residents and
tion workers to account for social distancing, limiting interaction and adding more businesses to be without power for an extended period.
micro-staging sites. For tips and checklists on everything from essential supplies to generator safety,
FPL trains its employees to respond safely and as quickly as possible if a hurri- go to FPL.com/storm.
cane threatens its 35-county service area. Throughout the year, FPL invests to Stay connected with FPL during hurricane season
make the power grid stronger, smarter and more storm-resilient to help prevent • FPL.com/storm
outages and get the lights on faster if outages occur. • Twitter: @insideFPL
FPL works closely with local emergency officials and secures agreements with • Facebook.com/FPLconnect
out-of-state utilities, contractors and suppliers to amass the workforce, material • FPL Power Tracker: FPL.com/powertracker
and equipment needed to respond to a hurricane. • FPL App: Download from the App Store or Google Play, or text the word “App”
For Hurricane Irma in 2017, FPL assembled a restoration workforce of more to MyFPL (69375)

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