Page 11 - KMAland Healthcare Heroes

KMAland 2021 A Salute to KMAland Healthcare Heroes 11

patient would develop ill COVID patients. We contact with the unsus- ments. They truly came
symptoms and test posi- started partnering with the pected patient. They had together and ensured that
tive. How many times city hospitals and found to quarantine at home for every patient was cared
had I been in that room? ways to take on some of 14 days if their child or for.
What other patients had their stable patients so their spouse tested posi- Not only did we deal
now been exposed? Did I they would have room for tive. They were out just with our own fears and
bring it home to my fam- the critically ill. as long if they tested uncertainties, but the
ily? We saw many patients We worked through positive themselves. They public also expected
both young and old, who countless medication worked late, they came in us to have the answers.
were sick, some requiring and supply shortages and for extra shifts working They were terrified for
intubation, and some who substitutions. We waited 4, 5, sometimes even 6 their loved ones when we
would lose their lives. months for additional twelve-hour shifts a week. tested them for COVID.
Working on MedSurg equipment like IV pumps The fear and uncertainty They were upset with
or ER means that our and vitals machines to of the unknown haunted visitor policies and mask
doors never close and we arrive. Our community us every day and it could requirements. We fielded
have to staff our depart- stepped in and took care have broken the spirit of endless phone calls asking
ments 24 hours a day. We of us. Companies were many healthcare work- for advice and wanting to
made game plans. What donating N95 masks, ers. Recommendations be tested and felt their
do we do if this infects our they sewed washable from the CDC and the frustration when we told
staff? What would happen gowns, and citizens were Governor changed fre- them we were not routine-
if our number of patients spending their quaran- quently, sometimes daily. ly testing the public. We
exceeded our beds? Did tine making cloth masks. Mask recommendations shared their frustration in
we have the room, equip- Businesses brought us changed, gathering restric- the turnaround time of the
ment, or the staff to handle food, others made ear sav- tions changed, testing cri- tests that we did perform.
if we became inundated ers for our masks, and the teria and treatment stan- In the beginning, it was
with patients? There were public even gathered out- dards changed, schools not uncommon to wait at
several moments in the side the facility in prayer. and events were canceled. least a week for results
last year in which finding Staffing is always a con- Through it all, our staff and I can think of a few
placement for our critical cern, but in the case of persevered. If anything times it took two weeks!
patients in larger facili- a pandemic it is critical. good came from this year, The addition of our Test
ties was next to impossible Staff were constantly self- it was the opportunity to Iowa site helped us to put
as the city hospitals were monitoring their symp- witness the teamwork and the community at ease as
overrun with critically toms after coming into support within our depart- we offered mass testing