3.24.20

I was wondering how long it would take before our unit would become the next COVID unit. So far, we have a bunch- maybe five or six, in our entire hospital, which has over 1000 beds. Today, we found out that one of sister units would turn into the next COVID unit. So, it was a crazy day, rapidly transferring patients from one unit to another.. this is what us, and most, if not all, hospitals across the country have been doing the last few weeks. Everyone. Is. Exhausted. And, it has only begun (I promise I’ll try to limit the amount of times I see thins like this, as well as “just the tip of the iceberg, but, to be honest, it’s kinda hard, because, like, its true). I mean, have you ever thought about what it takes to transfer an entire unit of patients? That means them, their belongings, notifying their loved ones (especially since visitors are currently prohibited from visiting the hospital), cleaning the rooms they leave, cleaning the rooms they are going to, calling for transport. It also means training your healthcare staff on their new protocol, nurses adjusting to a new environment with new surroundings, new supplies, ugh.. even new key codes. This is why nurses don’t like floating to other units, folks! Because it’s unfamiliar territory. 

This morning, I encouraged my manager to lead a daily morning huddle regarding updates on the latest COVID protocol and policy changes. I can read up on the latest COVID news on a local, national, and global level, and I try my best to stay up to date as our hospital addresses issue after issue, but it changes so often! It’s quite easy to miss at least a few details, such as, for example, who meets the criteria for COVID testing? Because, just under a week ago, the CDC had pretty strict criteria, having the person get tested only if they had confirmed contact with a positive patient...still, my request fell on deaf ears. A few hours later, on our immunocompromised unit, the place where my manager has said “it will affect us last,” our “untouchable” unit got some test results back- we had our first COVID+ patient. Surprise, surprise, it was only a matter of time- and this patient has a roommate. We have been asking for weeks, “why do patients that are pending test results for COVID have roommates when everyone is at super high risk as it is? Shouldn’t they be in a private room?” Again, our questions went unanswered. How many times do I have to say, LISTEN TO YOUR NURSES. I know it seems like we complain a lot, but trust me, it’s for good reason. We’re just trying to protect our people and advocate for what’s best for them.