Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 3, 2020

together on patients’ care. Usually contained to their separate units, this is the first time acute care and critical care teams are providing care on one medical unit. “Critical Care has always felt kind of like an island,” Debbie said. “Joining with the 3 East team has helped them all better understand what each unit does, and they’ve been able to come together as one team providing all levels of care for these patients and acting as a resource to help overcome challenges.” In navigating ever-changing protocols and long hours, Jennifer Collins, 3 East nurse manager, said the morale of staff understandably varies day-to-day. Overall, she continues to be impressed with their dedication to patients and the important work being done. Caring for eachother “We are all there for each other when we need it,” Jennifer said. “Up front we recognized the toll this might take on us mentally and emotionally and knew we’d all have bad days. Support from each other, the community and supporting departments has been incredibly helpful and appreciated.” Overall, one of the biggest challenges for staff has been figuring out ways for patients to connect with their loved ones and keep them informed about the patient’s care plan and status. Normally, hospital policy allows visitors and family members to come see patients, and family is often a crucial part of the care team. However, because COVID-19 is highly contagious, visitors are not allowed on the COVID-19 unit. Staff have used iPads, phones and text messages to communicate with family members and keep them connected to their loved ones in the hospital. “Not having family at the bedside has been incredibly difficult for both patients and staff,” Kim said, fighting back tears. “Families are usually our partners in care. Not being able to have them here while their loved one is severely ill is heartbreaking.” Another challenge facing staff has been the perpetual coverage and discussion of COVID-19 online and in the community. Before COVID-19, staff were able to care for patients while at work and then find respite at home. Now, many health care workers are finding it difficult to meet that need. “As critical care nurses, we’re used to caring for very sick patients and coping with situations that can be very distressing,” Katie Barbera, Critical Care nurse manager, said. “But with COVID-19, we’re unable to leave it at work like we normally try to do. When we go home or out in the community, we’re all still surrounded by it. It can create an extra layer of fatigue our staff isn’t used to.” “These people are changing health care right now,” Kim said. “It’s very honorable and courageous that they keep showing up every day to do this very difficult job. They have risen above every challenge, adapted to ongoing changes, and have created this sense of camaraderie that is holding them together. COVID-19 has required us to embrace a new level of collaboration, flexibility and adaptation, and I think our entire organization is stronger because of it.” —Continued from page 7 Nurse Kaydah Parker gathers supplies from 3 East’s supply room. Every staff member who enters Kootenai’s COVID-19 unit must wear appropriate protective equipment. Patient Joe Jarzabek was on the COVID-19 unit for over 30 days. He required critical-level care for the first five days. 8