Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1241832
Lori Burnell, RN, BSN, Ph.D., NEA-BC Sr. Vice President / Chief Nursing Officer Valley Presbyterian Hospital As a standalone community hospital, Valley Presbyterian must understand COVID-19 to effectively care for our patients and mitigate the imminent danger to our staff. To manage this crisis, we've opened a command center, and our executive team has met for six or more hours every day to proactive- ly address issues and effec- tively manage escalation fears. We are providing the personal protective equip- ment our nursing staff needs to safeguard our own health so that we can focus on our patients. Jennifer R. Castaldo, RN, BSN, MSHA, NEA-BC Vice President / CNO Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Two practices I've found are critically important during a crisis like this are consistent rounding to offer support and encouragement and ongoing training in isolation precau- tions and the proper use of personal protective equip- ment. In addition to classes, this includes daily rounds by our infection prevention staff, clinical educators, managers and directors. Our nurses are courageous and eager to serve. Being armed with the necessary knowledge allows them to focus on their impor- tant work. We've also taken a number of steps to help keep all our employees safe, including screening all employees as they come to work each day, implementing drive-through testing for COVID-19 to reduce staff exposure and converting units to cohort persons of interest and con- firmed COVID-19 patients. Derek Drake, RN, DNP, NE-BC, CNML, CNL Chief Nursing Officer St. Francis Medical Center Our organization has spent the last three months devel- oping and implementing com- prehensive COVID-19 strate- gies. However, I've found that I'm best able to support my team by making myself as available as possible and empowering them with as much knowledge as I can. I've ditched the suit and tie and reverted to scrubs. I round frequently to answer ques- tions, assist with clinical tasks, provide guidance on PPE or simply allow the staff to vent. We have created a daily dashboard to show our cur- rent COVID-19 statistics as well as an important message of the day. I've found that staff really appreciate the transparency of the data. Also, knowing that the quick- est way to nurses' hearts is through their stomachs, we have created a "Gratitude Cart" with snacks and treats. The entire executive team rounds with me weekly to thank our staff for their com- mitment and dedication. Katie Hughes, RN, MSN, CRRN Chief Nursing Officer Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare Early on in the pandemic, our hospital leadership recognized that the best way to help relieve the anxiety of the nurs- es and other clinical staff was to ensure they had the per- sonal protective equipment they needed. Procurement of adequate PPE supplies became our highest priority as an organization. The COVID-19 C N O R O U N D T A B L E 2 0 2 0 Q:: Most hospitals right now are preoccupied with the COVID-19 pandemic. As CNO, what's something you've been able to do to support your nursing team during this crisis? 44 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com April 27–June 15, 2020