Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1241832
April 27–June 15, 2020 The COVID-19 Pandemic C N O R O U N D T A B L E 2 0 2 0 nance team to give staff quiet, peaceful areas where they can decompress for a few minutes during high- stress periods of their shift. Gloria Sanchez-Rico, RN, BSN, MBA, NEA-BC Chief Nursing Officer/ Senior Vice President Huntington Hospital Our priority during this crisis has been the health and well- being of caregivers and sup- port staff. We offer free local lodging, onsite showers and scrubs to everyone working in the ED and COVID-19 units. We are also focused on the mental health of our staff, offering daily mental health resources, three weekly virtual counseling sessions and respite rooms where staff can step away for a moment of peace dur- ing their breaks. Our chaplains also round with a tea cart to provide face-to-face support and an opportunity for caregivers to share or have a tea break. I round during shift change to show appreciation and con- nect with our staff. It's a chal- lenging time, but we are get- ting through it all together. Linda Sarna, RN, Ph.D., FAAN Dean / Professor / Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Chair UCLA School of Nursing I have been working with my fellow deans at the University of California and across the nation to push for temporary regulatory changes to expe- dite graduation for our nurs- ing students during this time of crisis — including the use of simulation, which is sup- ported by evidence. Current simulation is very sophisticated. It mimics the reality of clinical experience and gets students ready for practice. Lauren Spilsbury, RN, MSN, Vice President, Patient Care Services Redlands Community Hospital Our nursing leaders are actively rounding on all units to ensure that safe practices are being followed, offering support and guidance, and making sure adequate person- al protective equipment is available to protect the safety and health of staff and their families. We have also expanded the number of negative pressure rooms sevenfold, and each unit caring for COVID-19 patients has a "PPE buddy" to assist in appropriate isolation procedures and proper don- ning and doffing of PPE. Because every army func- tions better with good food, we also have a team working with the community to pro- vide healthy snacks and meals for the departments on a rotating basis. I don't use the word "army" in jest. We are an army, fighting this disease with all our might. I am awed by how our nursing staff has risen to the challenge; they are prepared, strong and ready to fight! Irena Zuanic, RN, MSN, NEA-BC VP / Chief Nursing Officer PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital In these times of crisis, it is very important to enhance communication with the staff. For instance, we have created a repository of the ever- changing COVID-19 informa- tion, and we send daily emails from our command center with critical updates. Leadership rounding is essential to communicating with our team in real time to answer questions and — most importantly — thank the staff for their commit- ment to our patients and community. I am continuous- ly impressed by the level of compassion and care that our staff is providing to all of our patients, especially those affected by COVID-19. WN