The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. Each member of the ICU/Telemetry unit and Respiratory Therapy department united and the team’s ability to adapt and work collectively to meet head-on the challenges presented showed an unwavering commitment to each other, patients and families, OMC, and the community at large. We witnessed dedication, innovation, and willingness to help fight against a relentless viral enemy in the face of multiple fears – fear of the unknown, risks to themselves, and the thoughts of bringing the virus home to loved ones. Together they put into action our new proning procedure and continued to make improvements with each case. During our surges of COVID-19, if you looked around the ICU/Telemetry unit you would see RNs taking on complex critical patient care and being a liaison for patient/family communications, CNAs teaching new proning team members their roles and responsibilities as well as being that indispensable helper to all team members, Arrhythmia Technicians keeping staff apprised of vital communications and monitored patient data, and Respiratory Therapists adapting equipment and educating staff for improved respiratory outcomes.

The nature of Coronavirus is different from anything anyone has ever seen before. Patients with COVID-19 have varying levels of illness but the staff has to be ever vigilant due to the quick decompensation that can happen; one minute the patient is doing okay, and the next minute they can’t breathe and need CPR. The team works fluidly together and rises to meet each challenge as it comes; relaying needs to providers, encouraging patients, and updating family members.

The last almost 2.5 years have been the perfect storm, COVID-19 impacting staff, and their loved ones, challenging our own mental health and well-being, as well as being part of the huge generation shift in the workforce that we are experiencing now. As healthcare providers what can we do when faced with a challenge? Well, we can crumble or we can pivot. Witnessing the ICU/Telemetry, as well as the Respiratory Therapy team, pivot on a day-to-day basis leaves us in awe. The camaraderie, support, and teamwork between our teams have helped us move through this storm and will help us move forward into quieter waters. The resilience of the team after long hours, challenging patients and difficult situations with patient family members, extra shifts, frequent changes to policy, need for safety and distancing, and especially the impact of each patient death, is extraordinary in itself. This team makes a difference in the physical and emotional well-being of patients and families and most people will never know the extent or at what cost to their own well-being. It is an honor to work alongside these team members that continue each and every day to show their perseverance, strength of character, and commitment to improving patient care and outcomes.