In a time characterized by widespread uncertainty, health care professionals on the front lines have had to learn to expect the unexpected. For PAH’s 4 Cathcart nursing team, this was especially true in March when they learned that their plans to transition to 6 Schiedt needed to accelerate in an effort to prepare for a coronavirus surge. The three-week deadline that offered time to make gradual shifts was suddenly shortened to 24 hours — and they still made it happen.
“We’d been preparing to advance our single room initiative and optimize workflows, but those plans were still weeks away. Then, our executive leadership team called us to action, and it was time,” said Med-Surg & Oncology clinical director Deborah Drayton, EdD, MSN, RN, NE-BC. “Not only was the nursing team fantastic, but our interdisciplinary partners in Pharmacy, Engineering, Environmental Services, Food & Nutrition, Nursing Education, the Nursing Network Center, and the Sterile Processing Department supported us the whole way. They’re rock stars.”
Led by nurse manager Tony Zapisek, MSN, RN-C, NE-BC, the intrepid nursing team moved the entire floor to 6 Schiedt in one day. The unit was buzzing as supplies were put into place, equipment was set up, and nursing stations were finalized, but the team never let the shuffle interrupt patient care. As his shift ended, Zapisek checked on each patient to ensure their needs had been met amidst the move, and they shared nothing but compliments and thanks for the smooth transition.
But before the triumphant team could fully settle in, the pandemic presented two more tasks. First, they had to operationalize 4 Cathcart as Pennsy’s first COVID-19 unit, overseeing both their new and old units for a few weeks. Second, they had to transition the most complex otorhinolaryngology patients from the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit to 6 Schiedt, bypassing the ICU to keep beds open for patients with COVID-19. Each day brought new challenges, but through it all, the team never wavered from their mission.
“Even when I shared then news of another change, and then another, our staff didn’t throw eggs at me. They were energized!” Zapisek said. “The resilience they demonstrated in a time of complex change speaks volumes. They showed such professionalism and character not just during the move, but when facing every obstacle and throughout the COVID-19 crisis. They are the epitome of an excellent team.”
Congratulations to the new 6 Schiedt team on your new home, and thank you for your remarkable flexibility and drive!
Plus: A 6 Schiedt Success
Not long after leading the whirlwind opening of 6 Schiedt, nurse manager Tony Zapisek, MSN, RN-C, NE-BC, also played a key role in caring for a patient whose cultural needs required individualized care and attention. Joshua Bleier, MD, FACS, FASCRS, vice-chair of Surgery and section chief of Colorectal Surgery, shared the following story with hospital leaders:
I recently performed an emergency operation on a patient with a large bowel obstruction. As a member of the Orthodox Jewish community, they had some complicated issues to manage with regard to diet and activities over the Sabbath.
In the first 24 hours post-op, Bonita Ball, MSN, RN, NE-BC, [ICCU nurse manager] did an amazing job and facilitated a visit with the patient’s spouse. When they moved to 6 Schiedt, Tony Zapisek absolutely shined. He set the patient up with one-to-one assistance, ensured they received appropriately kosher meals, and when a visitor came over the Sabbath and wasn’t able to carry anything, Tony coordinated to have their IDs and belongings managed by security.
I know Bonita and Tony just consider this part of their job because that is the kind of professionals they are, but I wanted to share how much I and the family appreciated the extra lengths they went to. They showed above-and-beyond sensitivity and dedication to the patient’s needs, in addition to outstanding nursing care.