How 3000 Healthcare Workers are Stepping Up During the Pandemic
Healthcare workers have played a vital role in the fight against COVID-19. Frontline workers have been putting in long hours to care for patients, ensuring safety measures are in place, and working tirelessly to save lives. Despite the risk of exposure and physical and emotional exhaustion, these workers continue to step up and provide care to those in need.
In this article, we’ll explore how 3000 healthcare workers went above and beyond during the pandemic.
Volunteering for Extra Duty
When COVID-19 cases surged in the US, hospitals were overwhelmed with patients, requiring more staff members to help. Many healthcare workers volunteered for additional hours and even extra duty. In one example, 70 nurses from New York City, who had already been helping COVID-19 patients, traveled to San Antonio, Texas, to assist there. That is an excellent example of the selflessness and dedication of healthcare workers.
Providing Virtual Care
To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, many hospitals turned to virtual care. Healthcare workers readily adopted these new technologies, allowing them to maintain contact with patients while reducing the risk of exposure. Additionally, healthcare workers have been providing virtual care to help people cope with the anxiety and stress of the pandemic.
An example comes from Call4Care, an international program created by healthcare workers who want to deliver care and support for people at home. They conduct weekly virtual rounds where one of their doctors talks with patients via video calls to ensure their well-being and provide medical assistance where necessary. Healthcare workers are using virtual care to deliver patient-centered care while limiting exposure to the virus.
Collaborating with Public Health Officials
In the wake of the pandemic, healthcare workers collaborated with public health officials to promote public health messages and recommendations. They have contributed to formulating and managing health policies that serve to protect the public from further spread of the virus. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published guidance on how to manage people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in non-healthcare settings.
Conclusion
COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges for the healthcare system and its workers. Despite these challenges, healthcare workers have demonstrated a tremendous amount of dedication and compassion, stepping up to provide care in the face of danger and uncertainty.
In the future, it’s important to recognize the sacrifices and contributions made by healthcare workers during the pandemic. We should also consider how we can support and protect healthcare workers so they can continue to provide exceptional patient care in the most challenging conditions. It is an elevated challenge, but healthcare workers have shown that they will not falter even in the most formidable of circumstances.
