Jefferson COVID Stories
Can you share a story about an experience that has been challenging over the past two months?
Featured Response
Executive Assistant on Planning a Virtual Surprise Party
Nicola Elliott’s niece, Victoria
On April 15th I was asked and got permission to schedule a Zoom birthday surprise for my niece (Jefferson East Falls Senior), by her mom. Here is what she wrote:
“During this COVID-19 pandemic things have been very different and since I couldn’t have a physical party the Zoom party was the next best thing. I invited her grandparents and godmother and few family friends and everyone participated. She was so surprised and wanted to know how I accomplished it. I told her your Aunt Nicola Elliott set it up with your teacher after I let her in on my plans. Victoria’s Aunt Paula took snapshots and video so now she has lasting memories. I want to thank Professor Cathy Rusinko and the class for their participation, it really put a big smile on her face.”
– Nicola Elliott, Executive Assistant, Office of the University President
Hearing a mother's last words to her two sons. Within hours after the phone call, she passed away. She was suffering from respiratory failure from COVID-19 and it was heartbreaking to hear her tell her sons that she loves them and that she couldn't go on anymore.
– RN, Emergency Department
Featured Response
Staff Nurse Theawna Trisvan on Supporting COVID Units
I was asked by my supervisor if I would volunteer to be a support RN on the COVID units and I accepted. The first time I was pulled to the unit I was nervous because I wasn't sure what to expect. Would there be adequate PPE available? What if I got sick? When I arrived on the unit, there was a relief on all the staff's faces as any support was appreciated. I was able to help them small ways that meant a lot such as making them coffee, taking their mind off the COVID crisis, helping with medication, and many more other tasks.
– Theawna Trisvan, Staff RN
Challenging to me was being trained for 45 minutes to work in the hospital and then being placed on any floor to work with staff members you don't know and don't know you. I want to thank each and every nurse on the floors I work for thanking me and making me feel like I was part of the same team when in fact this was not my normal but I loved it.
– Medical Assistant, Wyncote Family Medicine
Featured Response
Software Developer on setting up the Better Together Fund
We needed to get COVID-19 Better Together Funds into employees' hands as quickly as humanly possible, and DICE's ServiceNow team did everything we could to help make that happen. Team members pulled all-nighters two nights in a row to build the form our fellow employees used to submit applications, along with an app that allowed Better Together Fund Committee Members to review applications and get checks issued much, much faster.
– Mike Saris, Software Development Manager, DICE Group
When I received the news that someone I personally knew tested positive, I shuttered. This was the first of multiple people I know who contracted COVID-19. She ended up being hospitalized, and my mind couldn't help but explore the different possible outcomes. Thankfully after a brief four-night inpatient stay, she was discharged and eventually recovered at home. The idea of it hitting so close to home made it much more real.
– Critical Care Technician, Medical Oncology Department
The Labor & Delivery and Mother Baby Unit of Jeff Washington Twp prepared for weeks before the South Jersey COVID-19 peak hit. The day our first of many COVID-19 positive patients arrived we were anxious but ready. Our first concern was making sure this laboring mom and her partner felt safe and happy. They already received education in the OB office but nothing really prepared them for exactly what to expect. The image of so much PPE, the isolated labor hallway, and the limited personnel could have ruined a beautiful birth experience. This is where the caring staff of unit secretaries, environmental, dietary and nurses stepped in to make the family feel as comfortable as possible and to reduce their anxiety. A lot of smiles, education, questions, laughter and listening went into creating a unique plan of care with the parents for a safe and happy delivery experience. When it was time for baby the Labor nurse and doctor delivered a healthy baby! The happy emotional parents watched as their newborn was handed to the waiting admission nurse who assessed the baby outside the delivery room, away from the aerosolizing event. This was hard for everyone because under normal circumstances the baby would be placed skin to skin, bonding immediately. Knowing this, the labor nurse and newborn admission nurse communicated through the door window with frequent updates on weight, measurements, how beautiful baby was, and even snapped photos shared with the new parents.
This was a birth story unlike any before it. With efficiency and care, the admission nurse finished her work and called the waiting neonatologist to perform his examination. Usual protocol had to be adjusted to create the most safe conditions for the baby and staff. At the same time we wanted to be as swift as possible in order to meet the wishes of the parents to be united with their baby as quickly as possible. Accomplishing this took the efforts of nurses who acted as runners and unit secretaries to enter data and print important labels. The team effort to maintain safety and make this birth story joyful was enormous. Only a day later the next COVID-19 positive patient arrived, the numbers following the peaking curve for South Jersey. Since then our unit is less anxious and more experienced, but never complacent. We know the risks of this virus. We also know how to help our patients have a joyful birth story in spite of those risks.
– RN in Mother Baby doing post-partum couplet care and newborn admissions (“Stork Nurse”), Washington Township
At first I was very worried about my partner getting COVID-19 while working in a position and at a company that was considered essential. We made adjustments to our daily routines so they would try their best not to pass things on to our family. That was the worry that consumed us for the first few weeks, how to keep our family safe and healthy so they could continue to go to work everyday. But then all that shifted suddenly when they came home early one day with a letter saying the company was closing and all staff was let go. That was the moment I finally broke down over everything going on. How would we survive? But our village mobilized immediately. We have been blown away by the showing of love and support. A spouse of a coworker who just went through the process called and walked my partner through the unemployment application. Friends from so many different parts of our life have helped with job leads including a former student who helped my partner get an interview at her company. And we have been surprised to find a full home cooked meal on our porch with a note of encouragement. As much as this situation has really challenged both of us, we know that no matter what happens we will survive this because of the amazing people we have in our life.
– Staff member, TJU East Falls
When I think of the most challenging experience for me as a nurse manager of a critical care unit during COVID this is the first of many that come to mind: We had a young patient come in a lot later in the stage of this virus and being almost unconscious. This patient rapidly deteriorated regardless of receiving the best treatments possible. The patient’s spouse did not live in this country. Being that the patient was unconscious Zoom was not equivalent to holding a loved ones hand. When the end was near we watched as a nurse stroked this patients hair, spoke to this patient letting them know how much they were loved and holding the patients hand. The emotion in that nurse’s face is unforgettable. This patient left our earth being cared for with love, kindness and compassion. With all of this chaos going on it has not effected the way my team cares for our patients.
– ICU Nurse Manager
I had been home after having surgery when COVID-19 precautions had started. I was still in pain and as I recovered I became more and more anxious about returning to work during this pandemic. I had been in contact with my manager and co-workers who were extremely supportive. I wished I could be there to help. I had just lost my mother after her 2-year battle with breast cancer a week prior to going out for surgery, so in addition to healing my body I needed to heal my spirit. I was encouraged and inspired by the efforts of my team at Jefferson Washington Township.
– RN, GI Department
The most challenging part personally was beginning of March when the fear was mounting as fast as the uncertainty. It was particularly difficult because I didn't expect that it would be a divisive issue whatsoever, meanwhile I was finding myself desperately trying to "convince?" my family to take it seriously and start taking precautions. I could tell they thought I was paranoid and reading too much news, which only made me more desperate to validate my concerns by reading more news! My own anxiety was out of control for fear of my family's health and safety and I was so relieved when businesses started to close and limit their activities.
– Behavior Health Consultant, Geriatrics and Women’s Primary Care
JeffConnect has provided a window into patient’s lives on the “ground floor” of the COVID pandemic. The rapid evolution of information about this very contagious virus has made it difficult for patients to get consistent guidance on prevention—too many signals! Within some households, this has resulted in confusion, reduced trust, or just tuning out altogether. I’ve witnessed a “misalignment” of preventive behavior with predictable results—more illness leading to more infections, more fear and disappointment. It has highlighted to me the need to develop a stronger network of trusted, knowledgeable voices within neighborhoods to help with “grass roots” level education and encouragement.
– Physician, Department of Family and Community Medicine
My husband and I were at home sick with COVID 19. It was a difficult time because we have to take care of our baby and protect him. Now I can imagine how difficult it is for patients who are in the hospital.
– Medical Assistant, Urology
Coming home to my 6-year old son. As a single parent, I have to be with my son when I'm not at work. I do everything I can to keep my place clean. I'm always concerned that my son might get sick because of me, and that is heartbreaking. My son has a history of asthma, and I do everything I can to ensure he is safe.
– RN, Emergency Department
The only challenge I face as a housekeeper on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit is not being able to go into the rooms to see if the patients are okay and if they need anything.
– Housekeeper, Environmental Services