b'CAREERS GUIDE|In addition to setting up various other areas for different types of nursing units, McGinn worked with other clinicians and healthcare leaders to ensure that incoming patients were triaged appropriately through the ED.This ensured that the right patients were admit-ted to the right unit, thus reducing workloads to nurses by reducing the likelihood of rapid responses due to admissions of incorrect patient types.McGinn states, I believe by transferring patients in this way, we prevented numerous rapid responses from occurring on the units We were able to get people out of the ED and We had runners in the hallways that did two up into a bed quickly. We had the ability to get them up to where the appropriate care was. functions. One was to make sure PPE was correctly RUNNERS donned. And, if an inside nurse needed something, At Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Kempf[he or she] could communicate with the outside redesigned the nursing model for COVID-19 patients.When caring for a COVID-19nurses and get what [was] needed. We could patient\\, there would be an inside nurse within the patient room and an outsideput medications, supplies, food in the [nurse] nurse who was the runner. server from the outside so that [the inside nurse] Kempf states, We had runners in the hall-ways that did two functions. One was to makecould pick it up on the inside [of the room].sure PPE was correctly donned. And, if aninside nurse needed something, [he or she] Sheila Kempf, PhD, RN, NEA-BCcould communicate with the outside nurses and get what [was] needed. We could put med-ications, supplies, food in the [nurse] serverstaff are probably sick of the free pizza, des- Here is a biggiemany things have changed from the outside so that [the inside nurse]sert, and coffee. during the pandemic.With any luck, your could pick it up on the inside [of the room]. What they want is for some relief.Help outhospital facility has changed certain things, IV pumps were also placed into the hallwayat the helm. such as more hands on deck and enhanced for easier administration of medications.Here are some small ways that you cansafety measures.You canand shouldIn this way, the outside nurse could bet- helpadvocate for the continuation of these changes ter manage the medication.Nursing usedDo an admission or discharge when youas the pandemic begins to lessen and more a dual wristband system so that the insidecan see that your staff is busy.Or evenvaccinations are administered.nurse could double check a wristband on thewhen they are not too busy.patient, while the outside nurse could doublePick a time and pass out fresh water toTHE BOTTOM LINEcheck the medication. the patients who are not NPO.In caseA good nursing leader can make or break a Kempf also noted that nursing leaders tookyou have forgotten, before a meal ornursing unit or office.Showing up for your on advanced roles.For example, One wasbefore bed is always a good time! staff, lending a hand, and being present for the PPE expert. She researched any PPE thatSee those call lights?They are not goingyour staff shows that you care not only about had been donated to confirm that the CDCto answer themselves!Devote some timeyour patients, but your nurses.guidelines were met. She took face shields toto just answering call lights, even if all you Princeton University, and they printed themhave is twenty minutes each day. RESOURCESfor us on the 3D printer when we couldnt getBe an advocate.Whether it is for moreThew, Heather. How Nurse Leaders Fixed them from the company. help on the unit, getting a patient to a4 Areas Reshaped by COVID-19. Health higher level of care, safer staffingspeakLeaders Media, 16 Oct. 2020, www.NOT SURE WHAT YOU CAN DO? up for your staff.Use your influence.healthleadersmedia.com/nursing/how-If youre not exactly the go get em type ofAnd use it loudly.Your nurses need tonurse-leaders-fixed-4-areas-reshaped-leader, it isnt too late to go lend a hand.Yourknow that you care. covid-19-0. Accessed 13 Mar. 2021.14 CAREERS GUIDE |2021| www.elitecme.com'