KCHC Response to COVID-19 - Flipbook - Page 7
Communication
and connection
Necessary social distancing keeps us at arm’s length
from one another, making communication and
connection harder than ever. This limited interaction
has serious implications in a hospital setting. It is
hard to comfort someone without a friendly touch
or smile, wards are unbearably empty of family and
friends, and restrictive PPE hinders collaboration and
communication. We knew that a vital component of
the Hospital Heroes Appeal was to try and restore this
much-needed human touch.
Thanks to our Hospital Heroes Appeal, we were able to
provide 34 electronic tablets, which helped patients
see and speak to their loved ones. It was essential that
staff were able make video calls quickly and easily,
without using their own personal details and while still
protecting the privacy of the patient and their family.
The specialised software we purchased enables the
tablets to be used without an individual login process
and, most importantly, safeguards all personal details.
Neil, who was redeployed from the eye department to
adult intensive care at the height of the first wave, says,
“The tablets have been amazing. Family and friends
really appreciate the opportunity to see their loved
ones”. Many patients are too unwell to communicate,
so the tablets have been a vital tool for sharing medical
updates with family members. The calls can sometimes
be very upsetting for the patient and their family, but
someone like Neil is always on hand to comfort and
guide them through the process.
“
In an ideal world, a patient’s
family would be by their side,
but it will be a long time before
families can visit again. For now,
the tablets have made a huge,
huge difference.”
Neil
To further facilitate communication, we purchased
two-way baby monitors to help staff working alone
interact with their colleagues. Laura, who had been
redeployed to a paediatric COVID ward, says, “I can
imagine how daunting it must have been to work alone
without any immediate support, especially for nurses
who were probably quite junior and hadn’t been in that
situation before. The baby monitors are a lifeline”. Mini
whiteboards and pens have also proved invaluable.
If a patient is ventilated and unable to speak, the
whiteboard helps them communicate. For staff, heavy
PPE makes it difficult to talk or be heard, “You find
yourself shouting and are constantly repeating yourself.
That is why the whiteboards are so helpful. We also
write little messages to cheer each other up, which is
quite sweet”. We also provided instant cameras so that
staff can take a photo of themselves before they have to
cover their faces with PPE. These photos are then made
into ID badges, which means an anxious patient will still
be able to see the friendly face behind the mask.
King’s Volunteers helped
put batteries in radios
before delivering them
to patients on the wards
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