WDH 2020-2021 Nursing Report - Flipbook - Page 4
WDH Takes on COVID-19
Nine weeks after learning about a novel, highly
contagious respiratory virus, the first COVID-19 case
was detected in New Hampshire. Two weeks later,
Governor Sununu declared a state of emergency
and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (WDH) opened
the incident command center. With unprecedented
swiftness, we began preparing for a potential surge of
patients, while at the same time implementing measures
to control the spread of the virus. Remote work options,
visitor restrictions, universal masking, social distancing,
and virtual meeting platforms were just the beginning.
Our optimism, amidst learning new skills, scaling down
elective and non-urgent services, and being prepared for
the worst, turned to uncertainty as recommendations
and rules were changing by the day.
Employees from all disciplines came together to staff
the Respiratory Illness Clinics, Drive Through Testing
sites, and Occupational and Community Hotlines.
We developed new processes and protocols to safely
intubate patients without risk of transmission and to
implement pronation therapy to maximize the lung
capacity of our sickest COVID patients.
Our efforts were recognized by the community in the
form of letters, posters, flowers, gifts, and food. We were
making a difference. We were doing what we were called
to do.
We anxiously awaited a vaccine and felt privileged to be
among the first eligible to receive it. But as masking and
distancing restrictions relaxed, we began to see more
and more positive cases, both in the community and in
our hospital. The world seemed to be moving on, but we
were growing weary and fatigued. We felt torn between
caring for our community and caring for ourselves.
In true WDH form, our employees continue to rise to
every challenge.
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Wentworth-Douglass Hospital