Friends and colleagues,

Over the next few weeks, we are anticipated to see an increased number of patients.  It is possible we may be called in to provide care in a manner or location unfamiliar to us.  

We may be working in ways that we would never imagine in normal circumstances and that can feel intimidating.  

Working on the front line in both the Emergency Department and the Intensive Care Units, I can tell you what is more intimidating is what could happen without your help should you be called to serve.

If this occurs, we will not be surgeons or emergency medicine physicians or hospitalists or anesthesiologist or researchers - we will be clinicians or scientists who will stand together to meet the needs of our community. Each of us contributing to something bigger than ourselves.  We will do what is required of us - and we will do it exceptionally.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1) We are not alone at the bedside.  If we are called to an an unfamiliar area, there will be others with whom we will be working who are very familiar with what needs to be done.  Sometimes we lead by giving orders, often we lead by how well we follow them.  

2) We are not alone in the hospital.  The Incident Command Center is working hard to prepare for the surge through clinical guidance, expanding our capacity, optimizing our resources and creating innovative ways to secure more PPE.  Send Dr. Katie Henderson, Anne Marie Green, and Emma Hooks a note of thanks for the entire command center's hard work, commitment to staff, commitment to our patients and the leadership the command center is showing during this challenging time.  I can tell you, they have our backs.  

3) We will be flexible.  We are accustomed to processes being fixed - we have our ways of doing things.  That is not the way of this world right now.  Our strength is in adapting.  Be prepared to be flexible - with what we do, where we do it, and most especially the attitude with which we do what was is required of us.

4) We will be responsibly courageous.  I know there is fear about treating COVID-19 patients.  I see it and feel it every day I am at work in the ED or the ICU.  The good thing is that we are each in control of our own protection.  We currently have the PPE we need - everyone. Wear proper PPE responsibly, follow the guidelines, take care of yourself, your colleagues and your patients. 

An example of courage: The early Shelter in Place order placed by Mayor @LydaKrewson and County Executive @Dr.SamPage likely decreased the number of patients who will need our care AND the duration our community will be at risk. It was courageous to act even when Missouri State leadership would not.  Send them a tweet of appreciation as part of @AWN. 

4) Lead by example.  Your colleagues and, even more so your support staff will take their cues on how to respond, from you.  If you are calm, strong, cautious and stead-fast, they will follow your lead.  This is our time to show who we are and what we are made of - think of who you want to be before you come into work and keep your thoughts and actions consistent with that mental image.   

5) Leading is collaborating.  We do more together than we can ever do alone.   We will leave our pride and position at the door, we will don our PPE and we will stand, side by side to care for our community.  We are not just doctors, nurses, RTs, lab medicine, pharmacists, secretaries, administrators, techs or janitors.  We are partners, we are a team and we depend on each other.  I am so very proud of all the colleagues with whom I have been working.  I have seen strength, courage and compassion.

I am proud of how our hospital and our system has stood up to face this challenge.  The three largest health systems in our region, BJC, SSM, and Mercy and regional leadership are all working together in an unprecedented manner to align our efforts. 

Together, we have a united front; we are mission focused to care for and protect our community.  We will rise to the occasion.  We will get through this together and we will be a stronger community on the other side.

Warm regards,

Tiffany Osborn
AWN President

Resources:

1) Clinical brush up - education tools: Click here for Custom Courses, resources and tools included with your department's Aquifer subscription.

2) Child Care - WU Employee Announcement regarding Child Care Support is  below.

3) Current BJH / BJC COVID update with numbers and capacity has been emailed to all members - this information will change as things progres