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Originally posted July 29, 2020

On Shirley Ryan ³Ô¹ÏÌìÌÃ91's 20th Floor, the staff working on the COVID Care Unit help patients who have progressed from the acute phase of COVID-19, and need assistance recovering strength, endurance and functional independence.

The unit includes the hospital's extraordinary, Magnet-recognized nursing team ¡ª including Sarah Mulroe, RN, who has been a member of our organization since January 2018.

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I make coffee and feed my dog. We go outside for a long walk that ends at the dog park. The routine helps me wake up, and tires out my pup until my sister comes over to play with her. Until then, I queue up a few true-crime podcasts, and leave my dog with a bone to keep her occupied, and walk to work.

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At the hospital, I throw my lunch in the fridge and gear up for a good day. I put on my mask, goggles, and gown; it is already quite toasty with all the added layers. I get a report from the outgoing nurse, see all my patients, and check their orders and schedules for the day. I disinfect my med cart and pull out the morning meds.

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Patient food trays are up, and I go get them over by the elevator. I pass them out and set everyone up to eat. It goes a lot quicker when everyone works together, and I really appreciate the teamwork on our unit. All the patients get their trays in a timely manner. Shout-out to speech-language pathologist Kate Webler who is always helping when she sees the trays delivered!

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I pass my meds and get patients dressed and ready for therapy, making sure they have used the bathroom and are ready for a great day. As one of my patients says, ¡°Happy new day!¡±

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While everyone is in their morning sessions, I get a call from a family member asking for an update on their dad. It has to be hard not being able to have a visitor here who can pass on information to the rest of the family, especially for patients who are unable to communicate.

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I prep for a virtual family education session. It takes some time because there is a lot to teach this patient¡¯s family for him to go home safely.

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Before lunch, a patient is excited to show off his new transfer. He no longer needs the lift and is pretty excited about it. I help him transfer to bed to rest between his therapy sessions.

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Lunch is the same routine as breakfast: passing trays, setting up patients, and making sure they get their medications and are toileted before their afternoon therapy sessions.

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I take my lunch break. It¡¯s nice to peel off the gown and take off my mask to drink some water and eat my lunch. Eating while looking out at the boats is quite calming. I refill my water and chug it before gearing up again to go back on the unit. I miss my water bottle being with me all day.

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I pass some afternoon meds and do more wound dressing changes ¡ª we have been seeing a lot of bad wounds from many patients¡¯ prolonged immobilization.

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I lead that virtual family education session. We cover a lot of meds and safety and injury/wound prevention for when the patient goes home. It is somewhat difficult because it is hard to show and go over some of the papers while I hold the ed materials up to the camera. Teaching goes well though; we have a good discussion. I am the last education session on the family¡¯s schedule, so I leave the iPad with the patient so they can have a group Zoom.

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I go to another patient who is done with therapy and walk with him. He wants to sit in the Vista and look at the water. I can¡¯t imagine not being outside in three months. I wish the windows could open for him to breathe some fresh air.

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I have to use the bathroom, so I de-gown. While I am in the bathroom, I take my mask off for a minute and get some ¡°fresh air¡± myself ¡ª at least, as fresh as it can be in a bathroom.

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The afternoon is wrapping up. I pull out the dinnertime medications, and a few patients want to get ready to shower. Others want to get in a gown in bed. When trays come up, it¡¯s the same meal routine.

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After giving my report to the evening shift, I disinfect everything, change into my street clothes and walk home to shower and drink more water so I don't feel like a dehydrated raisin.

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My sister and I sit on my brother¡¯s balcony. We enjoy some fresh air while he makes us dinner ¡ª this is not an everyday occurrence, but is so appreciated today!