Dr. Erich Hanel – Canada ??
The challenges we faced in response to COVID-19 were not unique. My colleagues have been affected professionally at work and personally at home. I do think our Emergency Department was unique in our response to COVID-19 challenges. We mobilized as a team, with support from our leadership. Shifts were different, patient volumes were decreased, general healthcare provider anxiety was increased. As a team, our efforts were consolidated with contributions from nursing, physicians, respiratory therapists, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, paramedics, pharmacists, security guards, hospital porters and environmental aids. I have never seen a time when opinions were offered, heard and tested to produce real changes in the way our Emergency Department faced COVID-19. The amount of everyday leadership demonstrated by my colleagues has been humbling. COVID-19 has forever changed our Emergency Department for the better.
