Health care heroes: Teamwork helps patients through critical night
Emergency nurses are trained to think quickly on their feet and adapt to change – that’s the nature of their work.
“You’re used to expecting the unexpected,” said Liz Ornelas, a registered nurse who works in the Advocate South Suburban Hospital Emergency Department, in Hazel Crest, Illinois.
Earlier this month, when a larger-than-expected number of patients came to the ER in the late hours of the night – all seeking treatment for COVID-19 symptoms – Ornelas and teammates directed by lead nurse Kenesha Drummund, jumped into action to ensure the best care and comfort for these patients.
After an earlier assessment of the hospital’s patient census, it was realized that Drummund and Ornelas would need to convert an available patient area into an overflow unit for COVID-19 patients. This meant transporting beds, medical equipment and supplies; preparing the area to receive the patients once admitted; and staffing the new unit. 
Together, ER nurses Celine Farrar and Brad Daniels also worked through the night in the ER and overflow unit to make sure the prepared space was equipped with materials and staff for the comfort of the patients. Ben DeYoung, an emergency department technician, also pitched in and volunteered to assist for the unit’s first overnight shift. 
“Everyone worked together to help these patients receive the best care possible,” Farrar said.
“There are nights when you don’t question and just go with the flow. I was just happy to help out and make the night go as smoothly as possible,” Ornales added.
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About the Author
Latoya Campbell, health enews contributor, is a Public Affairs Coordinator at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She has a BS degree in Communications/Broadcast Journalism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and previously worked in digital and graphic marketing for a public library. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, fitness activities and a good spa day.
Kudos to you Liz for kicking it up a notch and getting accomplished what needed to be done in addition to everything else. Thank you and Happy Nurses Week.