Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1311160
25 PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE their wellness and well-being considering the high levels of stress, acuity and mortality they experienced firsthand. At Northwell, an interdisciplinary collaborative estab- lished during COVID will remain active, including representation from human resources, the employee as- sistance program, patient experience, employee wellness, behavioral health service line, the center for wellness and integrative medicine, site and service line leadership and team members. [Northwell employees have access to] Team Lavender, an interdisciplinary group of professionals dedicated to supporting their colleagues during times of stress and/ or hardship. Leaders also receive ongoing education, guidance and toolkits to best equip them to build and support a resilient team. Team members are informed at executive town halls, stay connected through internal social media platforms, utilize child/day care offerings and are invited to partake in programs such as teaching kitchens, tranquility spaces, financial counseling, etc. Team members can also access the emotional support call center, an internal online resource center, an on-site employee assistance program and chaplaincy support, mental health and psychiatric counseling through the behavioral service line and app-based programs. With caregiver support, there is no 'one shoe fits all.' Different people need different things. Q: What is your biggest worry for the coming year and what steps are you taking to address it? SG: One of the biggest concerns that emerged during the pandemic was that many people delayed care (in some cases emergent care) because they feared being exposed to COVID-19. Although we are confident in our ability to maintain the safety of any patient that comes to us seeking care, and have communicated such to our com- munities, we understand that alternative access points to care may need to be developed and offered. One example is our emergency medicine service line exploring an aer-hours telehealth program that would run aer urgent care center and medical practice hours. It allows patients to get guidance on urgent care matters, and if emergency care is required, the patient may be transferred to our Center for Emergency Medical Ser- vices or advised to go to the nearest emergency depart- ment for care coordination. Overall, we are committed to reaffirming confidence in our communities and ensuring consistent quality and safe, world-class care. We are also working to maintain family presence and participation, as we know this is an essential component to the patient experience and the overall healing process. We continue to rely on our patient and family partnership councils for feedback, recommendations and to effectively lead our efforts through their voice and influence. Finally, we have an unwavering focus on the emotional health and well-be- ing of all staff and team members, so they have the strength and resilience to provide the level of care that exceeds all expectations. n Cleveland's University Hospitals offering sleep pods for front-line COVID-19 workers By Kelly Gooch C leveland-based University Hospitals will offer sleep pods for front-line workers as part of a 10-month pilot program with HOHM, a company that makes the pods, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the health system said Oct. 12. The pods, each 43.5 square feet, will include a twin bed, a priva- cy and sound-blocking curtain and charging stations. They will be available to physicians, nurses and staff in the UH Cleveland Medical Center emergency department. The hospital will clean the pods after each use, and they can be booked for up to four hours, the 18-hospital health system said. "Our UH Cleveland Medical Center emergency department front-line caregivers have been working tirelessly for months to combat the COVID-19 pandemic," Robyn Strosaker, MD, COO of UH Cleveland Medical Center, said in a news release. "In the midst of all this trauma and stress, we've continuously looked for new ways to support our team." University Hospitals said HOHM plans to expand its sleeping pod placements in more hospitals in the coming months. n Spectrum Health offers staff free access to mental health app By Anuja Vaidya G rand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health has partnered with mental health app Headspace to support the emo- tional well-being of its team members. The more than 31,000 Spectrum Health staff members can get a free subscription to Headspace, which offers guided medi- tations, articles and videos. Its content centers on stress, anxi- ety, work and productivity and includes aids to fall asleep and improve sleep quality. "The pandemic has been tough on everyone, but has been especially difficult for healthcare team members who are on the front line and those who are working remotely and feel- ing isolated," said Pam Ries, chief human resources officer at Spectrum Health. "Providing Headspace to our Spectrum Health team members helps ensure they are supported in their emo- tional health and well-being. We are hopeful the path to restored mental health of our team members will in turn have a positive impact on their friends and family." Spectrum Health is also piloting a program in which clinicians prescribe Headspace to patients and has plans to expand the program this fall. n