{"id":3924,"date":"2020-09-18T23:10:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-19T09:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/?p=3924"},"modified":"2020-10-17T04:55:36","modified_gmt":"2020-10-17T14:55:36","slug":"heres-what-its-like-to-work-in-the-icu-during-the-covid-19-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/2020\/09\/18\/heres-what-its-like-to-work-in-the-icu-during-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s What It\u2019s Like to Work in The ICU During The COVID-19 Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Registered nurse Joshua Pananganan at Pali Momi Medical Center\u2019s Intensive Care Unit. He stresses the importance of sanitizing and wearing PPE as safety measures against COVID-19.<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

By Jim Bea Sampaga

The COVID-19 pandemic has really pushed everyone to live, adapt and survive in the new normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost every two weeks, Hawaii residents and businesses await updates on the island-wide lockdown order. Meanwhile, government officials are trying to limit the spread of COVID-19 with lockdown orders and increased testing as the total number of daily cases continues to rise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of writing, Hawaii is nearing a total of 11,000 COVID-19 cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For our frontline healthcare workers, risking their lives and chance to spend time with family and friends are a big part of their new normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the age of masks and social distancing, Filipino nurse Joshua Pananganan works closely with COVID-19 patients as a registered nurse at Pali Momi Medical Center\u2019s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of his new normal at work, his everyday ICU routine isn\u2019t complete without the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe first thing I do before clocking in for the day is ensuring I have the proper PPE\u2014N95 mask, surgical mask, goggles or a face shield, and hospital scrubs,\u201d Pananganan said, noting that putting on PPE usually takes 20 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PPE is an important part of a frontliner\u2019s uniform and Pananganan makes sure that he and his colleagues are always wearing one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe all take this very seriously,\u201d he said. \u201cIf someone doesn\u2019t have it on, we remind each other. It\u2019s important to not only keep ourselves safe but also each other and our patients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to social distance with patients because providing care is a healthcare worker\u2019s utmost priority. When there are COVID-19 patients in the ICU, they are intubated with at least five different IV infusions that are regularly monitored. Medications are given through the patient\u2019s feeding tube. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEach time we go in and out of a patient\u2019s room, we are putting on and taking off the plastic gowns and wiping down everything, which can be a tedious process,\u201d Pananganan shared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working closely with COVID-19 patients, he said that he and his colleagues are practicing social distancing with each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe gear up to keep each other safe. We can\u2019t really eat together during our breaks anymore because we also need to be aware of our situation and maintain proper physical distancing between ourselves,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the pandemic began, hospitals had to implement changes in taking care of their patients. In Pali Momi Medical Center, there are currently two separate ICUs\u2014one for COVID-19 patients and another one for non-COVID-19 patients who need intensive care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new ICU set-up has been tough for everyone because as cases surge in the state, hospitals are also operating at or near capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a little stressful going to work because we don\u2019t know what to expect,\u201d he said. \u201cOur team is more spread out now and caring for more patients, so it can sometimes feel like we\u2019re separated from each other. We also all have a challenging time recognizing each other when we are wearing all of our PPE.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the stress and challenges the new normal at the ICU brings, there is a stronger sense of teamwork and communication in their team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorking together with my nursing colleagues, respiratory therapists and critical care physicians are the utmost importance to ensure that our patients receive the best plan of care and treatment needed to combat this complex virus,\u201d he shared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Families are also a big part of the ICU team. Before the pandemic, Pananganan would always engage with family members, encouraging them to visit often and consoling them with hugs when a patient passes away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, hospital visits are done through video calls in an effort for families to \u201csee\u201d their loved ones amid strict social distancing rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are used to family interactions and having them be part of the treatment plan. It\u2019s sad when they\u2019re not. Also, when a patient passes away, our staff are so used to being able to console our patient\u2019s families. It\u2019s not uncommon to see our staff hugging family members and trying to comfort them. We can\u2019t do that right now and we miss it,\u201d he expressed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pananganan also worries that he might bring COVID-19 back to his own household. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI worry a lot about possibly contaminating others and bringing something home to our families, which is why we are so meticulous with our cleaning and PPE procedures,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people still don\u2019t believe the COVID-19 pandemic is real. But Pananganan reminds everyone that the virus is real and affects everyone without any discrimination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs frontliners, we see [COVID-19] every time we come to work. It very much affects our patients, their families, our healthcare workers and our families. It affects the community,\u201d he explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Filipino community has the second-highest COVID-19 infection rates in Hawaii. Pananganan highly encourages everyone to do their part in following the lockdown and safety guidelines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWear a mask when out, social distance when you are with others and no gatherings or parties\u2026 please!\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cEven though we know it is part of our culture and can be difficult, we want everyone to be safe\u2026 so we can safely do our job in making sure you and your families get through this pandemic.\u201d 

At the end of the day in the ICU, Pananganan takes a moment to show appreciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI end the way with a moment of appreciation for my health and well-being during this turbulent and uncertain time,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe just want everyone to stay safe, take care of each other and stay strong during this time. I hope the pandemic ends soon.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Jim Bea Sampaga The COVID-19 pandemic has really pushed everyone to live, adapt and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&ssl=1",2560,1920,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1",640,480,true],"large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1",640,480,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?fit=1536%2C1152&ssl=1",1536,1152,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?fit=2048%2C1536&ssl=1",2048,1536,true],"ultp_layout_landscape_large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1",1200,800,true],"ultp_layout_landscape":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?resize=870%2C570&ssl=1",870,570,true],"ultp_layout_portrait":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C900&ssl=1",600,900,true],"ultp_layout_square":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1",600,600,true],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?resize=1115%2C715&ssl=1",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C500&ssl=1",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1",1024,768,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?resize=540%2C340&ssl=1",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"info":["admin"]},"category_info":"Features<\/a>","tag_info":"Features","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ICUNurse4-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3924"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3924"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3924\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3928,"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3924\/revisions\/3928"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}