Editor's Note: As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has evolved over the past several months, Atrium Health’s teammates have been on the frontlines, caring for our patients and providing essential assistance in their respective communities. It takes a united effort across our healthcare organization to make this happen, as our teammates still face the same challenges managing their personal lives that we all do. We’re all in this together. So, join us in recognizing these teammates for their ongoing efforts as they offer a look at the COVID-19 situation through their eyes.
Daniela Sanchez, BSN, RN, began working at Atrium Health six years ago as a second career, when she worked in a unit supporting Atrium Health’s response to the Ebola outbreak. Today, Sanchez, a clinical nurse supervisor in the emergency room (ER) at Atrium Health Pineville, is on the frontlines in a broader capacity, providing supervision to teammates and care for patients surrounding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
We caught up with Sanchez as she and other teammates were opening a COVID-19 external screenings tent in the Atrium Health Pineville parking lot in late March. With patients coming to the ER with unknown conditions, the heightened concern about preventing the spread of illness. By putting up the external screening tent, teammates can ensure that screenings for COVID-19 symptoms take place before anyone enters the hospital.
“We are actively screening patients at the front door of the hospital and emergency room, as well as when they’re being transported to the hospital by Medic,” Sanchez says.
Sanchez never anticipated a pandemic of this magnitude when she began nursing school at Carolinas College of Health Sciences. While the response has required long hours, she has felt a sense of renewal through it all.
“I’m very tired because I’m working a lot more hours, and there’s a lot going on,” she says. “But I’m in the right place doing the right job, because I feel capable of doing this job and I feel a sense of pride taking care of our patients.”
She’s unwinding at home by spending time with her 12-year-old son and boyfriend, meal planning for the week, going outside and getting exercise while social distancing from others. Like many parents, she’s having conversations with her son to help with the adjustment to the new normal – learning about things to do to make sure everybody stays healthy, and understanding the math and science behind COVID-19.
“It’s something that comes with the territory when your mom is a nurse.”
Healthcare providers like Sanchez are a resource for patients, in and out of the hospitals and doctor’s offices. Whether you’re anxious about what’s going on or just want the latest information, visit AtriumHealth.org/Coronavirus for the latest coronavirus information and ways to get care from home.
Read more:
Coronavirus from the Frontlines: A Time to Jump In and Help
Coronavirus from the Frontlines: Leading a Response
Coronavirus from the Frontlines: Care for a High-Risk Population
Coronavirus from the Frontlines: Bringing the Comfort of Home to Skilled Nursing Facilities
